Alex Smith Calls Out Chiefs’ Struggles: “Mahomes Was Out There on His Own—They Have a Lot to Fix!”
Alex Smith Calls Out Chiefs’ Struggles: “Mahomes Was Out There on His Own—They Have a Lot to Fix!”
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith didn’t hold back when analyzing his former team’s performance in the Super Bowl. While Patrick Mahomes delivered yet another heroic effort, leading the Chiefs to a near-miraculous victory, Smith believes the star quarterback was “out there on his own” and that Kansas City has major issues to address this offseason.
Speaking on a post-game analysis show, Smith praised Mahomes’ resilience but was brutally honest about the struggles he saw. “The guy was running for his life half the time,” he said. “Yes, he’s a generational talent, but at some point, you have to ask yourself—how much more can he do alone? The Chiefs have a lot to figure out this offseason if they want to stay on top.”
One of the biggest issues Smith pointed to was the Chiefs’ inconsistent offensive line. Despite holding up in key moments, there were stretches where Mahomes was forced to extend plays on his own, taking unnecessary hits and scrambling to make magic happen. “He can make things look effortless, but that doesn’t mean it should be this hard,” Smith noted. “If Kansas City doesn’t shore up that protection, they’re going to shorten his career.”
Another glaring weakness? The wide receiver corps. All season long, the Chiefs struggled with dropped passes, miscommunications, and a lack of reliable playmakers outside of Travis Kelce. Smith highlighted how this issue was even more apparent under the bright lights of the Super Bowl. “It’s unacceptable,” he said. “You can’t expect one guy—whether it’s Mahomes or Kelce—to do everything. Someone has to step up, or the front office needs to go find new guys who will.”
Smith also took aim at the play-calling and offensive scheme. While Andy Reid remains one of the best coaches in the game, Smith believes the Chiefs have relied too heavily on Mahomes’ improvisation rather than designing plays that consistently put him in the best position to succeed. “You can’t just keep asking Mahomes to pull off miracles,” he warned. “At some point, defenses adjust, and the margin for error disappears.”
Defensively, the Chiefs had their moments, but Smith pointed out that the lack of consistent pass rush and late-game breakdowns put even more pressure on Mahomes to be perfect. “The defense has been great all year, but when it mattered most, they couldn’t get off the field,” he said. “And that forced Mahomes into a situation where he had to be Superman again. That’s not sustainable.”
Looking ahead, Smith emphasized that the Chiefs’ front office has crucial decisions to make. Whether it’s signing a true No. 1 receiver, bolstering the offensive line, or making strategic coaching adjustments, he believes changes must come if the team wants to avoid burning out their superstar quarterback. “Mahomes will never complain, but the Chiefs owe it to him to put a better team around him,” Smith stated.
His comments sparked debate among analysts and fans alike. Some agreed, arguing that Kansas City has leaned too heavily on Mahomes’ greatness, while others pushed back, saying the Chiefs still have one of the best rosters in the league. Regardless, the reality remains—if Kansas City wants to maintain its dynasty, improvements must be made.
As the offseason looms, all eyes will be on the Chiefs’ front office. Will they make the necessary moves to strengthen the roster, or will they continue to rely on Mahomes’ ability to defy the odds? One thing is certain—if they don’t act fast, the rest of the league will be ready to exploit their weaknesses.
For now, Mahomes may be the best player in football, but even the best need help. And as Alex Smith pointed out, if the Chiefs don’t step up, they risk wasting a generational talent in his prime.
