Aug 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC; Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs received a long-term answer at the quarterback position Sunday evening after announcing Alex Smith signed an extension.
While the Chiefs didn’t disclose the contract terms, Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports Smith signed a four-year, $68 million deal with $48 million guaranteed. The contract details have since been confirmed by numerous media outlets.
Paylor was the first to break the news, almost an hour before the Chiefs officially announced the deal.
“It was a priority of ours to get this deal done and keep Alex in a Chiefs uniform long-term,” general manager John Dorsey said in a statement released by the team. “Alex is a proven leader on and off the field. He is a special individual with a lot of ability, and we are fortunate to have him here.”
The Chiefs acquired the 30-year-old Smith, who was set to enter the 2014 regular season in the final year of his contract, in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2013.
He led the Chiefs to a 9-0 start and completed 308 of 508 passes for 3,313 yards and 23 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Smith became the first quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to win nine straight games with a new team.
Smith also showed versatility as a rusher, recording careers highs with 76 carries and 431 yards. He appeared in his first-ever Pro Bowl following the 2013 season.
“John and his staff along with (NFL agent) Tom (Condon) and his group have worked hard to get this deal done,” coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “They’ve done a nice job. Alex is a smart, talented football player that has adapted well to our offensive scheme. He 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.”
Smith, a 10-year pro, originally entered the league out of Utah as the No. 1 overall pick of the 49ers, where he spent eight seasons before arriving in Kansas City.
With Smith secured, the Chiefs can now shift attention to two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Justin Houston, who enters the final year of his contract.
