Kansas City Chiefs: Don't expect much in return for Alex Smith

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to think about this off-season. Alex Smith takes priority as what the Chiefs can get for him has become a grand debate.

Opinions vary on what the future holds for Alex Smith. The same places those opinions come from have ideas of what the Kansas City Chiefs can gain in return. A recent article by Ben Almquist suggests the Chiefs have the upper hand as well as the freedom to keep Smith for one more season. Below are the reasons why Ben’s optimism is not quite what you should expect.

This isn’t an Alex Smith hate-piece by no means. This is a businessman’s approach to the reality the Chiefs are faced with. Kansas City doesn’t necessarily have an upper hand in the situation, rather they are more handcuffed than anything.

The quarterback position is a coveted position indeed, however, the market may not be right. This basically means the timing is wrong. There aren’t many teams in desperate need of a quarterback, let alone a 34-year-old signal caller.

Who’s interested

The Broncos and Browns should not be considered major trade partners with the Chiefs. The price would be higher for Denver due to the division rivalry. No amount of reasonable draft picks would be considered wise. The Browns office houses none other than John Dorsey, the general manager the Chiefs gave the cold shoulder to before the 2017 season started.

The Bills, Redskins, Giants, Vikings and Cardinals are all teams that might be in the market as well. The Cardinals being the best option at this point as a potential trade partner.

Who’s available

Smith isn’t the only quarterback possibly on the market this season. Tyrod Taylor, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Case Keenum should be shopped around during the off-season as well.

Something each of these quarterbacks have that Smith does not is youth. Other things some of these guys have going for them is their recent success. Blake Bortles came very close to leading the Jaguars to the Super Bowl. Nick Foles has his team in the Super Bowl. Case Keenum had himself a career year as well with the Vikings.

Undoubtedly a few of these teams will go to the draft to find their guy. Although the 2018 class isn’t all that impressive, quarterbacks will be drafted.

Money issues

The main reason, if not the only reason, the Chiefs can’t afford to keep him. If Brett Veach is looking to make this team better, he needs to gather the most cap room he possibly can. The 2018 Chiefs will look different, there is no way around it. It is fact.

If the Chiefs were to retain his contract, they would have to trade or release multiple players to gain the cap space they would receive with Smith off the roster. That money would then be used to fill the void of those players released or traded. It would be a horrible business decision to do anything but make sure Smith was playing elsewhere.

Little to no return

The market isn’t good, don’t be fooled. This isn’t to say the Chiefs can’t get a decent pick or two, they could. The downfall to all those grand expectations is the Chiefs current cap situation.

Teams understand the situation Kansas City is in. The Chiefs will actively shop Alex Smith around, possibly with a high asking price at first. The problem is that these teams know that if Smith doesn’t get traded, the Chiefs will be forced to release him.

If Smith is released, the Chiefs don’t necessarily lose. The money made available from getting out from under his contract will come in handy to re-sign current players, bring in new ones, and sign others to future deals.

It’s all good

Knowing his release is imminent, teams will use caution in their offers. Why pay a fortune for something when you can get it for free later? Either way, the Chiefs are in a decent spot. The money will be available to make this team better.

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The chances of Kansas City getting some decent picks are slim, but even if the Chiefs are able to grab one late round pick and save money, the Chiefs win. So do not expect anything big to be gained with Alex Smith’s exit. The reality is, he will be gone, and the Chiefs will benefit either way. The return will be minimal.

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Kansas City Chiefs: Don’t expect much in return for Alex Smith

By Chris Taylor | Jan 23, 2018