The Rollercoaster Life of Football Superstar Patrick Mahomes

Instead of rushing Mahomes into action, the Chiefs let him sit behind veteran quarterback Alex Smith in 2017. It was a valuable year of learning, where Mahomes studied Andy Reid’s complex offense, sharpened his mechanics, and adjusted to the speed of the NFL without the pressure of starting.

He only played one game that year, a Week 17 win against the Denver Broncos, but it gave a glimpse of his potential. Watching Smith manage games with poise while absorbing Reid’s system prepared Mahomes to take over in 2018. The patience would pay off almost immediately.