With Organized Team Activities underway in Kansas City, new quarterback Alex Smith has been exactly what the Chiefs thought they were getting when they traded this year’s second-round pick and next year’s second- or third-round pick to the 49ers to get him.
“He’s been everything that we thought he was,” Chiefs quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy said of Smith, via the Kansas City Star. “He’s a true professional. He’s in his [playbook] every day. He’s always asking questions, trying to get better. He’s being a leader for the other [quarterbacks] as well.”
Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson echoed those comments.
“He’s comfortable with what we’re doing,” Pederson said. “He’s understanding the terminology, and he’s orchestrating that at the line of scrimmage. We’re really pleased with where he’s at right now.”
Looking good on the practice field in May, of course, is to be expected. So it’s not exactly time to start celebrating. But as long as Smith is an upgrade over Matt Cassel, his presence represents progress in Kansas City.