Washington Football Team officially releases quarterback Alex Smith

As expected, the Washington Football Team has officially released veteran quarterback Alex Smith.

The Washington Football Team had an unforgettable 2020 season, and quarterback Alex Smith was a big reason why. Smith overcame a potentially life-threatening injury to return to football after two years, and ended up helping lead Washington to an NFC East championship and a playoff berth.

Smith himself wasn’t revered for his level of play in 2020, but his remarkable toughness and poise helped set an example for a relatively young roster. As the year went on, Smith’s resilience trickled through to the rest of the roster, and Washington was able to make the best of an uninspiring division, taking the crown with a record of 7-9.

For the sheer improbability of his comeback, Smith was given the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award during the end-of-season awards presentation. It was a banner year for Smith, who overcame a great deal. But unfortunately, it did not change his longterm future in D.C.

The Washington Football Team re-signed Taylor Heinicke earlier in the offseason, to attain more stability in a perpetually unstable quarterback room. Then, less than a week ago, it was reported that Washington planned to release Alex Smith, due to his proportionally high cap figure.

Today, the move was officially made. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Washington Football Team has released Alex Smith. Because it is not a post-June cut, Smith’s release only frees up a total of $14.9 million, according to Adam Schefter. That’s still a hefty figure, of course, and it puts Washington over the $50 million mark in terms of cap space.

The Smith saga was a tumultuous one in Washington, but it ultimately ended on a high note. Washington originally gave up Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick for Smith in the offseason of 2018. Smith’s contract initially generated pause, but the long-time starter led Washington to an impressive start in 2018. However, he would eventually be taken off the field by a leg injury that nearly ended his career.

The uncertainty surrounding Smith forced Washington to select Dwayne Haskins with their first-round pick in 2019, but when Haskins flamed out in 2020, and when backup Kyle Allen also suffered an injury, Smith was forced back into the spotlight. The rest, as they say, is history, as Smith led the nameless Washington Football Team to a most unexpected Cinderella run in the NFC East.

Now, Smith is gone, but the legacy he left will remain. He was one of the key intangible components for the Washington Football Team’s 2020 NFC East championship, and the example he set may live on for years to come. As for Smith, he intends to keep playing. It remains to be seen who will sign him, and for how much. But even if he’s a backup, history has shown us he’ll be ready.