[UPDATE: Chiefs Expected To Trade Alex Smith]
It sounds like trade rumors will hound quarterback Alex Smith once again. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Chiefs will be open to trading the signal-caller this offseason. The reporter notes that the front office won’t “actively seek out trade partners,” but they’ll listen to any inquiries.
Considering the veteran’s age and the presence of 2017 first-rounder Patrick Mahomes, Smith was mentioned in trade rumors last offseason. At the time, head coach Andy Reid and ownership offered their public support for the aging quarterback, and Smith responded with one of the best seasons of his career. The 33-year-old set several career-highs in 2017, including passing yards (4,042) and touchdowns (26). He also completed 67.5-percent of his passes and threw only five interceptions, leading to some early-season MVP rumblings.
Of course, Smith is set to make $17MM next season, and Mahomes looked solid during his Week 17 start (22-of-35 for 284 yards). As Rapoport mentions, the team could surely receive more than the pair of second-rounders they gave up when they acquired Smith from San Francisco in 2013. Still, the Chiefs earned the four seed in the AFC this season, and the reporter warns that the team could hold on to Smith if they make a run to the Super Bowl. In other words, trade talks surely won’t heat up under Kansas City’s season is officially over.
Rapoport lists a number of teams that could have interest in the veteran quarterback, including the Jets, Broncos, Jaguars, Bills, Browns, and Cardinals. He specifically notes that Arizona had interest in Smith back when he was on the 49ers, and he says the Broncos have already considered a pursuit.
Browns and Broncos should jump on this since he’s under contract
Browns have the #1 and #4 overall pick plus a ton others, is an aging Smith better for them than what they can pick from this years draft?
Idk if they want to roll into back to back seasons without a QB with a win in the NFL. Draft your favorite QB at 1, whichever it is and let him sit behind Smith for a year. Especially if it’s Darnold, I think he has a lot of upside but I think he’ll get beat up if he starts from day 1
Drafting QBs in the top 10 and sitting them is a thing of the past, people want instant return on such a high pick. You take a guy #1 overall and you expect him to be able to handle it from day one.
No an aging Smith is not the better move for the Browns
Long term its not the better move. But for the short term? It makes sense if the price is right. Trading for Smith and making him the starter would allow the rookie QB to properly develop behind an actual veteran QB for a year (Kessler, Kizer, Hogan would bring little towards mentoring a rookie). It would help the Browns actually get a win, something the fan base and team culture needs. As of now, the players in that locker room only know losing and the environment and culture it comes with. Having a couple of wins would be good for the growth of the young players. Any person expecting Darnold or Rosen or whichever rookie QB to step in on Day 1 and lead the Browns out of the cellar in their first season has unrealistic expectations. The Browns need a veteran QB who can actually teach the rookie QB some things. The Browns need a clear plan at QB, something they haven’t had in years.
Wentz and Goff were ready to go on day 1 and didn’t need a veteran QB to teach them anything, that’s what you get with a pick that high.
Goff didn’t even start Week 1 and was pretty bad last year.
And outstanding this year, while Wentz went from good on day 1 to very MVP candidate. You don’t draft a QB #1 overall these days to have him sitting on the bench on a bum team.
On a bad team thats exactly what you should do. Not many QBs would have success with the lack of weapons the Browns have, let alone a rookie QB. The only saving grace for that offense currently is the O-line but the line can only do so much. Wentz got put into a good situation with a pretty good O-line, decent RBs, and decent WRs (when they could actually catch the ball). And yes Goff looks good this year, a year after an extreme trial by fire, but its not like his rookie year was a stepping stone to him becoming better. Goff still makes a lot of bad throws (specifically throwing into traffic), its just that most of the playcalls are designed to avoid those risky plays.
We’re also talking about the Browns here. They can’t afford to rush another rookie QB into the starting spot for Week 1 just because he was the #1 pick. That’s the exact mindset that has them in a funk for so many years. There is literally nothing wrong with letting a rookie QB sit behind a veteran for a year.
