Andy Reid ties his future to Alex Smith
According to Fox’s Jay Glazer, the 49ers and Chiefs have agreed on a trade that would send Alex Smith to the Chiefs. Glazer doesn’t disclose details of the trade just that the Chiefs have made a clear commitment to Smith. One could assume that means a contract extension or a high draft being sent San Francisco’s way or both.
Deal has been agreed upon between Chiefs and 49ers. Compensation unclear but I’m told again Chiefs have made a clear commitment to Smith.
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) February 27, 2013
Glazer didn’t offer up any terms of compensation but Ian Rappaport of NFL.com revealed that the trade compensation included the Chiefs 2nd round pick in 2013 and more in 2014. It seems pricey for Alex Smith but with a dry free agent market and the lack of a top QB prospect in the draft, we aren’t surprised by the compensation.
The trade of #49ers QB Alex Smith to #Chiefs was completed this morning. Compensation is “substantial.” A 2nd & @timkawakami says more in 14
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2013
The trade can’t become official until March 12, when the free agency period begins. The 49ers will own the 31st and 34th picks in the draft and boatload of other picks in a deep draft (five in the top three rounds with the possibility of a compensatory pick coming their way as well). They have leveraged themselves well into the future with these draft picks and have ammunition to move up if they fall in love with a prospect.
This pretty much sticks a fork in the thought that Geno Smith will be the first overall pick and I believe narrows this selection down to Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher. With Brandon Albert heading towards free agency, it’s becoming clear that the Chiefs will opt to select an offensive tackle rather than sign Albert to a long-term deal. With his history of back issues, one can’t blame them.
Kuddos to the ‘Niners for pulling this trade off and getting maximum value out of Smith. Most will hammer the Chiefs for giving up the 34th pick but they are a quarterback away from being competitive in their division and Smith fits their system well. While it was costly, the reality was that they weren’t getting a better quarterback with the 34th pick in this draft.
UPDATE: Reported that the compensation in 2014 will be equivalent to that in 2013. Assuming that’s a 2nd in 2013 and 2014, that’s going to be a tough pill to swallow. Not quite Carson Palmer-esque but not far off.
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