Alex Smith: a true NFL bargain

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Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) runs the ball for a first down during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

When I went to overthecap.com (which I highly recommend if you are at all interested in anything salary cap related) and looked at all the NFL quarterbacks contracts I was surprised that when it comes to average salary per year Alex Smith’s $17 million now ranks 20th in the NFL.

That’s right, the contract that Smith signed that had so many fans up in arms due to the high salary and long term commitment is now one of the lowest of any established NFL starter.

If you take out the guys that are still on their rookie deals then the only established starting quarterbacks with lower per year averages are Carson Palmer ($16.5 mil) and Andy Dalton ($16 mil). Here are just a few of the players that are now making more than Smith:

Sam Bradford ($17.5 mil)
Brock Osweiler ($18 mil)
Colin Kaepernick ($19 mil)
Ryan Tannehill ($19.25 mil)
Kirk Cousins ($19.953 mil)

The fact of the matter is that Smith’s deal is now below the going rate for ANY starting NFL quarterback. I don’t think anyone that isn’t an Eagles or Texans homer would claim that Sam Bradford and Brock Osweiler are better NFL quarterbacks than Alex Smith but they both signed for more (at least on a per year basis) than Smith because that’s what you have to pay for a starting NFL quarterback in today’s NFL.

Next: What it means

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