The Washington Football Team is expected to part ways with quarterback Alex Smith in the coming days, Ian Rapoport reports for the NFL Network.
Update: On Friday, Mar. 5, Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Smith was been informed of his release by the Washington Football Team.
Smith, 36, still has two years remaining on his contract, but by cutting him now, Washington can save roughly $14.9 million. Keeping him on the roster would account for $24.4 million against the salary cap for Washington in 2021.
Previously with the Chiefs, Smith was traded to Washington in Jan. 2018 for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a 2018 third-round pick. He signed a four-year, $94 contract extension upon completion of the trade.
Smith made just 18 starts for Washington over his three seasons with the club. He missed the entire 2019 NFL season after suffering through multiple health complications following a gruesome leg injury which ended his first season with Washington. The team went 11-5 in games he started and Smith threw for 3762 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
The first overall pick in 2005, Smith, if released by Washington, will be a free agent for the first time in his career. He will be 37 at the start of the 2021 season.
