Kansas City Chiefs Becoming A Dark Horse For Jimmy Garoppolo

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Kansas City Chiefs remain one of the upper echelon teams of the AFC, but nobody takes them seriously as a Super Bowl contender. Why is that?

Simplest of the reasons is their quarterback situation. Alex Smith just doesn’t instill fear in NFL defenses like most of the elite types do. Sure he protects the football well and can engineer some impressive drives from time to time. At the end of the day though QBs are defined by the plays they can make. Smith just doesn’t make enough when it matters most.

Now word is filtering out the Chiefs could be looking to make a change, and they have their eyes on somebody in particular.

With other QBs potentially available, Kansas City may decide to move on from Alex Smith this offseason, says @JasonColeBR pic.twitter.com/FKRv3y3Ybj
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 21, 2017

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The Chiefs have pushed the Smith exploration as far as it will go. The veteran was a tremendous leader and game manager for their offense. He helped them win their first playoff game in over two decades. However, this franchise knows their Super Bowl window won’t stay open forever. They have to seriously consider trying for an upgrade at the quarterback position. Somebody who can create more offense in the passing game.

Garoppolo is a talented young man who flashed his considerable potential in his two starts early in the 2016 season. There is no telling what Andy Reid might be able to do if he got his hands on the 25-year old. No doubt Kansas City would be willing to find out. The key of course is the price tag. New England already has other suitors interested in Garoppolo, which means the price is almost sure to climb to at least a 1st round pick and probably more.

Are the Chiefs prepared to pay that price? They may not have a choice because it’s unlikely New England would be open to dealing with them. Rumors insist the Patriots would prefer to trade outside the AFC if possible, but certainly not to an AFC playoff contender. Strengthening an opponent that could be an obstacle to another Super Bowl is never smart business.

Even so, stranger things have happened. Don’t forget the Patriots dealt Matt Cassel to Kansas City back in 2009. If the offer is solid enough, they may just bite. Then things get really interesting.

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