Just yesterday, we learned that the Chiefs would be open to trading QB Alex Smith this offseason, but that they would not actively seek out trade partners.
But a lot can change in a day. Ian Rapoport, who reported yesterday that Kansas City would be willing to listen to offers on Smith, says today that the Chiefs, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Titans less than 24 hours ago, are likely to deal the Utah product in the coming months (video link).
As Rapoport observes, Smith’s value is as high as it can be after a strong 2017 campaign. He set several career-highs in 2017, including passing yards (4,042) and touchdowns (26). He also completed 67.5% of his passes and threw only five interceptions, leading to some early-season MVP rumblings. He also led the league in quarterback rating (104.7).
Plus, Smith has a very tradeable contract, as he is owed a relatively low (for a good QB) $17MM in 2018, the last year of his current deal. Rapoport notes that any new team would need to give Smith a new contract, but money should not be an obstacle to actually acquiring him.
Rapoport named a number of teams that could be interested in Smith in yesterday’s report, but today he specifically mentioned the Browns as a potential landing spot — new GM John Dorsey has already traded for Smith once in his career — and he named the Cardinals as another logical destination. Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM confirms that Arizona will indeed have interest in Smith, though they would still likely draft a QB even if they land him (Twitter links).
Smith himself is not ready to talk about his future, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk (citing the Kansas City Star) writes.
Probably at this point in his career he’ll become a backup. Not sure he has starters skills anymore. He’s had a very good run for a guy that most say has average skills.
He got the team to the playoffs, passed for over 4k yards, 26 TD’s and you think he’s a back-up?
No one is gonna trade anything for him. Teams who need a QB desperately won’t want an aging Smith. His stats are nice but he’s not a starter anymore.
Are you serious? Over 4000 yards passing, 26/5 TD to INT ratio.. don’t think coming off an MVP candidate Year he is a back up
What are you talking about, was a top 5 Qb this year. He is not a backup.
Do you watch ANY football? “Not sure he has starter skills anymore” Have you seen some of the Stiffs starting Weekly in the NFL?? He’s a guy that doesn’t take many chances and doesn’t turn the ball over. Perfect for an established franchise with a superior defense. I actually hate watching his dink/dunk approach, but it’s still worth of being a starter.
He’d be an ideal fit in Denver. Broncos are falling apart, but solid qb play would help tremendously help. Broncos won a super bowl with a broken down shell of himself in Peyton Manning and a green Osweiler. If they had solid-good qb play, they still have the talent to reach the playoffs.
While I agree… can’t see those 2 teams doing business. Same division and all.
They might, but only if Elway pays a premium in picks. It’s an interesting scenario because the Broncos will probably be willing to pay more for Smith than other teams able to possibly land Cousins. Would that be enough to satisfy KC, an inter-divisional rival? Could somebody out-price the Broncos on Smith?
He’d fit right in at Denver! They won a Super Bowl with Manning , a QB who was at the same level at this point of their careers!
Whaaaaa?
There are probably ten teams that would jump into a minor bidding war for Smith. Cleveland, Arizona, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Jets, either Saints or Steelers (if either of their QBs leave), Denver, and maybe even Miami would be ready to offer at least a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him.
He’s no franchise QB, but he’s better than a lot of the hot garbage that is starting for teams around the league.
Class act, great QB. We’re gonna miss him in KC.
I’ll gladly take him in Denver.
Jaguars get him and they’re immediate Super Bowl contenders
Seeing as thou the Jags are already in the playoffs… they’re already super bowl contenders with out him
Do any of you think about what your posting before you post it. It’s like having to explain to Raider fans what Mathematically eliminated means…
What kind of return could a team expect to give up for Smith? He’s still a solid quarterback and can lead a team to the playoffs, but on the other hand he’s in his mid 30s and the Chiefs might lose a little bit of leverage since they have Mahomes ready and could use the cap space they’d get by dealing Smith.
