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Report: Patrick Mahomes pushing Alex Smith ‘to be more aggressive’

Alex Smith

The quarterback situation in Kansas City heated up when the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes 10th overall in April. So far, it seems Mahomes is having a positive impact on veteran Alex Smith, according to observations made at the Chiefs training camp.

“Sticking with the quarterbacks, I must reiterate — for the 1,382nd time — that starter Alex Smith is having a nice camp,” wrote Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. “He’s never been more decisive or aggressive in camp, and I’ve heard from some in the organization who think Mahomes’ presence has helped push Alex to be more aggressive, given the rookie’s gunslinger tendencies.”

It was also noted by Paylor that he believes Smith will be even better than he was last season.

This makes sense considering Smith is playing for his future in the NFL. He knows this year might be his last with the Chiefs, a team that traded up to land Mahomes.

Smith, who is 33-year-old, is about as cautious as quarterbacks get around the NFL. He has never passed for more than 23 touchdowns in a season, and he’s gained just 6.8 yards per attempt throughout his career. But at the same time he makes less mistakes than other quarterbacks who attempt riskier plays.

With that said, perhaps a little more aggression coming from Smith will be embraced by other NFL teams observing him this season. If the Chiefs part ways after 2017, Smith will garner tons of attention in free agency.

Mahomes will be pushing him all year, we presume. He was impressive in his preseason premier when he completed 7-of-9 passes for 49 yards and one touchdown. This included a 16-yard long pass, and it’s worth pointing out he had a 40-yarder called back due to holding.

The battle for Smith to keep his starting job, and for the Chiefs to fight the urge to start Mahomes, will be fascinating to watch this fall.

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