The Chiefs’ franchise dramatically changed for the better when coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith came to Kansas City in 2013.

Smith brought instant stability and credibility to a position that lacked competence for several years prior. During his five-year tenure in K.C., Smith recorded 17,608 passing yards and 102 touchdowns, as well as 1,672 11 TDs on the ground.

Smith is also often praised for his work with Patrick Mahomes, who backed Smith up as a rookie in 2017. While joining the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce on Wednesday, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy expressed his admiration for Smith not only helping Mahomes, but the entire organization.

“He’s (Smith) one of the most special people in my life,” Nagy said. “What he did for that room, for Patrick, for myself, and coach (Reid) that year, we’ll all never forget it. I could tell story after story on that season, how good he was to Pat. Because of how good Patrick is, people forget what Alex did in the time he was here. 

“Specifically that year (2017),” Nagy continued. “We all remember, because we kind of took it personally. Everyone was calling Alex a game manager and check-down Charlie type of guy. Go back to 2017, his last year (with the Chiefs), and check out the numbers and tell us who had the highest amount of completions downfield. Alex was just killing it, man. He’s a winner. He’s a hell of a person. And what he did for Patrick and for me as a coach, that was unbelievable.”

Travis Kelce also discussed the impact Smith had on him as a young player.

“What he did for me as a professional, his aura in the facility, and how he conducted himself as a professional, gave me an understanding of what I needed to get better at,” Kelce said. “It wasn’t necessarily the attributes. It was, how am I organizing all this information? How I making myself better Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday?

“How am I setting up my day on Wednesday to understand the entire base gameplan?” Kelce continued. “Watching Alex and just talking to him about football, he gave you that confidence and understanding that he knew everything he could possibly need to know about the defense he was playing. I would go up to him and just ask him questions, trying not to be annoying with it. I just loved talking ball with the guy, and he made me such a better player by just giving me free wisdom.”

Kelce developed into an elite tight end with Smith throwing him the ball, and Nagy landed a head coaching job with the Chicago Bears after Smith’s big 2017 season. The Chiefs ultimately made the decision to move forward with Mahomes as their starter in 2018, trading Smith to the Washington Commanders. 

Despite the lack of postseason success, Chiefs fans will fondly remember Smith for his solid play, toughness, and professionalism. He ranks in the top 5 among all Chiefs QBs in passing yards, rushing yards, TDs, and wins. Perhaps one day Smith will be inducted into the Chiefs Ring of Honor.