Alex Smith shares inside details on taking Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes under his wing in KC

Pete Grathoff
·2 min read

On April 27, 2017, quarterback Alex Smith knew his time with the Chiefs likely would be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

That was the day the 2017 NFL Draft started, and by the 10th overall pick, Smith’s fate with the Chiefs was sealed.

The Chiefs traded up and selected Patrick Mahomes, signaling a change would be coming at quarterback.

Despite having the heir apparent in the Chiefs locker room, Smith made time to impart his knowledge of the NFL with Mahomes. Smith shared inside details of those meetings in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop.

When the Chiefs had a day off, Smith would text Mahomes and fellow quarterback Tyler Bray, setting up a time they could gather for “a collective workout, lunch and film review session.”

Each Thursday was set aside for a quarterbacks-only dinner, Bishop wrote, and it varied by week. The quarterbacks could dress up and take out their significant others or it could be a casual meal.

“It was always just QB Dinner,” Smith told Bishop. “Said it all. It was a way to bond. And that’s when I discovered (Mahomes’ unique palate).”

“An affinity for Coors Light, ketchup and Cool Ranch Doritos,” Smith told Bishop with a laugh before adding “long before any endorsement opportunities.”

Regardless of where they ate each week, the night ended in the same location: the Chiefs practice facility. The quarterbacks would study film, then finish with a friendly game.

“They’d head down to the locker room for a game of H-O-R-S-E. But they called it C-H-I-E-F-S instead,” Bishop wrote. “Smith notes that he didn’t have as much on-court experience as Mahomes and Tyler Bray, both of whom played hoops in high school. Smith refashioned his goals, trying all sorts of elaborate trick shots, aiming ‘not to finish last.’”

Smith shares more on the Chiefs, Mahomes and coach Andy Reid in the story, which you can read here.

Following the 2017 season, the Chiefs traded Smith to Washington and Mahomes became the starter.

Mahomes has spoken often of Smith’s impact.

“I’m just grateful for the time that I had with him that really developed me to be the quarterback that I am today,” Mahomes said in 2021.

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