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Chiefs' Reid: Alex Smith isn't the problem

Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports

Despite Alex Smith passing for just 172 yards and a single touchdown, he was not the reason the Kansas City Chiefs' season ended Sunday, according to head coach Andy Reid.

Smith came under a lot of criticism for a low passing total versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, and an inability to make plays deep down the field late in the game. Reid, however, was quick to dismiss the idea that it was his quarterback's fault the team came up two points short. He doesn't believe a quarterback change is in the cards this offseason.

"Do I still think you can win with Alex? We were right there to do that," Reid said, via the Kansas City Star. "He made a phenomenal throw on the two-point play to put us in a position to take care of business.

"This wasn't all about Alex, that's not what this was. That's not what this came down to."

A holding penalty by left tackle Eric Fisher took Smith's game-tying two-point conversion off the board Sunday night, keeping the Chiefs from ousting the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won 18-16.

Smith has played consistently for the Chiefs in his four years since arriving in Kansas City, making the playoffs in three of those campaigns, but has yet to get the team past the divisional round. The 32-year-old quarterback has two years left on his current contract.

- With h/t to ProFootballTalk

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