Wentz started last season without any weapons on offense, they brought some in the off-season, Jeffrey has been decent but Smith stinks, they’ve been without Sproles and Ertz has been dinged up. This is not the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers serving an apprenticeship behind Brett Favre, you draft number one you plug him in on day one.
They would not go 0 and 16 with Smith. Any step towards respectability is a smart move. That being said, he isn’t worth a 1st round pick.
Maybe they go after McCArron again.
Denver is a destination franchise. Don’t lump my Broncos, who are two years removed from a Lombardi and have a top-3 defense in with a team that’s won 1 game in two years. Moron.
The current QB situation is just as bad in Denver as it is in Cleveland. None of the QBs on either team are franchise QBs.
I’m in Denver. The word here is the Broncos either want Kirk Cousins or to take a QB with the #5 pick.
Oh gee who would have thought.
Aging at 33? Joke!
He’ll be 34 in a few months, that’s not aging?
Ive never met anyone who hasnt aged
Fair observation
Redskins not mentioned ..? KC and Washington switch picks this year in Round 1,KC gets 2nd or 3rd rounder this year and a second day pick next year . 2020 pick conditional . Draft capital expended still cheaper than paying Cousins 34 million…..
If Cousins isn’t the answer for the Redskins at QB going forward, they’re better off holding onto their picks and drafting a QB this year. Why give up picks for a short-term solution on a team that isn’t a real serious playoff contender?
Smith keeps them on fringe of relevancy with their defense . Take the extra cash you save from Cousins and upgrade depth . A rookie QB dooms you to 3rd or 4th place in the division and 6-10 or worse ..
The Broncos should sign Smith and draft another QB first round. Done.
There’s always next year but at least the QB problem would be plugged and they will be much more compelling to play for.
Broncos make sense. They could send Siemien(sp) or Lynch and get Smith and a mid round pick (depending which Denver QB goes their way.
I’d say take Smith and 4th or 5th Rounder for Lynch and 7th Rounder. Denver gets a QB that is proven and has history in the West. And can still look to draft someone like Lamar Jackson in 2nd round. KC get cap relief, a chance to see if Mahomes is their man and if not still has Lynch that Andy Reid can develop as well. And say Mahomes works out and Lynch develops into trade value then your good.
Just some thoughts no way am I a GM
Unless that was the best offer they could get, I doubt KC would send a starting QB to a division rival. And I don’t see Paxton Lynch as being the best offer KC can get.
They might trade w/in division, but it’s probably going to cost Elway more in picks than he’s going to want to give up.
Lynch isn’t too bad, but the Chiefs are very well-rounded. They don’t really need to budge. Broncos look better than the Browns, but…I’m guessing any trade will come to picks and/or cash, and the Broncos are pretty slim on $$.
So even though it’s a good fit for Denver, I would say a trade with the Broncos is < 50% likely.
Why on earth would KC take Lynch in return if they dump Smith to open up room for Mahomes?
They probably wouldn’t that’s why I’m saying the trade would largely have to involve picks and/or cash.
I just don’t think Lynch is that bad in general is all. He’s potentially the best QB Denver has. But his injuries suggest he’s not capable of handling 1st string duties IMHO.
Chiefs are looking to dump salary if they go with Mahomes but he’s still unknown. Lynch gives them insurance incase Mahomes isn’t the future.
I’m sure picks would be involved just not sure what kind
More so, Smith was traded to the Chiefs for a 2nd rounder and one other pick so Lynch and 6th rounder makes sense for drop in value.
Why worry about Lynch and Mahomes on the same team. If both developed you have a trade commodity.
Totally. If something like that came about and the Broncos also took a QB 1st round, I think it’s safe to say Elway did his job. Lynch is a good enough backup as any for the risk/price, and wouldn’t be something KC would be wearing egg if he didn’t turn out. More press would be targeted at Mahomes II not working out probably anyway.
Lynch and a late round pick for Smith makes more sense. I don’t see why KC would throw in the more valuable pick with Smith (considering they don’t have many picks to begin with) when Smith is the most valuable, and best, piece/player in the deal. Lynch hasn’t done anything yet to prove that his value alone is close enough to Smith’s, even at Smith’s age.
It was 2 2nd rounders!