Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Potential Backup Quarterback Options
By Andrew Jones
Months of comments from Kansas City Chiefs’ personnel affirm Alex Smith as the starter, but they’re still looking for a backup as the offseason progresses.
With the Kansas City Chiefs declining Nick Foles’ option in March, the team is without a backup quarterback. There are several options out there who may compete to be the future of the franchise. Alex Smith will get more and more expensive each year and the Chiefs already know what he brings to the table. While not unreasonable to think that Smith will still progress in the offense, becoming an MVP in his 13th year in the league is all but impossible.
The Chiefs need a future at the position to secure that a very talented roster continues to win games. The 2012 season is a perfect example of what complete instability at the quarterback position does to a talented roster. While there doesn’t appear to be a Day 1 starter in the 2017 NFL Draft, there are quarterbacks who can sit and learn. There are also a few young backups ready to sign contracts should the Chiefs look to the draft next season.
Here are five guys the Chiefs should consider grabbing before workouts begin in May.
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Patrick Mahomes – NFL Draft
Let’s get this one out of the way early. Mahomes is very popular in Kansas City even though his game film is uneven at best. Arrowhead Addict’s Stacy D. Smith has a great breakdown of 10 games which feature Mahomes’ strengths and weaknesses. Basically, he is a very raw talent. He has a very strong arm and solid athleticism. He also sells on play-fakes very well and runs a good read-option. Those tools are necessary for an Andy Reid quarterback.
His weaknesses, however, show just why he is projected as a second-round quarterback. His mechanics are all over the place and instead he relies on his arm and athleticism. This causes his throws to be inaccurate at times. Learning how to be accurate on short and mid-range throws could not have a better teacher than Smith.
Sitting for one or two years would provide Mahomes with the maturity and education needed to perform at an NFL level. What should worry fans is the history of the Chiefs and drafting quarterbacks. It isn’t an exact science, but the Chiefs need to take the risk if they want to find success for years to come.