Alex Smith At A Crossroads; Big Decision Regarding Future Upcoming

In what was a season that was filled with ups and downs, the fact that former Utah QB Alex Smith was on the field was a miracle in itself. Now Smith is in a spot he never thought he'd be in, to hang up the cleats forever or play another year.

In football, and especially in life, absolutely nothing is guaranteed.

There might not be a player in the NFL that knows that sentiment better than former Utah and current Washington Football Team head coach Alex Smith.

After everything Smith has been through in his career, it's amazing that finds himself in his current predicament. He can either hang up his cleats forever he can choose to return to Washington and finish out his two years remaining on his current contract.

It's such a difficult decision that Smith is going to take the next few weeks to make his decision regarding his future.

“I had so much fun this year, especially given all the Covid stuff,” he said during a video conference call with reporters. “But to be back in the locker room, to be on the field with the guys, to be playing a game I love and to lose yourself in it, it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world. You cannot duplicate it outside of here. … My wife has been through a lot, and my family, certainly I’m going to take their input. But that’s something that right now I’m still just living in the moment and not getting ahead of myself. That is for another time and place.”

Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

As many know, Smith's life was forever altered on a fateful day over two years ago.

It was on Nov. 18, 2018, in a game against the Houston Texans when Washington's quarterback had his life forever altered. As Smith dropped back for a pass, JJ Watt, Houston's star defensive player, sacked him from behind and fell on Smith in an incredibly awkward manner, fracturing his tibia and fibula in his right leg.

When it was all said and done, Smith underwent 17 surgeries to control and stop the spread of the infection. He not only nearly had his leg amputated multiple times, Smith was extremely close to losing his life due to the spread and seriousness of the infection.

He eventually returned to the field this past fall and thrived, taking over a struggling Washington team and leading them to a 5-1 record in games he's started, including winning his past five starts.

But it all came crashing down when a lingering calf injury caused him to miss out on Washington's playoff game this past weekend — a 31-23 loss to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Smith gave it everything he had to try and be able to play, but in the end he just wasn't able to pull it off.

“To call it a calf injury, I mean, I’m not going to get into a lot of the specifics. That’s how it’s getting tagged, but it’s obviously a little more complicated than that,” Smith said. “Football is a physical game, and injuries are a part of it. Obviously it’s not the way you want to finish the season, so in that sense it’s frustrating. But, bigger picture, to be back playing a role and even being in this situation is something that, if you had presented it to me a year ago, two years ago, obviously I would’ve jumped at it.”

Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Smith finished the season throwing for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 66.7% of his passes. 

Although the numbers aren't shockingly impressive and necessarily worth the $24.4 million he's due next year, his true value came within the locker room and the huddle according to head coach Ron Rivera.

“There’s an intangible that some guys have and possess, and Alex has it,” Rivera said. “Can it be replaced? Well, you’re going to have to find a guy that has that same type of intangibles, and those guys are special. They only come around once in a while. Alex has that type of intangible, and I think a part of it is because of the experiences that he’s had in his life, the games that he’s played and obviously what he’s gone through.”

Nov 18, 2018; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (11) reacts after breaking his leg in the second half against the Houston Texans during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The last two seasons of Smith's contract have non-guaranteed salaries for both the 2021 ($18.75 million) and 2022 ($20.75 million) seasons. If Washington elects to keep him on his current contract, he would have a $24.4 million salary cap hit next year. Should Washington choose to cut Smith before June 1, it would have only $10.8 million count against its salary cap due to his prorated signing bonus, but it will clear $13.6 million to be used in free agency.

He began the season as the third-string quarterback and was bumped to backup when starter Dwayne Haskins was benched in favor of Kyle Allen. Allen then suffered a serious injury and was ruled out for the season, promoting Smith to the starting role and essentially winning him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

With Allen expected to make a full recovery and assume the starting role again next season, it could spell the end of the road for Smith in Washington. 

“I don’t know,” Rivera said when talking about Smith's future. “It’s certainly something we’re going to have to look at and talk about, that’s for sure.”

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of what happens with Smith's future on the gridiron, he will always go down as a warrior, a competitor and leader. His story is one of heart and inspiration, and is surely to last forever.

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