With the 2014 NFL season just days away from kicking off, the Kansas City Chief have locked up quarterback Alex Smith for the next four years with an extension that could be worth up to $68 million. Because Smith has one year left on his current deal, he will be under team control until 2018, when he’ll be 35 years old.
Smith enjoyed a solid first season last year with the resurgent Chiefs, guiding them to an 11-5 record and their first playoff berth since 2010. Smith himself did quite well too, throwing 23 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions and making his first Pro Bowl.
Head coach Andy Reid had some nice—if very impersonal—things to say about his quarterback. “Alex is a smart, talented football player that has adapted well to our offensive scheme,” he said, adding “[Smith] also, obviously, has had a tremendous amount of success as a quarterback in this league. We as a team are very happy to have Alex as our quarterback moving forward.”
With Smith and Andy Dalton both grabbing huge extensions this summer, it’s clearly never been a better time to be a professional quarterback. Even the mediocre guys are getting seriously paid.
[via ESPN]
