Which offensive teammates were most important for Patrick’s early career?

[Chiefspants]

Watching Caleb Williams, Justin Fields, Bryce Young, Sam Darnold, et al struggle mightily in their early career has made me reflect on Patrick’s first three years with the Chiefs. I used to think the Legion of Zoom (and getting a rookie QB indulgence signing with Watkins) was the most important thing for him, but watching Patrick’s discomfort with his tackles the last two years has made think that Fish and Schwartz at the tackles may have been the most important teammates for Patrick, as they allowed him to take his 11 step drift backs to find Hill deep and he’s seldom been able to do that since.

So leaving coaches aside and being able to look back on a half decade of QB play, which teammates (categorized by position), do you think were most important for early career Patrick’s elite play?

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Half of CP still hates him for whatever reason, but it’s Alex Smith and it’s not particularly close. Pat has admitted as much multiple times.

I don’t hate the player, I just hated his bubble screen game.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

This is the stupidest lie that constantly gets posted. The only thing Alex Smith did was prevent Patrick Mahomes from having the greatest rookie season in NFL history.

I think the truth lies somewhere in between. I think Mahomes did benefit from sitting, mostly by sitting and observing. I don’t think Alex Smith was any kind of horse whisperer that somehow took a raw Mahomes and molded him to be the gunslinger that Alex Smith never dreamed of being. Mahomes giving special credit to Alex Smith is Mahomes being the gracious teammate. That said, I don’t think 2017 Mahomes leads the Chiefs to the 2017 AFC championship or beyond. It was a great situation to allow him to sit.

I voted the Tyreek led WR group slightly over Kelce based on memory of jaw dropping plays. But taking a closer look at stats over the first two years, Kelce probably contributed as much while opening up the downfield stuff.

The tackle group wasn’t nearly as important, given Mahomes’ distain for the pocket in his early years.

[BWillie]

Kelce or LT. Protection and safety net.

[RunKC]

Kelce first but the tackles 2nd and it’s closer than people think

[BlackHelicopters]

Security blanket Kelce.

[Bump]

no way it's not Kelce, they became actual friends and they are one of the best duo's of all time

[threebag]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

This is the stupidest lie that constantly gets posted. The only thing Alex Smith did was prevent Patrick Mahomes from having the greatest rookie season in NFL history.

Trust The Process

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I know what it isn't. It definitely isn't Alex Smith

Mahomes said Alex was instrumental to his development as a QB...

[Rasputin]

Travis Kelce hit it off and made it fun for Patrick on and off the field.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

I voted tackles, but the real answer is Reid. Reid is an excellent teacher and a smart football guy.

Some of these sister****ers that know they can't block and still have these dudes doing 5 and 7 step drops only to get ****ing dead are criminally bad.

Teaching and playcalling is far more critical to any one position group.

I was coming to say this.

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Bump

no way it's not Kelce, they became actual friends and they are one of the best duo's of all time

This. He was always there as the security outlet, and was never giving up on the play. He was there like Novacek was for Aikman (but obviously much better). Novacek bailed out Aikman so many times during those SB runs.

[ThrobProng]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Half of CP still hates him for whatever reason, but it’s Alex Smith and it’s not particularly close. Pat has admitted as much multiple times.

I've always thought the importance of Smith to Mahomes' development has been greatly exaggerated, because Smith is such a nice guy and he was being pushed out of KC.

Mahomes sitting for a year was crucial, but what if another veteran QB had been the starter in 2017...would Mahomes be a lesser QB today? I don't think so. I picked Kelce.

[alpha_omega]

Smiff

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by ThrobProng

I've always thought the importance of Smith to Mahomes' development has been greatly exaggerated, because Smith is such a nice guy and he was being pushed out of KC.

Mahomes sitting for a year was crucial, but what if another veteran QB had been the starter in 2017...would Mahomes be a lesser QB today? I don't think so. I picked Kelce.

It’s possible though as Smith was an outlier because he actually mentored Mahomes. Most QBs would have given him the cold shoulder and refuse to help even slightly.

[VAGOMO 4 LIFE!]

It’s Smith and it isn’t even a question, Mahomes has even said so himself.