The Washington Football Team is expected to move on from the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith in the coming days, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. ESPN’s John Keim and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post have confirmed the report.
The decision to move on from Smith isn’t surprising. Despite the heroic story he provided last season coming back from his devastating leg injury, Washington is looking to upgrade at quarterback with a more suitable long-term answer. Whether that’s via trade or in the draft remains to be seen.
Alex Smith has two years remaining on his contract and was owed $19 million in 2021. Additionally, he carried a $24.4 million cap hit for next season. By releasing him, Washington will save $14.7 million of cap space.
They could save more if they’d waited until after June 1. However, making the move sooner gives Smith the courtesy to find a landing spot.
After missing all of 2019 following his horrific injury in 2018 that jeopardized his career, Smith returned last season. He worked his way up the depth chart and started six games following the benching of Dwayne Haskins and injury to Kyle Allen.
Smith completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns against eight interceptions. He was 5-1 as a starter. His presence under center helped salvage Washington’s season, who won the NFC East division title.
However, Smith’s season ended with him on sideline during Washington’s playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round due to a bone bruise in his injured leg.
Smith remains undecided on whether he wants to play next season despite reports. If he does, he will be a free agent for the first time in his NFL career. Smith was drafted first overall in 2005 by the San Francisco 49ers. He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. Then, traded to Washington in 2018.
