When the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes with the No. 10 pick in the 2017 NFL draft, the writing was on the wall for incumbent quarterback Alex Smith. The then-33-year-old was entering his fifth season in Kansas City, and despite amassing a winning record and leading his team to the playoffs a handful of times, the Chiefs had yet to advance to an AFC championship game—never mind compete in a Super Bowl.
Smith was, however, given one more crack at the starting job for the '17 season while Mahomes developed behind the scenes. The Chiefs went 10–6 as he again led K.C. to the postseason.
