KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Everything changed for the Kansas City Chiefs on April 27, 2017. That day, via trade with the Buffalo Bills , they moved up 17 spots to draft quarterback Patrick Mahomes with the 10th pick.

But selecting the Texas Tech star was just half the story.

Days prior, coach Andy Reid told then-starting quarterback Alex Smith -- a Pro Bowler the previous season -- the Chiefs had spent a considerable amount of time before the draft identifying and targeting a specific quarterback. The surprise for Smith was just how much the Chiefs moved up to get Mahomes. The Chiefs' effort to get him made it clear to Smith the 2017 season would likely be his last in Kansas City.

But what Smith did once Mahomes became a Chief, according to many in the organization, is the moment the fra

See Full Page