Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws during warmups before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City, MO • Alex Smith is spending this week helping prepare Patrick Mahomes II to make his NFL debut, since the Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West title and have nothing to gain by beating the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
The annoying part? Smith could also groom Mahomes to replace him.
The Chiefs traded up to land Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft, the first time the franchise had used a first-round pick on a quarterback in more than three decades.
And with that kind of investment, it was assumed that Mahomes would spend a season learning the trade under a consummate professional such as Smith, then move into the starting role the next season.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid would never recognize such a succession plan, of course. But with Smith’s contract becoming prohibitive next season and the franchise in salary cap purgatory, it makes sense for the franchise to trade or release the veteran in favor of the future.
To his credit, Smith continued to put the team first during his bye week.
“I think being there and being a good teammate, being there to help him if I see something,” he said when asked what he was doing to help Mahomes.
“It’s a good opportunity for him, a unique guy though with the scenario we’re in. Obviously, at the same time, staying alert and staying ready.”
Indeed, Smith will be back at center the following week, when the Chiefs (9-6) begin the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons at the helm of the franchise.
“I think at this point it’s a good thing to be healthy. Not every team gets something like that, an extra week to be healthy before the playoffs,” Smith said.
“I definitely think there’s a challenge: You get a week off and how do you deal with that? There’s an element of that there.”
Smith certainly wants to stay sharp after the most productive season of his 13-year career.
He would end up throwing for 4,042 yards in just 15 games, over 500 yards better than his next best season.
The guy known for being a “game manager” leads the NFL with 8.6 yards per attempt, thanks in part to wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
His quarterback rating of 104.7 also leads the league, while his 26 touchdowns and five interceptions are also career highs for a full season.
Smith had been too caught up in the weekly grind to think much about his numbers, but having this week off gave him the opportunity to realize just how special this season has been.
“I guess it’s a reflection of the group, though. As a quarterback, that’s what happens,” Smith said. “I think they did some really good things. Coach does a great job putting us in good situations and having some really good players.”
Either way, these numbers couldn’t have come at a better time. They have at least sowed doubt about this succession plan, and perhaps driven up the market for Smith if he is fired.
The Chiefs could keep him for a salary cap hit of $20.6 million next season, or extend or modify his contract to make it more flexible.
That would only delay Mahomes starting his own era, and the Chiefs haven’t given up on their pick to move up in the draft and select a backup quarterback.
Kansas City could also trade Smith to a franchise hungry for a quarterback. The Bills have a need and additional draft picks to make something work, while the Browns not only have a need, but also have picks, salary cap space and former Chiefs general manager John Dorsey — who flipped the trade that brought Smith from the 49ers nearly five years ago — now handling their front office.
If the Chiefs simply release Smith, they will have to pay $3.6 million in dead money. It’s a big change, but it still represents a savings of $17 million for a team with very little money in the coffers.
But that’s all on the road. Smith’s immediate future involves preparing Mahomes for a game against the Broncos and then preparing for a playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.
“You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a guy that comes to work every day like Alex does,” Reid said, “and to be able to learn from that, it’s priceless.”
