Patrick Mahomes’ rise to the top of the NFL is defined by championship rings, MVP awards, and generational playmaking. However, the foundation of his remarkable career was laid by veteran quarterback Alex Smith, who chose mentorship and selflessness over self-preservation.

When the Kansas City Chiefs traded up 17 spots to draft Mahomes with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Smith was coming off an exceptional season, throwing for 4,042 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. Despite knowing the rookie was brought in to eventually take his job, Smith embraced Mahomes from day one rather than treating him as a rival.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid later captured the essence of that dynamic, stating: “Patrick couldn't pay Alex enough for what he gave him with that experience.”

A Mentor by Choice

Smith was never formally mandated by the coaching staff to mentor his eventual successor. Instead, he reached out immediately after draft night to remove any awkwardness and set a supportive tone.

“Sometimes it can be awkward,” Smith previously said. “You just kind of embrace that and be real.”

Reid praised Smith’s voluntary guidance, recalling: “He wasn't asked to do this. Alex kind of let him tag along on and off the field and showed him how to be a pro. I don't think he flinched; he was great with Patrick. He wasn't afraid to share with Patrick. He didn't have to be and he wasn't asked to do that, but that's just the person he is.”

Building the Blueprint for NFL Stardom

Coming out of Texas Tech’s spread offense, Mahomes needed time to adjust to traditional NFL snaps and complex defensive schemes. Smith provided him with a detailed blueprint for how to operate as a pro, including film-study routines, reading pre-snap defensive indicators, and balancing off-field life with diet and conditioning.

“It was stuff that takes your full career to learn, and he taught me that in my first year,” Mahomes reflected. “I knew I was blessed to be in a situation where I was behind him in this organization.”

The investment paid immediate dividends. Following Smith's trade to Washington ahead of the 2018 season, Mahomes took over the starting role and exploded for 5,097 passing yards and 50 touchdowns, capturing the NFL MVP award in his first full season as a starter.

Even after parting ways, their bond evolved into a lasting friendship, with Smith frequently reaching out to congratulate Mahomes throughout his multiple Super Bowl runs.