Three questions: Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks

January 24, 2014; Kapolei, HI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass during the 2014 Pro Bowl practice at Kapolei High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Will Alex Smith have a new contract by the end of camp?

Barring some sort of catastrophic injury, Alex Smith is only going to get more expensive as the season progresses. Given the importance of the position and the need for quality quarterback play around the league, one can almost be certain Smith will be vastly overpaid if he hits the open-market. If you think a $100 million deal is crazy then you are not going to love the numbers that will be floated around next March.

There is some reason to suggest a deal will get done this summer because of the release of Brandon Flowers. The $7 million in cap space his released opened up is more than enough to absorb some early hits to the Justin Houston and Smith contracts which should free up space for 2015 and beyond. Should the Chiefs not get deals done then one has to question the wisdom of cutting Flowers now. If the team is not going to use the near $10 million in cap space it presently has to lock down key parts to their team then what else is there to use said cap space for in 2014?

Getting a deal done with Smith as soon as possible is the right thing to do. It gives the Chiefs the flexibility they so desperately need in cap space that a franchise tag would not, and they could structure the deal to part ways with Smith should they be able to develop a young quarterback. Meanwhile, Smith has proven to be worth the worth the risk the Chiefs would be taking on him.

And keep this in mind: There is nobody the Chiefs can acquire between now and next season that would be as good or better than Smith. This includes the two young quarterbacks the Chiefs have on their roster now.

Give him the money. Structure the contract in a team friendly way. Continue the search for a young quarterback.