Washington Redskins: What does the Smith signing mean for the offense?

Overall

What the Washington Redskins truly get out of Alex Smith depends on what version of Alex Smith they get.

The Alex Smith of the past was a game manager. The check down king. And while he was accurate, and smart, his propensity to avoid risks cost his team a great deal. He could only take them so far.

The Alex Smith of 2017, however, was a gunslinger. He took chances, and made plays for his offense, while also being careful with the football. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for most of the year, and he was arguably a better quarterback than Kirk Cousins. He had a much better supporting cast, but he showed his individual talent as well.

In Alex Smith, Jay Gruden gets a quarterback he can work with, and in the Washington Redskins, Smith gets a team that he can make competitive, and keep competitive. It may take time for him to mesh, but at 33 years old, Smith still has quite a few years left in his career as a quarterback. And with the Washington Redskins locking down Smith to a four-year extension, the signal caller will be in the nation’s capital for a long time.

Next: Redskins: Where might Kirk Cousins be headed in 2018?

So what does Smith’s signing mean for the Washington Redskins? It means they don’t have to slow down.