Although quarterback Alex Smith is now retired, he wasn't earlier this offseason following his release from the Washington Football Team.
The 36-year-old gave an interview to Sports Illustrated's Greg Bishop and revealed a number of teams reached out to him this spring, including the Patriots.
“The Texans wanted him too, but their quarterback situation remains in flux,” Bishop wrote. “Smith also heard from the Patriots, Eagles and Colts. But everyone had questions, conditions. He realized that only one path remained to leave football on his terms.”
Smith won the AP Comeback Player of the Year last season for his return from a compound tibia and fibula injury that he suffered during a game in 2018. He did not play in Washington's playoff game against Tampa due to a bone bruise in his leg.
As for the Patriots, they re-signed Cam Newton, so now have Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolegala on the depth chart.