Redskins trade for Alex Smith cannot be finalized until mid-March

The Washington Redskins have reportedly come to a trade agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs, but they can back out until mid-March.

The Washington Redskins’ move to acquire Alex Smith seemed good at first. But as the details kept coming in, the sobering lull of reality set in, and it became clear that the Washington Redskins had been fleeced.

The Redskins reportedly sent Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for veteran quarterback Alex Smith. The sides have come to an agreement, but as Pro Football Talk notes, the deal is not final until the start of the new league year. Until then, Bruce Allen has time to come to his senses and back out.

The official start date of the new league year is March 14. Until then, this trade will be floating in limbo, waiting to be approved.

Any sensible personnel director wouldn’t have made this trade in the first place, but now that the cards have spilled onto the table, the best thing that Bruce Allen can do is back out. Alex Smith is a good quarterback, but he is not worth the price that is yet to be paid.

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Even if the Washington Redskins back out, however, it’s fair to wonder how much damage has been done to the team’s trust in the front office. Kendall Fuller was one of the last people to be informed of his own shopping off to Kansas City, and most players seemed to be left in the dark.

If the trade were to be cancelled, Fuller would remain in Washington, fully aware that the team was willing to give him up for an aging, above-average quarterback. And other players would suddenly feel insecure about their own standing with the team. After all, if Fuller, a 22-year old slot cornerback on the verge of becoming an All-Pro, is expendable, then who is truly safe?

For now, the deal is not set in stone. But the damage has been done. And for the next month and a half, Bruce Allen has a choice to mull over very carefully. Will he do nothing, and allow the Washington Redskins to lose one of their best defensive players, and a bit of draft capital, all for a 33-year old quarterback? Or will he come to his senses, and cut his losses while he can?

Next: Redskins reportedly agree to trade for Chiefs QB Alex Smith

We’re inclined to believe that any human being will take the latter course. But Bruce Allen has shown us, time and time again, that he doesn’t operate that way.