Kansas City Chiefs Have Multiple Solutions to Alex Smith Problem
By Erik Lambert
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Another team has apparently thrown their hat into the quarterback arena as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to get one early due to a contract issue with Alex Smith.
Andy Reid loved stockpiling quarterback with Philadelphia Eagles
First and foremost the interest of Kansas City taking a quarterback in the first round should not be that big of a surprise. Head coach Andy Reid developed a reputation as far back as his days with the Philadelphia Eagles for loading up his depth chart with quality talent at the quarterback position. Two years after selecting his future Pro Bowl starter Donovan McNabb in 1999, he added A.J. Feely in the 5th round and then in 2006 he spent a 2nd round pick on Kevin Kolb. Mike Kafka was added from the 4th round in 2010 and of course Nick Foles came aboard in the 3rd in 2012. Reid has no qualms about turning his offense over to another arm. If he was willing to bring in competition for a star like McNabb, why should Alex Smith suddenly feel safe? Yes, he was a big reason the Kansas City Chiefs made the playoffs last season but from a statistical standpoint it was rather ordinary with 3,300 yards passing and 24 total touchdowns. His arrow is no longer pointing up as he gets set to turn 30-years old. It’s perfectly reasonable for the Chiefs to explore other options like a Derek Carr, Teddy Bridgewater or Jimmy Garoppolo.
NFL draft history proves Chiefs can use leverage against Smith
On the other had the team could also learn from history and use the NFL draft as leverage to force Alex Smith into signing a new contract. A perfect example happened in the famed 1983 draft. The Baltimore Colts had just drafted John Elway who didn’t want to play for them. So teams knew a trade had to happen for him to play football and the price tag was high: two 1st rounder in ’83, one in ’84 and two second round picks. Early in the first round it appeared a team was ready to meet that price in the San Diego Chargers. They had three 1st rounders in the ’83 draft and were embroiled in a contract dispute with their star Dan Fouts who had just turned 31-years old. When they went on the clock it didn’t take long for Fouts to agree to a new deal. San Diego then used their three first rounders at other positions. This is exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs can do. Let Smith believe they really could take a quarterback and force him into signing a deal.
Either way the team needs to make sure they have stability at the most important position once the NFL draft ends otherwise they risk their turnaround being a short one.