QB Alex Smith could be decent backup option for both Giants, Jets

The Washington Football Team will reportedly cut veteran quarterback Alex Smith after three years with the organization.

Following three seasons, which included an entire 2019 campaign missed after a gruesome leg injury, the Alex Smith era is reportedly concluding in the Nation’s Capital. According to Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones of NFL Network, the Washington Football Team is expected to cut the veteran quarterback, who’s increasing in age and possesses an expensive contract.

He’s also not extremely durable, as many know.

The Washington Football Team is expected to part ways with QB Alex Smith in the coming days, sources tell me and @KimJonesSports. The AP Comeback Player of the Year has said he still wants to play, and at age 36 may have a chance to do so.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2021

That doesn’t mean his career is coming to a conclusion just yet though. The ever-tough 36-year-old reportedly wishes to remain in the NFL (per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler) but may need to do so as a backup.

And if that’s the case, either team out of MetLife Stadium could end up being a decent suitor for the three-time Pro Bowler.

Smith to the Jets?

This move could work whether the Jets decide to draft Zach Wilson at No. 2 overall or go with Sam Darnold in what will be his fourth year in the league.

If Wilson is the guy Joe Douglas wishes to move forward with, then the pending rookie will need on-field assistance as well as mentorship to help him succeed, the latter of which Smith would provide.

A veteran backup to help guide a young quarterback is important; Wilson would benefit from having a storied player like Smith — someone who’s started for years in this league — by his side.

And if the Jets were to realize that Wilson isn’t good to go by Week 1, then Smith could be a temporary starting option until he is, sort of like what the Dolphins did with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa this past year.

If Darnold stays, Smith could be brought in on a cheap contract to provide that aforementioned mentorship. Fans are impatient with the 2018 first-round draft pick, and Darnold needs all the help he can get in order to finally flourish in Florham Park.

Of course, Smith wouldn’t be a stopgap option in this scenario but would play the Joe Flacco role on the sidelines.

Smith to the Giants?

Unlike the Jets, the Giants are surely going to head into 2021 with their current starting quarterback. However, you can’t deny either New York team is in a similar situation in regard to that position. It’s very much unclear if Daniel Jones is the future face of the franchise especially after a down year in 2020.

Like Darnold, Jones needs assistance in more ways than one, which isn’t a bad thing. He’s young, inexperienced, and doesn’t have much help on the offensive end, both from a player and coach standpoint.

In regard to a second string, Jones needs someone who’s consistently started in this league, not a career backup like Colt McCoy. Smith would be perfect for the job and could play the role Eli Manning played during Jones’ 2019 rookie campaign.

Smith wouldn’t be a stopgap option but at least a reliable backup that would assist in Jones’ development and be serviceable if Daniel were to go down with an injury.