Patrick Mahomes has developed into one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs didn't exactly need a signal-caller when they traded up to pick him in the 2017 NFL Draft because Alex Smith was coming off a Pro Bowl year. But, the Chiefs had their eyes set on the future and it's certainly worked out in their favor.
Of course, Smith was tasked with showing Mahomes the ropes of the NFL. But, Andy Reid told him you don't have to mentor Mahomes, just be yourself and let him learn. The Chiefs head coach revealed that because of Smith's nature, he ended up teaching Mahomes so much.
“I told Alex, ‘Man go out and have the greatest year you’ve ever had and to you don’t have to teach Pat. We’re here to do that as coaches. You’re out there to go produce and win games and do the best you possibly can for your team.’ And so that’s the way we approached it with him,” Reid said. “Now Alex by nature, though, was the greatest thing that ever happened to Patrick Mahomes
“There are different ways to do this thing, whether you play the player right now or some behind a veteran player. Alex was perfect for that. Alex did let Patrick into his world without being forced on it or anything and he let Patrick in it. Patrick handled it the right way and didn’t step in the way of Alex as the Chiefs QB and what he needed to produce and had respect for him. So it worked out perfect. I didn’t have to say a whole lot other than, ‘You go play and go win games, let’s go win a championship. and do the best you possibly can do at the quarterback position.”
Controversy came about recently when Ryan Tannehill said it's not his job to mentor Titans rookie QB Malik Willis. Evidently, the Chiefs HC doesn't believe that is any veteran's job. But clearly, it just happens along the way.
The greatest thing to ever happen to Patrick Mahomes was Alex Smith's mentoring. You heard it from Andy Reid, who witnessed it firsthand.