Former Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith announced his surprise retirement from professional football on Monday. The veteran NFL star threw for 35,650 yards with 199 passing TDs over the course of 16 NFL seasons.
Smith recently bagged the 2020 NFL Comeback POTY award after his displays for Washington. The Ron Rivera-coached franchise opted against handing him a contract extension. This forced Smith to enter free agency last month.
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Dec 13, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to pass during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
He was rumored to reunite with former college coach Urban Meyer who was appointed as Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach in 2021. However, Smith opted otherwise.
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Alex Smith opens up on Jacksonville trip ahead of retirement
Speaking to the media after his retirement announcement, Alex Smith was visibly content with the circumstances at hand. He was reportedly being considered for a mentor role in Jacksonville. But when questioned about contract talks with Jaguars, here’s what Smith replied.
He said, “I did, I gave that a lot of thought I took a trip to Jacksonville and checked it out. And I left there so excited about what Coach Meyer has going and what he’s building and his vision and the culture that he’s going to bring.
“You know, even though it was nearly 20 years ago, that I played for him in college, he still has that fire and that definitely did excite me.
An inspiration to all 🙌
Never forget when Alex Smith took the field for the first time after his injury.
(via @WashingtonNFL) pic.twitter.com/WL4WQYApqU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 19, 2021
“But I, you know, I wanted to do my due diligence, even though I was leaning towards retirement. and I wanted to marinate in it a little bit. I wanted to see what was out there. And I’m happy I did but no, I was ready. I am ready.
“And like I said, I’m so excited about what else is out there and most of all, to experience it with my family and to have no limitations and, you know, to take on the challenges that lie ahead,” Smith told ESPN.
The Jaguars are expected to select Trevor Lawrence as the 1st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Someone like Smith would be the perfect candidate to guide the youngster. He’d even serve as a credible backup in case things would have gone south.
But after a long and strenuous spell on the sidelines, Smith values family time more than ever and understandably so. We can’t wait to see what lies next in this fairytale NFL story.
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