Kansas City Chiefs: There Is No Quarterback Controversy

Alex Marvez of The Sporting News says the Kansas City Chiefs created a quarterback controversy by taking Patrick Mahomes. That is completely false.

In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs made a clear investment in their future by trading up to take quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The move is highly praised by almost everyone in Kansas City. However, Alex Marvez of The Sporting News says the Chiefs created a quarterback controversy. Alex Marvez of The Sporting News is WRONG.

The source of this supposed quarterback controversy is that the Chiefs have been winning with Alex Smith at the helm. However, Kansas City still decided to invest heavily in the quarterback position by trading up to get Patrick Mahomes in the first round. To Alex Marvez, this creates an unnecessary conflict.

However, what Alex Marvez neglects in his analysis is the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs have been very open about this whole process. The Chiefs were very interested in drafting quarterback Paxton Lynch last year. After the playoff loss this year, Andy Reid specifically talked about improving the quarterback play.

Related Story: Kansas City Chiefs: Status Quo Should Not Change At QB

Never A Question About Mahomes

Reports are coming out that the Kansas City Chiefs have been sold on Patrick Mahomes for a long time now. It is foolish to think that Alex Smith hasn’t been at least somewhat informed of this. You don’t make this kind of investment without touching base with your current starter.

There is also no question that Pat Mahomes is not starting this year. Not only did the Chiefs leadership say Alex Smith is the unquestioned starter, they specifically stated that Mahomes is not ready to be out on the field. That’s not just supporting Smith, it’s also putting limitations on the new guy.

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Alex Marvez also claims that the Chiefs have “cut the legs out” from under Alex Smith. This is not true. For all the aforementioned reasons, Smith has known that this was coming. So has the rest of the team. So has the entire city of Kansas City.

Alex Smith currently has two years left on his deal with the Chiefs. However, for all intents and purposes, it is best to consider him as a pending free agent. That means he has his next opportunity and contract to consider. Smith is a smart guy, he knows this and he will play like it. Do not be surprised if Alex Smith has a career year…you know, like he did in 2011 when the 49ers drafted Colin Kaepernick.

There will also be no question of clout in the locker room. Unless the Chiefs start losing (which they haven’t done since Andy Reid and Alex Smith came to town), there is no reason for anyone to make noise about quarterback play. Sure, there will be some fans and media who make ridiculous statements…but that doesn’t matter to a 12-4 team.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made an investment that has been a long time coming. The Chiefs finally have their quarterback of the future. It just so happens that they also have a pretty good guy under center in the meantime. That’s not a controversy, that is a benefit.