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Chiefs Head coach Andy Reid Admits Alex Smith Isn’t Getting Any Younger

Ryan Ward News NFL

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are still one of the best teams in the AFC. Although they were overshadowed by the resurgent Oakland Raiders last season, the Chiefs went on to win the AFC West division title with veteran quarterback Alex Smith leading the charge under center.

Despite the team’s success with Andy Reid calling the shots as head coach on the sidelines and Smith as the signal caller on the gridiron, the team prepared for the future during the 2017 NFL Draft.

Kansas City decided to trade up in the first round of the draft in order to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech with the 10th overall pick. It was a surprising move by the franchise, but Reid admits his veteran gunslinger isn’t getting any younger, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:

“We have complete confidence in Alex Smith, we love Alex Smith here, and we love the things that he’s done and will continue to do for us,” Reid said. “That’s not an issue. The only issue is that we’re all getting a little older. Unfortunately this happens in life, and Alex is getting up there at 32, and you’ve got to start thinking of — not that it’s happening right now — but you’ve got to think a little bit about the future there. Particularly at that position, you have to do that.”

Mahomes, who was considered to be one of the top quarterback prospects heading into the draft, was the second player taken at his position at No. 10. The Chicago Bears traded up to No. 2 overall to snag North Carolina product Mitchell Trubisky before another team like Kansas City, Cleveland Browns or another franchise looking to fill a need at the position could do so.

Clemson star Deshaun Watson was taken two picks after Mahomes at No. 12. Fresh off an impressive victory over Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, Watson was taken by the Houston Texans to help fill the void left by Brock Osweiler whom the team traded to the Browns recently.

Although Mahomes is now in the fold in Kansas City, Smith is still expected to be the starter moving forward. Smith may still have the distinction as the starter for the Chiefs, but Mahomes was definitely drafted to be the face of the future and will be waiting for his turn.

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