Head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Smith will still be the Chiefs' starting quarterback despite the team's selection of Pat Mahomes at No. 10 overall, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports. "I don't worry about Alex on this," Reid said. "Alex knows we trust him. Alex is the starting quarterback. Nothing is going to change there. The kid is going to take some time. He understands that.

EDGE Analysis

While Mahomes presumably won't challenge Smith for the Week 1 starting job, the Chiefs' decision to give up three early-round picks for the young quarterback means there will be pressure to make a mid-season change if the team doesn't live up to expectations early in the year. It does seem the Chiefs are well positioned to avoid such a scenario, with Smith coming off a strong 2016 season and surrounded by the best supporting cast he's had since arriving in Kansas City. The larger concern is Smith's future beyond 2017, as his contract only runs through 2018 and doesn't have any guaranteed payments left. Given what the team surrendered in Thursday's trade, Mahomes likely will be groomed to take over the starting job in 2018. Smith will celebrate his 33rd birthday in May, but he could still be a valuable trade chip next offseason as a potential one-year stopgap with a reasonable salary.