Chiefs Open To Trading QB Alex Smith This Offseason, Browns, Cardinals & Broncos Options?

January 6, 2018

Ian Rapoport reports that the Chiefs will be open to trading veteran QB Alex Smith this offseason. However, Rapoport clarifies that Kansas City has no plans to actively shop Smith, but they’re at least willing to listen to what is available for him.

Rapoport adds that the Chiefs will likely get offers teams, considering that the free agent quarterback market is much likely to be much more active this year.

Interestingly enough, Rapoport says that Smith could end up being the “hottest commodity” during the offseason if the Redskins retain Kirk Cousins. Rapoport could see the Chiefs actually getting more for Smith in a trade this time around than the two second-round picks they sent the 49ers several years ago.

Meanwhile, Mike Garafolo tosses out the Browns as a team to watch for Smith now that they’ve hired former Chiefs GM John Dorsey and Rapoport adds that the Cardinals previously had interest in Smith before he was traded to the Chiefs.

Troy Renck of ABC7 mentions that Smith could also be an option for the Broncos, as Denver is expected to have interest in him this offseason. However, Renck explains that there are obvious complications with Smith ending within Denver including the acquisition price and the Chiefs’ willingness to trade him within the division.

Kansas City has a quarterback-of-the-future in place in rookie Patrick Mahomes, so it wouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone to see them move Smith at some point in the near future.

Smith, 33, is a former first-round pick of the 49ers back in 2005. After seven years in San Francisco, Smith was traded to the Chiefs in 2013.

Smith is in the fourth year of his five-year, $76 million contract that includes $45 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $10.8 million for the 2017 season.

In 2017, Smith appeared in 15 games for the Chiefs and threw for 4,042 yards while completing 67.5 percent of his passes to go along with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 355 yards and a touchdown. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 quarterback out of 40 qualifying players.