Kansas City Chiefs: Ranking every Chiefs starting quarterback since 2000

NUMBER 2: ALEX SMITH

2013-2017

Number 1 and 2 could have gone either way, but I went with Alex Smith here. After coming off a franchise-worst season in 2012, the KC Chiefs needed a makeover. Even though they held the number one overall pick, there were no quarterbacks worth taking with that selection.

What did the Chiefs decide to do? They went after one of the hottest quarterback names on the market in Alex Smith, who was about to be let go by the 49ers. The Chiefs once again nabbed a Niners quarterback to run their offense and Smith did not disappoint.

In his five seasons as the Kansas City signal caller, Smith went 50-26 as a starter with 17,608 yards, 102 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions. Smith was also a threat with his legs, rushing for 1,672 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground.

Smith’s ability to hold onto the football and make limited mistakes is something that teams covet with their starting quarterback. He also had the potential of taking off with the football and doing damage with his legs, which was an underrated aspect of Smith’s game.

The Chiefs went to the playoffs in all but one year under Smith and he always put them in position to win in the regular season. Smith lost to the Raiders just twice as the Chiefs quarterback, which is certainly something Chiefs fans will miss.

The knock on Smith was always that he couldn’t deliver in the big moments, namely the playoffs. The Chiefs did win a playoff game in the 2015 season, but a lot of fans tend to forget about that shutout win in Houston.

The playoff collapses shouldn’t be pinned on Alex Smith, but unfortunately his legacy here to some will be that he couldn’t get the team to the promise land. He’s still easily one of the best quarterbacks to ever take snaps for the Kansas City Chiefs.