Report: Chiefs Most Interested In Alex Smith
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers are going to have to decide wether or not to keep QB Alex Smith as an expensive backup pretty soon but if they do decide to try and trade him, the Kansas City Chiefs could be interested.
According to a new report from Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, the Chiefs appear to be the team that is most interested in acquiring Smith.
From Cole:
"It’s also equally unlikely that the 49ers will go into next season with the most expensive backup quarterback in NFL history (at least going in). While Smith has played the role of good soldier since losing his job midway through last season to Colin Kaepernick, those close to him have made it clear that he won’t be so abiding if the 49ers don’t work something out quickly.That means that the better question is where Smith will end up. Although one source said it’s far too early to guess, Kansas City appears to be the most interested team. The Chiefs are unlikely to use the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback this year because none of the top ones – such as Geno Smith and Matt Barkley – appear to be worth it. Several head coaches and offensive coordinators this week said they wouldn’t be surprised if no quarterback were selected in the first round this year."
The Chiefs should be interested in Alex Smith. In fact, I’d be surprised if they weren’t. But that doesn’t mean the Chiefs are certainly going to trade for Smith. The 49ers may be saying they don’t plan to release Smith but I don’t buy it. San Fran wants to trade him and get some value so they aren’t like to go around telling folks they will be cutting him lose any time soon. NFL teams don’t like to pay for what they know they can probably get for free later.
When the 2013 league year starts, I’d guess the Chiefs will likely pick up the phone and ask the Eagles what they want from Nick Foles and the the 49ers what they want for Smith. KC could lowball both clubs and then sit back and see what happens. If San Fran wants a 2nd or 3rd for Smith, the Chiefs may offer a 4th or 5th. Then, if the 49ers don’t get any better offers, San Fran will be force to either take KC’s deal, pay Smith or cut him.
This all just depends on how badly the Chiefs want Smith/Foles, what they’re draft plans are and how aggressive they want to be.
We are sure to hear more reports and rumors like this over the course of the next few weeks.
What would you give up, if anything, for Alex Smith?