The Facts: When Smith posted his fourth-lowest passer rating of the season in the Chiefs' 18-16 divisional-round home loss to Pittsburgh — and his coach, Andy Reid didn't offer a strong, immediate vote of confidence the day after the game — the 32-year old wasn't surprised when chatter started increasing about finding a replacement. But here's what most didn't know: Shortly after the season came to an end, Reid conducted his customary exit interview with Smith, and the impression Smith got in that conversation is that he would be Reid's quarterback again in 2017.

Diehards Line:Indeed, after Smith was added to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement, he and Reid — who coached the AFC squad along with the rest of the Chiefs’ staff — had multiple discussions about 2017, and where they both need to improve. “We’ve talked a lot, and for sure, the talk was just the sense of urgency — (him saying) ‘let’s go get it, you and me,’” Smith said. “For both of us, I think you realize the opportunities are less and less. You can’t take them all for granted. We all felt like we had an awesome opportunity and we didn’t get it done. So even more so, let’s press on the gas and let’s go.” And if you needed any further proof Smith will be the Chiefs’ signal-caller in 2017, Reid told reinforced that message to The Star over the weekend. “Alex is our quarterback — there’s no question about that or anything else,” Reid said. “I surely didn’t want to insinuate that (was not the case) at all.”