The Washington Redskins believe they have found a new franchise quarterback.
The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to trade quarterback Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins according to the Kansas City Star reported Tuesday night.
The deal cannot be officially announced until the 2018 league begins March 14. ESPN reported the compensation back to Kansas City as a 2018 third-round draft pick and young cornerback Kendall Fuller. Smith has already reached an extension with the Redskins.
QB Alex Smith and Washington now have reached an agreement on a new four-year contract extension, per sources. Smith, who had one year left on his contact, tied to Washington for next five seasons. Smith gets long-term deal from Washington that Cousins could not.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2018
The deal gives Washington a reliable starting quarterback, though not one who guarantees a postseason run of greatness. Kirk Cousins is all but officially done in Washington.
Cousins has played the last two seasons under an increasingly expensive franchise tag, and Washington hasn’t been able to sign him for the long term.
In 2017, Smith threw 26 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes with a career-best 104.7 passer rating. In Washington, Cousins threw 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with a passer rating of 93.9.
With Smith’s departure, the Chiefs will move forward with last year’s first-round draft pick, Patrick Mahomes, as their quarterback of the future. Time will only tell to see how this all plays out.
Both teams needed a fresh start at the quarterback position. Thanks to the Redskins, Cousins is a free man and will demand a king’s ransom this spring, once free agency begins.
