Tyler Bray, not Patrick Mahomes, is the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback so far

[Deberg_1990]

When the Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes II with the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft — after trading a 2018 first-round pick to do it — it would have been easy for backup quarterback Tyler Bray to mentally go in the tank.

The 25-year-old Bray spent the previous four seasons learning coach Andy Reid’s offense, and the Chiefs still opted to sacrifice premium draft capital to select another young quarterback with traits to mirror Bray’s cannon for an arm and love for the deep ball.

But Bray, an undrafted free agent in 2013, is no stranger to competition. He beat out 2014 fifth-round pick Aaron Murray for the backup job a year ago, though he had the No. 2 spot usurped from him by veteran Nick Foles during training camp.

And Bray functioned as the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback ahead of Mahomes this week during the Chiefs’ first three of 10 voluntary offseason practices. Bray knows that as long as he has a job in the NFL, he has a chance to play.

“It’s the same thing every year — you’ve got to come out there and compete,” Bray said. “We’ve drafted a guy every year … you can’t just sit back (and say) ‘Aw, here we go again.’ I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to bring in guys every year that are competing to start.”


Reid emphasized Thursday that Bray again has an opportunity to hold onto the No. 2 job, despite Mahomes’ presence and the fact Bray is slated to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

“He’s going to compete — I would tell you that’s what he does,” Reid said of Bray. “He’s earned the right to be in that position and now he’s got to maintain it.”

What could complicate things for Bray is that the Chiefs’ No. 2 quarterback only gets a handful of practice snaps with the starters during the regular season. If the Chiefs are committed to getting Mahomes some snaps, it might make sense to install him as the top backup so he gets meaningful reps with the top offensive players.

But Reid also noted Thursday that young backup quarterbacks can still get on-field practice work during the regular season.

“Where they get their reps is on the scout team,” Reid said. “Then you try to tie that in to what (the first-teamers) do the best way you possibly can.”

Which makes the mental reps the backups take — when they watch starter Alex Smith run the offense — as important as on-field reps. And given the way coaches and teammates have complimented Bray’s improved knowledge of the playbook, it appears he has taken advantage of those mental reps.

For instance, Bray wasn’t asked to execute all of the Chiefs’ offensive concepts in practice last season. But Reid said that is no longer the case.

“For the most part, this is the first time he’s had the whole thing thrown at him and been expected to do it,” Reid said. “He’s doing a nice job with it. Tyler is very much improved from where we initially got him.”

Bray says he’s at the point where he’s able to point out when teammates are lined up incorrectly, even slightly.

“Just detailing where guys are supposed to be lined up,” he said. “Getting them to where they need to be and not just being like ‘Oh, he’s close enough.’”

Reid also praised Bray’s instincts and vision.

“There’s more than just the playbook,” Reid said, “there’s doing the things at the line of scrimmage that we ask him to do and adjustments we ask him to make, and he does well with those things.”

Bray and Mahomes aren’t the only quarterbacks in line behind Smith. Joel Stave, 25, was signed to the practice squad in November and re-signed to a reserve-futures contract in January. He’s 6 feet 5, 230 pounds and has a strong arm.

“He competes … he’s a smart kid and he’s learning,” Reid said. “Is he ‘there’ yet? No, but he’s showing improvement and that’s all you can ask of him until he gets a few more snaps under his belt.”

Stave says he’s primarily working on his footwork, decision-making and knowledge of the offense.

“It’s just a matter of continuing to understand the offense as well as I can,” he said, “and then playing as fast as I can.”

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...152686414.html

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by -King-

Other than the Patriots game, it's not that hard of a schedule. We should be favored in at least 6 out of the 9 games before the bye.
Posted via Mobile Device

I could see us favored too, but there are some real land mines there IMO. I think we need to be 2-2 at the worst, if not 3-1 early. Night game at Houston... most likely against Watson is going to be interesting. Pittsburgh gives us fits. Short turnaround from Pitt for a Thursday nighters at Oakland. Huge 3 game stretch. Have to go to Dallas too.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Andy said a couple weeks ago that Bray will start off as the #2, but that preseason will be a competition for the backup spot.

Mahomes just got his playbook. Give him time to catch up because this is Brays 5th season with the team in the same system.

IMO here's the key point...this is Brays last year under contract in KC so if Mahomes doesn't win the backup spot in the 2017 PS Alex will be a Chief in 2018 because Dorsey won't cut all the experience loose and roll with just Mahomes and 2 new QBs next year.

