The Kansas City Chiefs traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Patrick Mahomes with the No. 10 pick. It turned out to be the franchise’s best decision, as the star quarterback has led them to three Super Bowl titles and five Super Bowl appearances since then.
Mahomes didn’t start in his rookie season, though, as he learned behind Alex Smith. Head coach Andy Reid recently spoke about how significant the retired quarterback’s impact was on Mahomes’ development.
Andy Reid Discusses Alex Smith’s Impact On Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs are set to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Reid has an opportunity to win two Super Bowls against his former team, but before that, he highlighted Smith’s impact on Mahomes becoming a superstar.
“I’m not saying he couldn’t have been as great as he is now if he didn’t sit, but being with Alex Smith, I thought, was something you can’t buy,” Reid said per NBC’s Pro Football Talk. “He was able to sit there and watch a guy who’s the ultimate professional, on and off the field, and just get an idea of the lay of the land of how things work in this league.”
“I think that’s helped him in that part of his career,” Reid added. “I’m sure if he stepped in as a rookie, he probably would have been just as great as he is now, but that helped, for sure.”
Smith played five seasons for the Chiefs and had a record of 50-26. He played a huge role in Reid setting up a winning culture in Kansas City and also helped the 66-year-old earn respect after departing from Philadelphia. Given the standards he set and his fingerprints on Mahomes’ development, it would be fair to say Kansas City’s dynasty is in part thanks to Smith’s contributions.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL in 2021 after playing 14 seasons in the league (and missing another with an infection that stemmed from a gnarly leg injury). Per Spotrac, he made $189.725 million in career earnings and currently has a net worth of $95 million.
Mahomes Will Be In GOAT Conversations If Chiefs Beat Eagles
Mahomes can win the fourth Super Bowl of his career with a win on Sunday against the Eagles. Moreover, the Chiefs will also become the first team in the NFL’s history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions, and it will immediately put the 29-year-old quarterback in the conversation of being the greatest football player of all time.
The Chiefs quarterback still has a lot of catching up to do, as Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls in his career. Losing both of his playoff contests against Brady hurt Mahomes’ chances of ending the argument early, but it’s widely accepted that he has the talent and production to challenge the G.O.A.T. if he plays long enough.
A similar phenomenon took the NBA by storm decades ago when Michael Jordon surpassed Bill Russell as the greatest to ever play, despite winning fewer championships. At some point, Jordan’s immense talent and winning ways gave him the nod.
Brady’s longevity makes him special, and for many, he will still be the greatest player ever until Mahomes wins seven or more Super Bowls. However, Mahomes has plenty of time to match Brady’s Super Bowl count and, potentially, shatter all the significant records set by the New England Patriots legend.
With PFN’s 12th-best unit by Offense+, Mahomes will hope to make another step toward Brady’s legacy on Sunday in New Orleans.