Fair-weather fans are usually the quickest to boast about the recent success within the Kansas City Chiefs organization. The recent trips to the playoffs, and the regular season riches have been far more than exciting. But, the current success obviously has not always dwelled within the franchise. Before the triumph, and jubilation with the Chiefs, gloomed the darker days of the franchise. These easily ignored days were led by a streaky quarterback in Matt Cassel. After the horrendous four years with the Chiefs, the organization went out and upgraded the quarterback position and other needs within the franchise. This is where Alex Smith came into the gates of Chiefs Kingdom. But, how much of an upgrade was this? Below lies a statistical breakdown to further bold the importance of the Cassel to Smith upgrade.

Matt Cassel Versus Alex Smith: Four Year Statistical Breakdown

Recapping Matt Cassel’s Four Years in Kansas City

No matter how hard you try, the 2009-2012 Kansas City Chiefs era will never disappear from the NFL history books. February 28, 2009 is where it all started. Cassel was traded to the Chiefs, after an incredibly successful season with the New England Patriots. The Chiefs were in dire need of a quarterback.

After the franchise and Trent Green parted ways, the team found themselves without a legitimate franchise quarterback, until Cassel made his way to Kansas City. High hopes followed Cassel every move in Kansas City, and the high expectations may have hurt the chances for Cassel to produce for the Chiefs.

From Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpin, and Tyler Palko, former general manager Scott Pioli went on a hunt to find a far more reliable quarterback to carry the team to success. Pioli struck a deal to send Cassel west of his previous home to help the Kansas City Chiefs succeed. With the season Cassel had in New England, the deal lit up Kansas City as they finally found a quarterback with a never-ending ceiling – or so they thought.

Matt Cassel’s Four Year Statistical Breakdown

2009-2012 Seasons

Through 48 total starts in four seasons, Cassel’s numbers were not the ugliest numbers, though they were definitely below par. The blame does not solely lie on Cassel, as the talent around him was one of the worst rating starting offenses in the league.

As a quarterback, most of the blame will boomerang back to them, especially with Cassel’s field manager persona. Cassel’s production at times, however, was completely his own fault. For instance, in 48 starts, Cassel threw 44 interceptions, which means for ever start Cassel averaged roughly an interception per one game.

Cassel completed 854 pass attempts, out of 1,4489 total attempts, which is a 57.4% completion percentage. Due to his lack of talented wide receivers this is not a terrible number. Cassel took part in 59 total touchdowns, with 9,549 total yards of offense.

No, these are not necessarily disturbing numbers, but they are not the numbers desired by a franchise to create positive success throughout. After four seasons, with no playoff visits, the team cut Cassel, and looked for a new starter to revive the franchise.

Enter Alex Smith. Smith did not have big shoes to fill with the Cassel loss, but frustration lingered in Chiefs Kingdom, which created high hopes, and demands in Smith to turn the dismal quarterback situation around.

It’s Your Turn Alex- Don’t Let Us Down

After the San Francisco 49ers found their thought-to-be franchise quarterback to replace Smith in Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers went shopping with Smith. The 49ers and Chiefs struck a deal to send Smith to the Chiefs. With this move, the Chiefs held a league known name in Smith, and their best quarterback since the well-known Trent Green.

Smith is currently on his fifth season with the Chiefs. In this article, there will be a breakdown between his first four seasons to simplify the comparative between Smith and Cassel. Smith is playing arguably the best in his career, which is worth a whole new article to amplify the hot start in his fifth-year campaign.

Alex Smith’s Four Year Statistical Breakdown

2013-2016 Seasons

Smith came into a failing franchise, and has turned it around, creating a team capable of making a trip to the Super Bowl. In 2013, the Chiefs started 9-0, which was a perfect way for Smith to show he is their next franchise quarterback that will positively produce.

Throughout Smith’s four years, he has had numbers that open eyes in many different ways. Sometimes too conservative, Smith created his own subset of frustrations. But beyond the short passing games, lies numbers that will simply make Smith look like a picture-perfect quarterback.

Through 61 total starts in four years, Smith has completed 1,246 passes out of 1,931 total throws, which is a 64.6% completion rating. With his talent, Smith totaled 9,549 total yards in four years, with 59 total touchdowns.

The numbers do not lie. Smith’s numbers versus Cassel’s numbers in four years show a positive upgrade within the quarterback position. It would be hard to go back to Cassel, as Smith is doing just fine in Kansas City – performing high, while mentoring a young quarterback in Patrick Mahomes II.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Below is a chart visually showing the difference in play between Smith and Cassel in four years. Yes, it may be an unfair comparative due to the indifferent situations they were in, but when there is shade thrown Smith’s way, this chart will always be here to remind all how much better Chiefs Kingdom has it. Smith is showing this season he is the real deal, and there is no slowing him down.

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