Following one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, the Washington Football Team is expected to release quarterback Alex Smith and make him a free agent. Washington went 5-1 with Smith at the helm, but the quarterback didn’t quite look like his old self. Still, he could get better with a full offseason of health and is, at the very least, one of the most reliable backups in the league.
2021 Free Agent Profile: Alex Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
Even with the recent Zach Wilson hype in the NFL Draft community, everyone knows that Trevor Lawrence is going to be the first quarterback off the board. Lawrence is widely considered to be the best prospect since Andrew Luck, and he should succeed at the next level. That said, the adjustment to NFL life is difficult for any prospect, and Alex Smith would significantly help in this regard. The quarterback is widely considered to be one of the smartest players in the league and would be a valuable resource for the first-year quarterback.
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San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith returning to where it all began would make sense for both sides. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t a great quarterback, but he’s good enough to operate Kyle Shanahan’s offense at a high level. However, the former second-round pick struggles to stay on the field, with only one 16-game season to his name. Nick Mullens isn’t the best backup in the world, and Smith would be a notable upgrade for a team that will probably have to turn to their backup at some point in the season.
Denver Broncos
Drew Lock has made some impressive plays during his first two years in the league, but his overall level of play has been below-average. Denver wants Lock to turn into a franchise quarterback, but they need to have an insurance plan in case he never takes that proverbial next step. Just like with Lawrence, Smith should be able to teach Lock the subtle nuances of the position. If he still can’t put it all together in his third year, then an otherwise-talented Denver Broncos team could still function with Alex Smith running the offense.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa had one of the most disappointing rookie seasons in recent memory. While Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow both looked like legitimate NFL passers, Tagovailoa looked absolutely lost during his first year in Miami. It’s too early to completely give up on the former fifth-overall pick, but Miami needs to accept the possibility that Tagovailoa was a product of Alabama’s system. The Dolphins won 10 games despite their quarterback situation and can probably get by with a competent passer under center. Smith doesn’t have the highest ceiling in the world, but 2020 proved that he can provide adequate quarterback play.
New York Giants
After a promising rookie season, Daniel Jones fell flat on his face during Year 2. This wasn’t entirely his fault, as the supporting cast and scheme were one of the worst in the league. However, he will need to put up some wins in Year 3, as Dave Gettlemen and Joe Judge probably won’t survive another losing campaign. If Jones can’t get the job done, then New York needs to have a Plan B. Smith is one of the better backup options available and could win some games in a presumably-weak NFC East.
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