The Washington Football Team will save nearly $ 15 million by launching quarterback Alex Smith in the coming days. After the split, current NFC East champions will officially begin their search for a new signal caller, combing all avenues – commerce, free agency, the draft – to replace the 2020 Player of the Year on Comeback. But what about Smith? The 36-year-old veteran is not 100% committed to returning, but after indicating that he still has plenty of gas in his tank, it’s safe to bet that he will explore new opportunities in 2021.
Where, exactly, can the ex-holder end up? Even in a defined off-season period for an unprecedented QB movement, it is not difficult to identify some of Smith’s most logical suitors. Here are eight of them:
With Jacoby Brissett probably out the door, the Colts have only Jacob Eason behind Carson Wentz on the renewed QB depth chart. That means problems in the case of Wentz, who has a history of injuries, falling. And we know that Indy is committed to winning sooner or later. The Colts also have a lot of money. Still, there are probably better alternatives at a similar price.
That depends a lot on the Texans negotiating with Deshaun Watson, in which case they will be looking for any QB they can find to ward off angry fans and / or win back the downed ones. As a bonus, new coach David Culley worked with Smith in Kansas City.
In terms of connections, the Bears are at the top of the list. Coach Matt Nagy worked with Smith during his time with the Chiefs, Chicago is desperate for as many QBs as he can and, at worst, current reserve Nick Foles has sat behind Smith before. Still, there is no way the Bears should or would make him a candidate to begin with (or would they?), And it would be better to keep Bellows as number 2.
With Drew Brees’ retirement forecast, the Saints will have a hard time finding enough salary cap flexibility to add a premier replacement. Smith shouldn’t be plan A, B, C or even D when it comes to filling Brees’s initial role, but if anyone can milk what’s left of his arm, it’s probably Sean Payton and the New Orleans fast attack system . At worst, it would be a solid backup for Jameis Winston.
Do not try to convince us that the Pats will not continue to call the Niners about Jimmy Garoppolo. But if San Francisco doesn’t really move, Smith makes a lot of sense in New England as a replacement and / or mentor for a newbie. His arm is not as special today, but neither is Cam Newton’s in 2020. As a short-term option, it simply cannot be ruled out.
Joe Burrow is the unquestionable man in Cincy, but the reserve situation is much more bleak, with the main reserve Brandon Allen set to hit the market and only Ryan Finley in tow as a potential No. 3. Smith is exactly the type of veteran who you want a rising figure like Burrow behind – competent enough for an emergency start, but mostly used as a teacher.
Ryan Fitzpatrick seems very likely to test the free agency and get a better offer elsewhere, so the Dolphins will be looking for a new and experienced No. 2 behind Your Tagovailoa. Smith, it seems, is much more in line with Tua than Fitz in terms of playing style. He will not win games for you to relieve, but his experience in the short area may serve Tagovailoa well.
The basic. The new Jags coach, Urban Meyer, was Smith’s head coach in Utah from 2003 to 2004, both seasons of the QB as a starter before reaching No. 1 overall for the 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft. With the consensus of the best QB outlook, Trevor Lawrence likely going to his original position in Jacksonville, who better to implement Meyer’s system and mentor the newbie than Smith? Jacksonville also has money to spend.