The Kansas City Chiefs traded Alex Smith on Tuesday night to the Washington Redskins, meaning the Patrick Mahomes era has officially begun in KC.
After the 2017 season, the writing appeared on the wall for Alex Smith and his future with the Kansas City Chiefs. The franchise traded up in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft to select Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech, which started the writing. Then, another early playoff exit seemed to seal Smith’s fate. It turns out, though, we don’t have to wait on any drama.
On Tuesday night, the Chiefs completed a trade that will send Smith to the Washington Redskins. The deal shook up the NFL and, while it won’t be official until the new league year begins in March, sends major shockwaves throughout the rest of the league. Specifically, it ramps up the stakes for Kirk Cousins in free agency.
However, it also changes the game for the Chiefs themselves as well. Namely, the Patrick Mahomes era has now begun in Kansas City.
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Mahomes didn’t see much of the field throughout the 2017 season. While he was a first-round pick and deservedly so, Smith was the incumbent starter and the rookie needed a bit of polishing in terms of his mechanics. However, he got his shot in Week 17 with Smith resting as he took the field as a starter.
While Mahomes threw one interception and no touchdowns in the outing, he looked quite impressive. He showed off the tremendous arm strength that he brings to the team — a diversion from Smith in a big way — and made some truly wonderful throws throughout the contest, a 27-24 victory over the in-division Denver Broncos.
Next season, though, it won’t be one game for a team already in the playoffs. Mahomes will be the Week 1 starter barring injury, and this is now his team. That will mean more explosiveness and volatility for the Chiefs offense, sure. However, it will also mean more upside as Mahomes, in theory, should only improve and move towards realizing his immense potential.
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Because of that and because of the player himself, the Mahomes-era Chiefs are now must-watch viewing. There’s no telling how it’ll play out, as is the case leaning on any young quarterback. With that said, there’s no doubt that there is a rightful air of excitement in KC with Smith out and the young gun taking over.