Unable to strike a long-term contract for two years’ running with Kirk Cousins, the Washington Redskins have solved their uncertainty at quarterback by trading for Kansas City’s Alex Smith, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.
The move, which was first reported by the Kansas City Star, will bring the 33-year-old quarterback to Washington. It is expected to be finalized Wednesday. Under the agreement in principle, Smith, who had one year remaining on his contract with Kansas City, will sign a four-year contract extension. It is unclear what Washington will send Kansas City in return, but it will no doubt be less than the roughly $35 million that would be owed Cousins if the team were to use the franchise tag on him for a third straight year to keep him a Redskin.
The move means that Cousins, 29, who had shown no interest in striking a long-term deal with the Redskins, will get what he has long sought: a chance to test his value on the NFL’s free agent market and have a choice in his employer for the first time in his career.
Meanwhile, the Redskins get a proven quarterback who is coming off the best seasons of his career. The 6-4, 217-pound Smith threw for 4,042 yards last season, leading the Chiefs to a 10-6 record and AFC West title while throwing a career-high 26 touchdowns to five interceptions. He finished the season with a career-high 104.7 quarterback ratings.
