Kansas City Chiefs promote rookie Patrick Mahomes II to second-string QB behind Alex Smith

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, the 10th overall pick in this year's draft, has been moved to the No. 2 spot behind starter Alex Smith.

Coach Andy Reid said the move was earned by Mahomes, who completed 7 of 9 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in his preseason debut Friday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Tyler Bray was dropped to the No. 3 quarterback.

"It's not because of Tyler's performance in the game," Reid told reporters Sunday of Bray, who threw an interception in his first series. "I thought he actually did very well ... and Patrick did a nice job, too. It gives (Mahomes) an opportunity to step up and work with that second group and see what he can do there.

"It's not something (Bray) didn't do. (Bray) is playing well. But Patrick has also done a nice job. In order to step up with that group, Pat would have had to (make) progress."

Mahomes was pleased with his performance Friday night.

"Definitely, Adrenaline was pumping," Mahomes said after the game. "You're living out a dream. You're doing something you imagined in backyards when you were a little kid, so I definitely was excited."

The 21-year-old Mahomes responded after the promotion as the Chiefs returned to the training camp practice field. He was the only one among the Chiefs' top three quarterbacks who didn't throw an interception, going 8-for-11 in full team drills and 8-for-11 in 7-on-7 drills, according to ESPN.

"It's being able to get in and function in the huddle, still seeing the defenses and the reads, knowing the calls that he needs to make to get (out) of trouble in both the run and pass games," Reid said of why he promoted Mahomes.