Paylor:How Alex Smith’s next contract could be affected by Colin Kaepernick’s
 

How Alex Smith’s next contract could be affected by Colin Kaepernick’s $126 million deal


San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick went out of his way Wednesday to thank current Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, the man whose job he usurped two years ago.

“I don’t think I would be at this point so quickly if he hadn’t been such a great mentor to me and helped me along with things,” Kaepernick, 26, said after news broke about his six-year, $126 million contract extension.

But it’s also easy to think Kaepernick may have returned the favor by setting the market for Smith, who is seeking a new deal of his own.

“If I represented Alex Smith,” said former agent Joel Corry, “I’d be telling the Chiefs that my numbers on where the quarterback market is and will be going is correct.”

Kaepernick’s extension is actually worth just $13 million guaranteed but includes roster bonuses that can push that number up. There are also de-escalators, according to media reports, and the contract is constructed in such a way that the 49ers could get out of the deal after a few years with minimal consequence.

Corry said the Chiefs might push for a similar structure, citing Kaepernick as a reference, though he suspects Smith’s agent, Tom Condon, would never go for it.

“If you ask me to take my agent hat off, I don’t think this deal is going to have any real impact on Alex Smith’s negotiation,” Corry said. “It’s two different (situations). The problem is, the Chiefs still aren’t going to want to want to pay him in that Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, Jay Cutler range. He’s got the same problem Andy Dalton has.”

Like Dalton, Cincinnati’s quarterback, Smith is generally regarded as a second-tier quarterback in the same class as Stafford, Romo and Cutler, who are all making around $18 million per season.

That could prove to be a bit too rich for the Chiefs’ and Bengals’ liking, if that is indeed what Smith and Dalton — who will be free agents after the season — are asking for. Both teams also invested fifth-round draft picks in talented, developmental quarterbacks (Aaron Murray and A.J. McCarron) this year.

“Anything over $15 million a year on the average and $35 million in guarantees, the Chiefs should not want to do,” Corry said. “The problem is there’s nobody (making that) because the middle class (of quarterbacks) is gone. Matt Sanchez got cut. Matt Schaub got cut. You really have no middle class.”

This is one of the reasons the 49ers likely felt compelled to lock up Kaepernick, provided he can play well enough to keep the 49ers from extricating themselves from the deal.

“They don’t have a viable option,” Corry said. “Once they traded (Smith) away, they were all in on Kaepernick. They were like, ‘You’re the guy, it’s your ball and run with it.’ ”

Corry also noted that the 49ers could have waited a year to sign Kaepernick, but that might have cost them.

“They ran the risk of him going out and being Joe Flacco, where they win a Super Bowl and then he’s asking to be the highest-paid player in the league,” Corry said. “That’s just kind of the game you have to play with quarterbacks. If you have one that’s young and has a lot of potential, even if he hasn’t reached it, you’re going to have to overpay him.”

The Chiefs, on the other hand, may be willing to take their chances with Smith. Despite an 11-5 record last season, a tougher schedule and a younger supporting cast may conspire to make it difficult for Smith to duplicate his 2013 numbers, even with a respected offensive mind like Andy Reid calling the plays.

“I would tell him: ‘You want that money? Go out and justify it through your play this year,’ ” Corry said. “I’d gamble with him on that one. If he goes out and lights it up, that’s a nice problem to have because then you could always franchise him.”

Both the Chiefs and Smith have said there have been some discussions about a new contract. But Smith, who will make $7.5 million this season, has said he isn’t thinking about an extension and isn’t worried if he doesn’t get one before training camp starts.

“Smith kind of has a little bit of leverage too because KC gave up two second-round picks for him and you really don’t want to see someone walk after giving up two second-round picks,” Corry said. “But I don’t think Kansas City is going to be persuaded to make a substantial bump in their offer based on Kaepernick’s deal.”

Difficult for Smith to Duplicate his 2013 numbers? As if his 2013 stats were something to crow about.

Yup.

He should surpass 2013 numbers with ease even with a shit oline. The first 9 games he completed like 7 passes and one touchdown.

His numbers have been very consistent over the past several years.

So basically this whole article means about as much as a CP thread.

Close but it was actually 188 completions with 9TDs.

Hard to pay a QB top money when he didn't throw a TD in a game for 1/4 of the season- during a stretch where the defense won the games for us. Yes he had an above average year and his stats evened out. But he also missed a wide open receiver down the side line in the Colts game that would have sealed a win. He choked at the very moment the game was on the line. That TD would have shifted the momentum back to us-instead of getting rolled. The D was gassed and were giving up huge plays. We needed that TD. Alex was brilliant the first half then disappeared.

Until Alex proves he can win a playoff game in KC- I wouldn't sign him to a new contract. Make him play out his contract and then franchise him for one year if need be. If he wins a playoff game and more-sign him and let him retire a chief. Hopefully in 2 years we can have someone that can step in and be the man to end the drought. Just my opinion.

Never happened.

Because he didn't throw a TD in over 30% of games.

Prove you're worth it this year. If you can't do it.....later. If you can.....then franchise him and work on a long term deal.

So 44 points is garbage now? That's the most points this franchise has ever scored in a playoff game. Come on man.

The missed pass sucks, and I'm not a big Alex fan, but it's not all on Smith. You have a 3rd string HB who stuttered a bit on the route.

I also don't think it would have changed momentum. The D wasn't going to stop anyone.

Look at the first year of DV's offense. Everyone thought DV and Green were bums, it was a horrible trade, etc. Alex played pretty well the last half of the season and in the playoffs. It doesn't appear that he will be the limiting factor.

People will have better luck putting their faith in Smith than they will in the mythical "Don't pay him and draft a first round QB" legend.

So you don't think hitting a wide open receiver for an easy TD would have made a difference in a 1 point game?

Interesting.

I don't remember anyone being within 10 ****ing yards of Gray on that pass. You don't have to be cute with the throw in that situation... just throw it right at him.