Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith overcame a horrific leg injury and 17 required surgeries in the aftermath to make the 53-man roster this season. He started the year third on Washington’s depth chart, but after Dwayne Haskins’ benching and the gruesome ankle injury of Kyle Allen, Smith has been thrust into the starting role.
Now the 36-year old could be Washington’s signal-caller beyond 2020.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Washington head coach Ron Rivera and his staff want Smith back for the 2021 season.
Smith is under contract through 2022, and is slated to make $19 million next season, carrying a $24.4 million cap hit. Smith has not committed publicly or privately whether if he wants to play next year.
Earlier this month, Smith told NBC Sports’ JP Finlay he would wait until the offseason before making a decision about his playing future.
Smith has been a leader in the Washington locker room, setting an example for an otherwise young roster. Yet, his play has been just as impressive.
In two starts this season, Smith has completed 55-of-80 passes for 556 yards, one touchdown and one interception. That does not include, the 362 yards he threw for in Week 9 against the New York Giants after Allen’s injury in the first quarter.
With Haskins seemingly out of favor with Rivera and his staff, Washington is expected to ultimately be in search for a franchise quarterback. Yet, Smith could be the answer for the foreseeable future.
