2017 NFL Power Rankings Preseason Week 2: Los Angeles Rams take major step forward

12. Kansas City Chiefs (14)

After only just one game, Kansas City Chiefs rookie Patrick Mahomes II has already earned the backup job to Alex Smith at quarterback over Nick Foles following his impressive preseason debut against the San Francisco 49ers. Obviously, the Chiefs drafted Mahomes with the intention of him someday being the replacement to Alex Smith, but if the rookie continues to play well, who knows if that time will come sooner rather than later.

With all due respect to Smith, what he’s been able to accomplish over the years in Kansas City as a game manager has been nothing short of amazing, but the offense needs more from him to reach the next level. Last year’s playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers is the perfect example of how a better performance on Smith’s end most likely would have resulted in the Chiefs advancing to the AFC Championship since the defense did their part by holding Ben Roethlisberger and company to six field goals.

Either way, at least Kansas City can feel good about not having to worry about quarterback issues since both Smith and Mahomes had solid performances. Defending the AFC West title won’t be an easy task for the Chiefs, and if that’s going to happen, the quarterback play simply needs to be better.