The Washington Redskins newly acquired quarterback, Alex Smith, continues to get rave reviews from his former Kansas City Chiefs teammates, even those who are leaving the Chiefs as well. In an interview with NFL Total Access, recently traded cornerback Marcus Peters said he did not agree with Kansas City trading Smith away to the Washington Redskins for Kendall Fuller and a 2018 third-round pick.
“Man, Alex, Alex don’t get enough respect,ā Peters told NFL Total Access. āAnd they need to start putting some respect on that man’s name. Because I’ve seen that man get thrown under the bus too many times and he took it as a man. And he never complained about it. He don’t turn over the ball. And he know how to win.”
Peters too was traded away from the Chiefs. Kansas City agreed to send the talented defensive back to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2019 fourth-round pick and a 2018 second-round pick. The trade along with the Redskins-Chiefs trade cannot be made official until the NFL’s league year begins on Mar. 14.
Smith composed a 50-26 record with the Chiefs, completing 65.1 percent of his passes and tossing for 102 touchdowns against 33 interceptions. In 2017, he threw for a career-high 4,042 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also led the NFL in lowest-percentage rate of throws into interceptions at 1.0 percent.
But wins and losses are how players are ultimately judged, more specifically in the playoffs, especially quarterbacks. Smith was unable to lead the Chiefs beyond the Divisional Round. As the starting quarterback, he won just once out of four postseason games in Kansas City. His most recent loss came in January after blowing a 21-3 lead to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card. One factor that helped lead the Chiefs in their current direction of retooling.
But for Peters, Smith was not all at fault for the postseason failures.
“That was our fault for messing up the playoffs,” Peters added. “That was our fault.”
Smith agreed to a four-year extension beyond the 2018 season with Washington that will pay him $94 million with $71 million being guaranteed. He is slated to be the Redskins quarterback for the foreseeable future, replacing Kirk Cousins, who is expected to hit free agency on Mar. 14 after spending six season with the Redskins, including the past two while on a franchise tag.
Canāt say enough about the guy…. one of the best competitors and teammates Iāve ever been around. Someone who I owe a lot of my success to, and a guy thatās been a class act through all the ups n downs. Thanks for all the memories brotha! pic.twitter.com/OoGxBeOijY
— Travis Kelce (@tkelce) January 31, 2018
Alex, you are the definition of a true leader and your professionalism helped me grow as a player. Good luck in Washingtonš #kc @Chiefs #nfl #football
šø: Kansas City Chiefs/Steve Sanders pic.twitter.com/CAzLZQKxbe
— Laurent D. Tardif (@LaurentDTardif) January 31, 2018
The Redskins wanted to stability at the quarterback position and may have landed one of the better fall back plans to losing such a great talented QB like Cousins. Smith is well-liked for his professionalism and leadership in the locker room. Peters echoed what other former teammates have said about Smith, including tight end Travis Kelce.
