Ex-Chiefs QB Alex Smith Honest About His Reaction to Team Drafting Patrick Mahomes

Despite four playoff appearances in five seasons, Smith realized his “time was running” out with the Chiefs.

Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith reflected on the Chiefs drafting eventual two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes back in 2017, while appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday.

Smith, who arrived in Kansas City via trade from the 49ers in 2013, compiled a 50–26 record as a starter with the Chiefs, leading the club to four playoff appearances in five seasons.

Kansas City selected Mahomes with the No. 10 pick in the 2017 NFL draft, which led to the Chiefs’ trading Smith to Washington the following season in exchange for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith admitted he was stunned when the team drafted Patrick Mahomes in 2017, during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” :: Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports

On the show, Smith was candid about his initial reaction to the Chiefs opting to draft the former Texas Tech standout as his replacement, despite his success with the franchise.

“What the hell were they thinking? That’s what was going on in my mind, like what the hell,” said Smith. “I knew when they drafted him, that time was running and at that point anyway, I was in my 13th year, and you’re not guaranteed anything. Like if I didn’t play good football, they were gonna find somebody that could.”

"I knew when the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes my time in Kansas City was running out..

Nobody talks about his work ethic and he's an immense competitor" ~ Alex Smith#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/WyJAbsBBJD

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 27, 2023

Despite his obvious shock about the Chiefs drafting Mahomes, Smith shared how former players were in awe of the new young sign-callers raw ability and talent.

“And I’ll never forget Eric Berry coming up to me. He’s like, ‘Hey, man, you gotta come see this, this throw he made.’ And literally he’s throwing 20-yard dig routes across the middle no-looking guys. Just rare, rare talent. … It was only a matter of time.”

In 16 NFL seasons, Smith finished with a 100-73-1 record as a starter in the NFL after spending time with San Francisco, Kansas City and Washington.