Chiefs trade rumors: Does Alex Smith to Jacksonville Jaguars make sense?

Let’s take a quick moment to defend this idea of a first round pick for Smith, because it might sound far-fetched for any team to give up such an asset for a mid-30s quarterback. After all, the Chiefs just traded one to get a 21-year-old phenom, not the other way around.

Less than a year ago, the Minnesota Vikings traded a first-round pick and a 2018 fourth-round pick (which had conditions on it to potentially make it a higher choice) for Sam Bradford. They were team who had just lost Teddy Bridgewater for the year (and perhaps more), and Rick Spielman, the team’s general manager, faced the proposition of heading into an entire NFL season without an answer at quarterback. If he doesn’t make a move, he knows he’s finishing in the NFC North basement, despite the team’s defensive talent.

Does it sound familiar? The Jaguars have plenty of great pieces on both sides of the ball. They have defensive playmakers who are ready to break out to the casual fan. They’ve even added a dynamic running game to their offense with the drafting of Leonard Fournette. What they need is a steady hand to minimize mistakes for a young offense and help a franchise turn a corner.

The Houston Texans are a mess at quarterback and hope Deshaun Watson is the answer. Andrew Luck’s health puts the Colts in a precarious position. The Titans could be poised to run away with things, but if you set Alex Smith atop the Jags depth chart, the entire AFC South changes. Is that not what you pay a first round pick to do?

Bradford had a single year left on his contract when the Vikings paid two picks, including the first, to get him. Smith, on the other hand, has two years left, so it’s not even a short-term rental. What’s even more impressive is that the money works out. The Jags have $44 million in cap space, so they can easily handle Smith’s current contract, and it’s likely that Smith would be amenable to an extension that makes next season a bit more palatable if they need some room.