Or instead of spending a shit-ton of money on Alex Smith to have "a QB with experience in the system!" They could just re-sign Bray to a low-dollar deal as the backup. It's not like there are going to be a ton of high-bidding suitors for that guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rain Man]

Being a backup in the NFL must be frustrating sometimes. Bray could be a starter if he went to Denver.

[scho63]

This is easy to comprehend: Bray is this year's #2 and next year he is gone and Mahomes becomes the #2 or even heaven help us , #1 QB.
Never over analyze what is obvious looking for something more. That is what the do in the DC thread everyday.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by milkman

That Colt playoff game, along with the comeback game against the Chargers, is the reason that Alex Smith is so frustrating.

Those games demonstrate that he has the talent and ability to be a big time QB, but he simply lacks the balls to play at that level consistently.

And yes, the drops, the mistakes, the breakdowns by other players all contributed to the losses, so the losses are not all on Alex Smith.

However, all those mistakes combined don't match the number of missed opportunities that Smith fails to take advantage of.

Nailed It Milk !!!

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by scho63

This is easy to comprehend: Bray is this year's #2 and next year he is gone and Mahomes becomes the #2 or even heaven help us , #1 QB.
Never over analyze what is obvious looking for something more. That is what the do in the DC thread everyday.

That should be the goal, not a worst case scenario.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by scho63

This is easy to comprehend: Bray is this year's #2 and next year he is gone and Mahomes becomes the #2 or even heaven help us , #1 QB.
Never over analyze what is obvious looking for something more. That is what the do in the DC thread everyday.

Mahomes II will take over the #2 spot quick enough during TC and preseason games. Alex Smith will be looking over his shoulder all season wondering if it's going be his last game starting and unless he ignores it, it will make him press the ball and not be himself both a good and bad thing.

I think Alex needs the pressure so it forces him to be better or lose his job.

They wouldn't replace Alex Smith with Bray during the season but I think they would with Mahomes II if they think it will give the Chiefs a spark if the offense is struggling that bad. It happens. Teams can say what they want but they will play the guy gives them best chance of winning.

This is Alex Smith job to lose and it's Mahomes II job to take over. It's going to happen the question is when. I think it could happen this year maybe not but sure could.

[RunKC]

After this season Bray will have made a cumulative $3.17 million pre-tax in his time here doing nothing.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by milkman

That Colt playoff game, along with the comeback game against the Chargers, is the reason that Alex Smith is so frustrating.

Those games demonstrate that he has the talent and ability to be a big time QB, but he simply lacks the balls to play at that level consistently.

And yes, the drops, the mistakes, the breakdowns by other players all contributed to the losses, so the losses are not all on Alex Smith.

However, all those mistakes combined don't match the number of missed opportunities that Smith fails to take advantage of.

Nailed it!

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by scho63

This is easy to comprehend: Bray is this year's #2 and next year he is gone and Mahomes becomes the #2 or even heaven help us , #1 QB.
Never over analyze what is obvious looking for something more. That is what the do in the DC thread everyday.

ASS is gone. The only mystery is who do we sign as a vet backup to PM2 next year.

[Easy 6]

Good for Bray, they've obviously kept him around for a reason and from the sound of it he has really matured, and has a solid grasp of the offense now

I'd love to see him play some games this year, it'd give us a taste of whats in store with Mahomes... bombs away

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by RunKC

After this season Bray will have made a cumulative $3.17 million pre-tax in his time here doing nothing.

Good work if you can find it.

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Good for Bray, they've obviously kept him around for a reason and from the sound of it he has really matured, and has a solid grasp of the offense now

I'd love to see him play some games this year, it'd give us a taste of whats in store with Mahomes... bombs away

Having TWO cannons who can start and win on your roster?

Yes please.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Having TWO cannons who can start and win on your roster?

Yes please.

We're finally going away from dink n dunk ball, hallelujah

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

We're finally going away from dink n dunk ball, hallelujah

Don't tell the CP contingent of Alexsexuality; they hate exciting offense and will come through here making asinine comments about "going deep" etc.
And probably some reeruned comments regarding Geno Smith.

Their playbook is the Air Raid offense of creativity.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by RunKC

After this season Bray will have made a cumulative $3.17 million pre-tax in his time here doing nothing.

He actually might be really smart. Look at Chase Daniel, he's made damn near 30 mil in contracts and played 2 ****ing games. Best job in the NFL