Kansas City Chiefs

OC Pederson: Chiefs have to 'rethink' short passing philosophy

Published Jun. 8, 2015 11:29 p.m. ET

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Alex Smith isn't exactly known as a risk taker with the football.

But this offseason, the Chiefs are moving away from Smith's brand of conservative quarterbacking and moving toward a scheme primed for more big passing plays.

"You do want to be aggressive," Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson told ESPN. "You’ve got to stay on the edge of aggression. We’ve got to sort of retrain, rethink just a little bit."

It doesn't all fall on Smith. The Chiefs failed to surround their quarterback with enough capable targets last season and it showed.

That's why Pederson and quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy think Smith can cut it loose this season. Their quarterback has Jeremy Maclin, an up-and-coming Albert Wilson, and De'Anthony Thomas at receiver now. Travis Kelce looks ready to achieve elite status at tight end, too.

"When the throw is there, you make it," Peterson said of his team's new philosophy. "That's part of what we teach."

The other part? It involves Smith connecting on more deep throws in 2015, because if he doesn't, Pederson might coach someone who can in 2016.

(h/t ProFootballTalk)