Alex Smith signs four year extension with Chiefs

[ThomasTomasz]

On the eve of the 2014 season starting in the coming week, Alex Smith and the Chiefsagreed to a deal that will reportedly pay the quarterback $68 million over four years.

Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star first reported the deal, which will pay Smith $17 million a year over the next four years.

“It was a priority of ours to get this deal done and keep Alex in a Chiefs uniform long-term,” Chiefs GM John Dorsey said. “Alex is a proven leader on and off the field. He is a special individual with a lot of ability, and we are fortunate to have him here.”

Smith was entering the final year of his contract and set to make $7.5 million in the final year of his deal. Substantial hand-wringing and heated debate's taken place over whether or not Smith is worthy of "franchise quarterback money."

“John and his staff along with Tom and his group have worked hard to get this deal done. They've done a nice job,” Andy Reid said. "Alex is a smart, talented football player that has adapted well to our offensive scheme. He also, obviously, has had a tremendous amount of success as a quarterback in this league. We as a team are very happy to have Alex as our quarterback moving forward."

This deal will certainly put Smith in that zone: $17 million a year would make him the 10th-highest paid quarterback on an average basis (via OverTheCap.com).

But, like, with Andy Dalton's deal, there's some asterisks that are warranted and caveats that apply. Let's see the guaranteed money involved for Smith and the guaranteed money per year -- Dalton makes a ton of money but his average guarantee per year is more "average" than it is "elite."

Especially when you factor in his current salary; he ultimately now makes $76 million over the next five years, which works out to $15.2 million per season.

Smith is a very good quarterback and underwent a renaissance while playing for the 49ers. Colin Kaepernick ultimately took his gig and necessitated a trade to Kansas City, but he's a quality starter who doesn't make mistakes.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24689845/report-alex-smith-signs-four-year-68m-contract

Guaranteed money here is likely not that much, meaning Smith will have to perform to keep his job.

 

[dave]

I like Alex Smith. He seems like a good guy and a quality professional ... but I really don't understand why the Chiefs did this.
They could have easily played Russian roulette here and made Smith earn that contract by the end of the season.
When the Chiefs win 5-7 games this year, they're going to be kicking themselves for giving Smith this contract.
They could have easily just waited, and if Smith and the Chiefs succeed beyond their wildest dreams, then give Smith even more money.

But the Chiefs have not improved in the off-season and Alex Smith will always be an average QB ... and not the franchise QB needed to turn this team around when they're drafting top-10 to 12 next year.

 

[Aso]

The deal contains 45 million in guarantees