Washington Football Team releases quarterback Alex Smith, source says

[Auggie]

Quarterback Alex Smith, who won the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in helping the Washington Football Team win the NFC East title, is being released by the franchise, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.

Washington, which went 7-9 in 2020, wants to upgrade at quarterback this offseason and, with Smith turning 37 years old in May and due to count $24.4 million against the salary cap, a release became inevitable.

The move will save Washington $14.9 million against the cap, while Smith becomes a free agent.

Smith had two years left on a contract he signed after Washington traded for him in 2018. He made it clear to Washington he wanted to continue playing. 

MORE: https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/30997113/nfl-mock-draft-2021-todd-mcshay-predictions-all-32-first-round-picks-heading-nfl-free-agency

Some pundits in San Francisco have him backing up Garappolo on the 49ers. I think it should someone be younger.

[exboyfil]

1. I don't see him backing up a veteran

Backing up a young QB would be a much better position for him. Miami has been mentioned if Fitzgerald goes to another team. Cincinnati would also be another good location. You would want him backing up a more prototypical pocket QB.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. He's lucky he didn't lose a leg. Maybe it's time to retire and become an analyst.

Well, that wasn't luck involved, more like access to a whole bunch of skilled people.

[Auggie]

3. Yeah. He can just retire too. $mith is loaded.

[Brother Buzz]

4. Alex Smith is packing it in

Alex Smith, reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year, announces retirement from football

Longtime quarterback Alex Smith announced his NFL retirement Monday, capping a 16-year journey that started as a No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and ended after his improbable return from a gruesome injury.

Smith, who will turn 37 next month, announced his decision in a two-minute, 12-second video posted to Instagram, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. He was released by the Washington Football Team last month but was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2020 for getting back on the field after an injury two years earlier that nearly cost him his right leg.

"Even though I've got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I've got, I can't wait to see what else is possible," Smith said in the video. "But first, I'll take a little time to enjoy a few of those walks with my wife, and my kids have no idea what's coming for them in the backyard."

After he suffered a compound leg fracture in November 2018, many assumed Smith's career was over. He required 17 surgeries to stem an infection in his right leg, which was nearly amputated. He needed to wear an external fixator on his leg for eight months and developed drop foot.

-snip-

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31289953/alex-smith-reigning-nfl-comeback-player-year-announces-retirement-football

The 2:12 minute video is at the link

I grew to like Smith, and followed his career, but I'm still totally pissed at the 49ers for passing on Aaron Rodgers and drafting Alex Smith instead. Would have, could have, should have been!

[Auggie]

5. Saw that

And yes, I am still pissed too.

Hard to say how Rodgers might have fared under the same scenario -- weak team, seven different coordinators, bad coach, etc. Maybe because he was deemed "not as ready as Smith" he might have sat on the bench longer too.

S.F. has a chance to do it all over again in a few days.

[Brother Buzz]

6. Aaron Rodgers is wicked smart and adaptable

It's fair to say he would have been a better than average quarterback, even though he may not have racked up his phenomenal numbers until they made the changes and built a team around him.

[fuck trumpettes]

9. Aaron Rogers

Rogers is all that Brother Buzz. One thing hes' not tho' and will never be is the New game host for Jeopardy. It pains me some because im a Pro football and sports fan, but Aaron showed himselt to be very businesslike and precise(good) but also pretty unemotional and uncaring in the manner of an Alex would have been. Now don't get me wrong, Aaron is smart and ranks as one of the top QBs of all time. I was glad when his guest star stunt was over on Jeopardy though.

[Brother Buzz]

10. Aaron's first day of filming, although technically spot on, was kinda lackluster....

Jeopardy! producer, Mike Richards put the buzz in his ear, and Aaron Rodgers being wicked smart and adaptable, adapted.

Aaron Rodgers' witty performance on the second day personified exactly what Alex Trebek preached about in his memoir, "Jeopardy is all abort the contestants, not the host". It helps that the sound boys upped their game and dialed in Arron's voice better, too.

[Maxheader]

7. Alex..

Congratulations...Have great retirement. And thanks for

the great games at KC....

[fuck trumpettes]

8. Hail to Alex Smith-

Alex Smith was injured playing quarterback for the Washington Redskins and will go down in history as the last great Quarterback of the storied franchise. He returned to the Washington Football Team and in departing that team, is the First Great Quarterback of the WFT departing it. He will live in history for these two things forever. But, it will be his will, guts and preseverence that have defined him. Winner of last years Comeback player award he faced paralysis, amputation and death, not to mention the end of a fabled football career with Kansas City and Washington. I know his name will be placed if not already there in Washington's 'Ring of Honor'. I salute you Alex. Live Long and Prosper.