The Chicago Bears sound like a team that really wants to make things work with Mitch Trubisky. That is not hard to understand. He showed such promise back in 2018 and looked like he was trending up. What happened last year doesn't have to be the defining moment of his career. With a little more time, patience and hard work, he can still realize that immense potential of his. However, there was a tinge of realism from GM Ryan Pace on the subject. Throwing everything in on Trubisky for 2020 is exceedingly dangerous. Thus he may have to find some insurance. Amidst several veteran options expected to be available this spring, what about Alex Smith?
This is a name that gets mentioned off and on from time to time. Most people continue to forget about Smith. That's not their fault. The guy hasn't played a football game since November of 2018 when he suffered a catastrophic leg injury that involved a broken bone literally piercing his skin. He came dangerously close to losing the leg and since then has endured a long recovery process. Some wonder if he might ever play football again.
For his part, Smith makes it clear every time he's asked that this is his intention. Though he'll be 36-years old in May, it is apparent he doesn't want his career to end on a note like that. The question then becomes what happens once he's finally clear by doctors to play? Former Pro Bowl punter Pat McAfee thinks Chicago makes way too much sense.
Alex Smith brings value in multiple ways
Obviously people will want to know if Smith can regain the form he had between 2017 and 2018 when he was playing some of his best football. That injury combined with almost two full years away from the field can have adverse effects on a player. Bucky Brooks of NFL.com though made it clear when he was traded to Washington that Smith is the sort of quarterback who can adapt quickly to new surroundings and excel.
"In my opinion, Alex Smith is exactly the quarterback that Jay Gruden wants — conservative, careful with the ball, doesn’t make mistakes, has a quick release, situational awareness, can read a defense and understands the offense. [He also has the athleticism to extend plays and stress defenses]. I think that Alex Smith may be the ideal quarterback for Jay’s style of coaching."
The numbers aren't always flashy, but it's hard to argue with the end results. Smith is 96-66-1 in his NFL career including 56-30 since joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. He wins football games. Period. While he may not shoulder the load himself like many quarterbacks, he understands how to run a complete offense and protects the football.
The Bears want all of those things.
However, if that isn't the Smith they get and instead it's a more downgraded version? Even that could bring value as well. One thing that emerged about the veteran QB in the past couple of years was the influence he's had one others. Fellow quarterbacks who played with him speak glowingly of his open personality and willingness to help others learn how to prepare for life as a franchise QB.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid swears to this day that Smith's influence was a catalyst for Patrick Mahomes becoming the superstar he is today.
Smith, Reid says, wasn’t a tutor for Mahomes; that wasn’t his job. But he made himself available to Patrick at all times, and kept him abreast of his schedule. “I don't even think Alex was trying to do it. Alex was being Alex, and he left the door open for Patrick to join him,” Reid says.
“So he didnt make him come, but he just said, you know, I'm gonna be here at this time, whether it was lifting, eating dinner, watching tape, watching more tape, studying the pictures of the gameplan, discussing it vs. all the coverages and doing all the little drawings and doodles to figures it out on your own. He gave that freely to Patrick and, that doesn't always happen.
Could Smith provide similar help to Trubisky?
Of course. It's a matter of availability. Right now he remains employed by the Redskins. His contract runs through 2022 but belief is he will be either traded or released at some point soon, most likely the latter. Washington appears to have plans to move forward with Dwayne Haskins as their starter. If the Bears can get him for cheap, his connections to Matt Nagy and this offensive system are obvious.
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