**

** It is almost hard to believe, but in 2016, Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Alex Smith will play in his *fourth season *with the organization.

The Chiefs originally acquired Smith in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 for two second-round picks (2013, 2014).

From 2013-2015, Smith enjoyed the first time during his 11-year career in which he had the same offensive coordinator (Doug Pederson) and quarterbacks coach (Matt Nagy) for three seasons in a row, and that resulted in a steady statistical incline during that span.

Smith's passer rating of 92.5 during his years with Kansas City is 8 points higher than his passer rating during the course of his entire career from 2005-2015 (84.5). Smith also reached career highs on the ground in both rush attempts (84) and yards rushing (498) in 2015.

Because Doug Pederson left to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, the three-seasons-in-a-row streak is now broken, but with Brad Childress and Matt Nagy's promotions to co-offensive coordinators and head coach Andy Reid continuing to steer the offense, the offensive scheme remains the same in 2016.

"I think it's going to be great," Smith has said. "Andy is heavily involved in the offensive side and is still spearheading it. I think it's great. Honestly, I like it. [Nagy and Childress], I think, have a great relationship and I have a great relationship with both of them, so I'm really excited about it."

SEASON REVIEW

Smith's 2015 season was particularly special.

Besides setting career highs in a number of statistical categories, Smith propelled the Chiefs to the longest regular-season winning streak in franchise history at 10, and the Chiefs won their first playoff game in more than two decades.

Late in the season, Smith cemented a place in NFL history thanks to his ability to take care of the football.

After throwing an interception against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3 on Monday Night Football, he didn't throw another until Week 14 against the San Diego Chargers. That streak spanned 76 days and 312 pass attempts, second only to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in NFL history (358).

Smith set the NFL's postseason streak for pass attempts without an interception during the Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans. His streak ended with 119 consecutive passes when Texans linebacker Brian Cushing intercepted him in the first quarter of the game.

Smith's 498 yards rushing in the regular season was a franchise record for Chiefs quarterbacks.

HOW HE FITS

Smith is the elder statesman and starter in a young Chiefs quarterbacks room. Smith enters his 12th season in the league in 2016. 

2016 OUTLOOK

If the indication of the past three seasons with the Chiefs holds true, it's reasonable to think Smith could take another step forward in 2016.

Before the team broke for the offseason, Smith spoke about what the team was able to accomplish headed into the break.

"I think we've had a great offseason," he explained, "got a ton of work in, stayed healthy – knock on wood. That's what this is about a little bit, this time of year, just accumulating reps. We don't have pads on, this isn't 100 percent real football – a little bit of a passing camp, so to speak, it's hard to do a lot of the run game. There is the physical side of the game, even for skill players – receivers and stuff – there is an element that's not present as well without pads.

"Those guys, when we do get the pads on, we'll really get to see what it's all about. But it's good work."