The story of the 2017 Chiefs’ quarterback room is well-told in Kansas City. After the team traded up to No. 10 to select Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech, the incumbent starting quarterback, Alex Smith, was told he would be the starter for the season as Mahomes learned what it meant to be a professional football player.
Smith handled it like — well, a pro. In years past, head coach Andy Reid has said that Mahomes owed Smith a mansion for what that year meant for his growth. Rather than look at the rookie Mahomes as a competitor, Smith took him under his wing.