Chiefs GM Claims Alex Smith Is Team’s Starter; Patrick Mahomes Not ‘Even Close’

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs made an interesting move during the 2017 NFL Draft to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech. The move made some believe that veteran Alex Smith may be on shaky ground in Kansas City, but with the preseason coming to an end, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach put the controversy to rest.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Veach claims Smith is the starter with Mahomes way behind the veteran gunslinger.

“Coach made a statement a few days back,” Veach told reporters, “there’s no gray area. Alex is our quarterback. Alex is so far advanced from the mental side of things in regards to his ability to read coverages, to shift to better plays and really play the chess game. He’s so far ahead of what Pat is. I don’t think it’s even close right now. But going back to Pat, the development he has made and the strides he has taken in those departments has exceeded our expectations to this point. So we’re excited where we are and again the longer that Alex and Pat are together, the better we will be.”

The fact that Mahomes has exceeded expectations thus far in Kansas City begs the question whether Smith may be on a short leash. Head coach Andy Reid may be sticking with Smith heading into the regular season next week, but it doesn’t mean Mahomes may get a shot this year if the veteran struggles or the offense needs a boost.

The Chiefs are once again expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. The team will have some stiff competition in the AFC West with the emergence of the Oakland Raiders and always dangerous Denver Broncos, but they could be headed for another division title if there’s some stability at quarterback with either Smith or Mahomes under center.