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Could Alex Smith be the 49ers’ quarterback in 2018?

By Robert Smith

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While the thought is the San Francisco 49ers are the leading contender to sign Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins next offseason, or a rookie NFL Draft pick leading the team in 2018, Niner Noise looks at another potential fit at quarterback, Alex Smith.

Now before anyone gets too worked up about this article, let’s take a look at how we can arrive at such a suggestion.

First and foremost, the San Francisco 49ers do not currently have a franchise signal-caller. And while rookie C.J. Beathard may see his opportunity later this season, Brian Hoyer is the Niners starter right now.

And we all know how that is going so far.

While the prevailing thought is the team will sign current Washington Redskins starter Kirk Cousins in the offseason, there are no guarantees another team won’t leapfrog the 49ers and break the bank for his services. The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos could all be in the market for a starter for the 2018 season.

In the case of Alex Smith, the former first-overall pick for San Francisco in 2005, the Kansas City Chiefs may be moving on to strong-armed rookie Pat Mahomes heading into 2018.

KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Alex Smith
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Alex Smith /

During his seven years with San Francisco, Smith struggled mightily through four coaching changes and numerous offensive coordinators, finally settling in when Jim Harbaugh took over the reins in the 2011 season.

Smith then proceeded to guide the 49ers to an appearance in the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants following the regular season, and was playing well the following year, as the Niners started 6-2-1. Unfortunately for Smith, he suffered a concussion against the St. Louis Rams, and never saw the field again as a starter in San Francisco.

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He was traded after the season to the Chiefs before the 2013 season.

All told, in his time with the team, Smith amassed 81 touchdowns with 63 interceptions, while completing just 59.3 percent of his passes. His overall record with the Niners was just 38-36-1.

Smith found new life with the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid, and through five seasons in Kansas City, he has 84 touchdowns to just 28 interceptions, while completing over 60 percent of his passes and a 94.1 passer rating. The Chiefs have a 45-20 record in that time and are currently the only undefeated team left in the NFL after four weeks.

But indications out of K.C. have Smith leaving after this season, and a return to San Francisco, while slim, may not be that far-fetched.

If Cousins stays with Washington, or signs elsewhere, and Patriots’ backup Jimmy Garoppolo remains with New England, Smith may be someone head coach Kyle Shanahan targets as his starter for 2018.

Even with Smith recently stating in an interview with Graham Bensinger how dysfunctional the team was during the early part of his career, this is a new front office with a new approach. Gone are the days of former general manager Trent Baalke and Harbaugh jockeying for power. New GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan seem to be working well together so far, with a fresh start and a completely new roster.

Perhaps an offensive-minded coach and QB guru like Shanahan and an open, honest GM in Lynch can convince Smith the arrow is pointing up for this young team, and that a return to San Francisco would see his career come full circle.

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Maybe Smith feels as though he has unsettled business in the bay, and wants to return the team to it’s former glory.

Yes, it’s a long shot, but if there is one thing I’ve learned about sports: anything is possible.