1 year deal, he isnt cheap or young
Chiefs could get maybe a 5th that could turn into a 3rd depending on criteria
did he lead them to the playoffs? did he lead them to the afc champ game? did he play all 16 games?
stuff like that.
That’s how I feel too, but I read something the other day that said the Chiefs could easily get more than the second rounders they traded for him in the first place. I didn’t think that seemed reasonable, but I wasn’t sure if I was just undervaluing him either.
A team that feels they are a QB away from being a serious contender (Jacksonville or Denver) might be more inclined to give up a little more than a team that is likely a couple of pieces away (Washington) or completely out of it (Cleveland).
If you include the franchise tag after the one year deal that’s only 17 then it’s 2 years for 40 mil. With the second year unguarenteed. 17 mil for a starting qb say fro Arizona is actual cheaper then Palmer was this year. Has 2-4 average years left in him. The qb position is always over payed for. Look at history of trades of older eh qbs like smith. I️ don’t think they get more then the 2 seconds but the cards second for smith seems like a reasonable haul
Elway likes to fix things fast. He will be trolling.
send him to Baltimore and get rid of Joe…
Ive heard this from many Ravens fans. Are Flaccos best days behind him?
Not a Raven fan, but I think so. Flacco got hot at the perfect time (pending free agent on the way to a Super Bowl run). I think Flacco can make most, if not all, of the throws needed to be a franchise QB. Considering that and the solid, if unspectacular, weapons he has had around him the offense should be a lot better. At this point, it has to be effort level. Ever since he got his money, he’s looked worse and worse.
Joe OverThrow Flacco… he’s never been that good
I agree. He can make most, if not all, of the throws but he can’t do it on a consistent basis. As much as he has the ability to win you a game, he can also cost you the game with how bad he plays sometimes.
lol I’m not a Ravens fan I just know Alex Smith would play better than Joe Flacco.
Browns should trade for Alex Smith but take a wait and see approach at extending him. That way if they think Rosen/Darnold is ready they can let them mature on the bench for a season. Also draft Minkah Fitzpatrick with 4th pick, then one of the many stud RBs in this draft (Barkley, Chubb, Guice, Love) and I can see a minimum of 4 wins next season
Barring some unforeseen red flags coming out, I don’t see Barkley being available after the Browns draft Darnold/Rosen and Fitzpatrick.
The browns can trade back with the giants, pick up barkley at 2 along with an extra 4th or 3rd, and draft fitzpatrick at 4 still.
The worst thing the browns can do is draft rosen or darnold. Go oit, sign aj mccarron to a glennon type deal, let kizer learn and develop, and give mccarron help in barkley, along the line, and on defense.
Unless the Giants think the Browns are going to draft the QB they want, I doubt the Giants move up 1 spot. The rumors are that the Giants like Rosen more and Rosen prefers to go to the Giants over the Browns (not that where the guy wants to go should matter, but you would have to question his effort level at that point).
The Browns are more than a QB
And RB away from winning 4 games!
If we can get an extra o line men they could easily get a 500 record with there defense and Gordon changed the offense now give him a true qb and they could become a true team.
They’re not a good team at all, but a good quarterback would solve a lot of their needs because they at least have a little bit of talent at other positions. Look how bad the Colts are without Luck, the Packers are without Rodgers, etc.
The defense is solid but isn’t anything special at the moment. They need a couple more pieces but they seem to have a good foundation. Myles Garrett looks like he is going to be a good pass rusher and their run D was pretty good this year.
A 2nd and a 5th for him sounds right.
Alex smith and a future fifth to Jax for their first this year. People say it’s only one year at 17 mil but with the franchise tag it’s 2 years 40 mil which will span the time that defense is fully together. Smith on Jax today against the bills is a 20 point win. And imo the best team in the AFC.
I think he would be a good backup for Tyrod Taylor. They need to get rid of Peterman! or at least drop him to 3rd string.