In a blockbuster move that will have wide-ranging implications around the NFL, the Chiefs have agreed to trade quarterback Alex Smith to the Redskins, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. When the deal becomes official on March 14 (the first day of the 2018 league year), Kansas City is expected to receive a third-round pick (No. 78) and a player who will be identified Wednesday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
In 2017, the 33-year-old Smith led the NFL in passer rating (104.7) and finished third in adjusted net yards per attempt while setting career-highs in completion percentage (67.5), yards (4,042), and touchdowns (26). He also posted a career-low interception rate of 1%, and scored well in Football Outsiders’ metrics, which ranked Smith ninth in DYAR and 10th in DVOA.
Despite that production, the Chiefs were widely expected to trade Smith given the presence of Patrick Mahomes, whom Kansas City traded up to acquire in the 2017 draft. Mahomes’ only real action during his rookie campaign came during a meaningless regular season finale, but the Chiefs shipped two first-round picks plus a third-rounder to Buffalo for the right to select Mahomes at pick No. 10, and they’ll capitalize on that investment.
Smith is only under contract through the 2018 campaign, and it remains to be seen if Washington has interest in working out an extension. Kansas City was projected to be roughly $10MM over the cap next season, so clearing Smith’s $14.5MM base salary, $2MM roster bonus, and $500K workout bonus will help out the club’s books., while the Redskins boast more than $52MM in cap space, meaning they can easily fit Smith onto their ledger.
Washington’s decision to not only take on Smith’s salary, but install him as the team’s starting quarterback, means Kirk Cousins will (at long last) officially hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. Although the Redskins could have explored a variety of options regarding Cousins, including the franchise/transition tag or a long-term deal, the club never seemed willing to commit to a lengthy contract for its starting quarterback.
A third consecutive franchise tender would have netted Cousins more than $34MM in 2018 alone, but he’ll now be free to possibly double that figure in guaranteed money on his next contract. The Jets were the most recent team to be linked to a Cousins pursuit, while club such as the Bronco, Browns, and Cardinals could also make sense as potential landing spots.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, are now facing something of a restart on offense a year after ranking fourth in DVOA, fifth in yards, and sixth in points. In addition to Mahomes now being under center, Kansas City will be without offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who is now the Bears’ head coach. Former running backs coach Eric Bieniemy has since been promoted to OC, while head coach Andy Reid will personally direct Mahomes as the club’s play-caller.
[RELATED: Chiefs Depth Chart]
What
Holy balls.
what!?!?!?!? that’s crazy!!!!
Cousins to Denver!
so where does Cousins go!?!?!?
Denver
CLEVELAND!!
What about Jacksonville?
Kirk Cousins in orange & brown!
JETs get cousin’s
1st round pick? please?
Wow! Did not see this coming at all! So needless to say Cousins is a goner. But I and this. Where the heck is Cousins going? I can’t wait to find out. God I love the NFL and even though the season is about to be over the offseason is just as fun to me because I love watching all the trades, signings, rumors, draft picks and watching expectations rise for certain teams and wondering if they’ll be able to live up to those expectations. This is a crazy trade to me, I can’t help but wonder if the Redskins still try to draft a QB.
I bet they have a tag and trade deal in place with the browns already.
I actually think you’re right..that wouldn’t surprise me at all.
That would be great for the Skins. They need to get something out of him, especially with giving up a pick or picks.
go back up in New England and then win a super bowl when Brad retires!
That Brad. Always getting in the way. He should be more like Brady.
They could always keep Cousins and cut Smith.
Why would they trade for him to cut him. Smh.
Why would they sign him to a 4 yr. extension
Then cut him! Dumb!
Smith is so underrated it’s crazy.. Putting your cards in Mahomes over Smith is completely stupid! Unless you got 2 number one picks?!
They already put their cards in Mahomes on draft night last year. Everyone under the sun knew this was coming. Except you apparently.
Smith isn’t underrated. He’s a good QB, a guy you can feel comfortable with leading your team, but he’s not one of the top 10 QBs in the league. He doesn’t have that great of an arm (accurate but not strong) and doesn’t throw the deep ball as much as he could/should have considering he had Kelce and Hill. He’s a West Coast system QB, which made him look better in KC since Andy Reid runs a West Coast offense. Not saying he can’t be successful in Washington, but Gruden has gotten on Cousins’ case for not throwing the deep ball enough and that is something that doesn’t play to Smith’s skillset. He also seemed to disappear during the playoffs. Whether that was because of the pressure getting to him or the playcalling be bad, who knows, but moving to Mahomes is the smart move. The Chiefs weren’t going to get any better with Smith at QB and Mahomes expands the playbook by a lot with his arm and athleticism. He’s also cheaper so he allows the Chiefs to spend the money saved from Smith’s contract into other areas.
Whomst
Whomst’d’ve
as an eagles fan, id rather smith than cousins, cousins prolly is asking 2 much
Cousins makes the most sense in Denver. If I was him I would demand the use of their first two picks on a rb and o-lineman. A HUGE threat to the pats in the AFC
I dont think they would challenge the Patriots?? they had Hunt in Kansas City with Smith and an amazing defense and still couldnt stop the Patriots so how could they now?
they beat the patriots? and I mean the broncos would be a threat with cousins
I mean the broncos would be a threat with cousins
Cousins to SF, Garoppolo somewhere else. He’ll be back in NE in 3 years
Jimmy isn’t going anywhere.
Yeah because he doesn’t kno dey wey.
I also think Jacksonville would be a better option for cousins but the latest reports say they want to retain bortles. This could change their plans though
Arizona should seriously consider cousins rn. Drafting might not work out unless they trade up
Cousins wont go to arizona. Too little cap space
yes Kansas City beat New England in week 1.. but I have no doubt that if they met in the playoffs the Patriots would have won
Probably the coldest hot take of all time…I hate the Patriots but they would have beaten the Chiefs like a drum in a playoff game
Not even the offseason yet and there are more moves going on in the NFL than in MLB.
You don’t follow the MLB then huh? Brewers making moves.
Redskins just signed Smith to a 4 year deal
They can’t, can they? The trade can’t be finalized until the new season begins.
@thomps07 idk man the report just came through like 5 minutes ago saying they did or are going to I guess
I stand corrected…. apparently they can.
What? Sure they can !
C’mon Dorsey, get it done!
I just want to know what the chiefs are getting back for him ??
Schefter says a 2nd round pick, a player and possibly more.
Updated. 3rd round pick and player.
3rd rd and Kendall Fuller
Insane
I can see Broncos as Cousins choice for competing.
Jets well they’re the Jets and the Patriots are still in the East.
Cardinals have the Rams, Seahawks and up and coming 49ers with Jimmy G to compete with. And Fitz could retire soon.
Broncos can trade Simians modest salary for an extra draft pick for someone wanting a back up. They can focus on building a oline and running game. SD has no one to replace Rivers. Oakland/Vegas we’ll see and the Chiefs are rebooting. Denver is ideal for Cousins and is loved by Mike Shanahan who is close to Elway
Cousins loves the new Jets GM and has worked with him before. He also stated he can handle the New York media. This looks like a very possible move for him!
Jets also can draft and spend plenty of free agent cap money to build around him.
Wonder if the sent a pack of ramen with Smith to Washington. That would make perfect sense for his throwing arm.