Chiefs’ Andy Reid shuts down possibility of quarterback controversy

Quarterback Nick Foles turned in an impressive performance in relief of Alex Smith in the Chiefs’ 30-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but coach Andy Reid quickly shut down the possibility of a budding quarterback controversy.

Reid was asked Monday if Foles — who completed four passes for 20 yards or more on Sunday — gave the Chiefs more capability on downfield throws.

“I’m not even sure I like the way you’re going with this,” Reid said. “Alex can do all the things that needs to be done in this offense and do them at a Pro Bowl caliber level. That’s all that matters.”

So Smith — who has completed 17 throws of 20 yards or more in seven games this season (an average of 2  1/2 per game) — is his quarterback when healthy, no matter what?

“Yeah,” Reid said.

Reid also was asked if Foles, who has a slightly stronger arm than Smith, allowed him to expand the game plan.

“No,” Reid said. “Alex, I’m not sure you realize how good he is. We’ve opened this thing up for him more than we’ve ever opened it up. He does a tremendous job. It was a shame that he didn’t have a chance to finish off the game plan because he would have had a ton of success with it. Not taking anything away from Nick — we didn’t have to cut a thing out for Nick, so that was a win-win for both guys.

“To think one would have done better than the other — I don’t think that. I think if Alex would have been in, we would have done the same thing.”

Foles, 27, was signed to back up Smith early in training camp after being released by the St. Louis Rams. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut.

Smith, who was knocked out of the game twice after blows to the head, completed 9 of 19 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

He has won 66 percent of his regular-season games as the Chiefs’ starter, which ranks fifth among current, active players with at least 71 career starts. Foles has won 54 percent of his 35 regular-season games as a starter with Philadelphia and St. Louis.

Foles could start Sunday against Jacksonville if the Chiefs decide not to play Smith out of caution. The club believes he did not have a concussion against the Colts but he is still undergoing testing.

This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ Andy Reid shuts down possibility of quarterback controversy."