Washington Redskins Training Camp Profile: QB Alex Smith

Training camp is here, so to round out our training camp profiles, let’s take one last in-depth look at the Redskins new starting quarterback, Alex Smith.

Jt’s been a whirlwind year for Redskins quarterback Alex Smith. Last May, Smith was joined in the quarterback room by a first-round pick whom the Chiefs traded up for. They made it clear that they were grooming him to be the starter, and soon.

But that didn’t stop Alex Smith from keeping his job.

Smith didn’t play like he was on a team who gave him an obvious vote of mistrust by drafting Patrick Mahomes. Instead, in 2017, Smith was calm, he was precise, as he’s always been, and he showed a newfound willingness to take the deep shot and spread the field.

Smith’s increased efforts led him to a career season, notching career-high totals in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating. His touchdown percentage was the second-highest its ever been, and conversely, his interception percentage was the lowest in his career.

Before 2017, we knew who Smith was; an efficient game manager with a penchant for avoiding the interception, but a reputation for being limited as a passer. In 2017, however, he not only exceeded those expectations; he transcended them, and put forth a new list of expectations for 2018.

Make no mistake: Alex Smith was borderline elite in 2017; the stats back it up. Now, in 2018, the question is this: Will he carry on this new normal with the Washington Redskins, or did the old normal never truly leave him? Training camp gives us our first glimpse.