Hunt confirms talks with Alex Smith for new contract

[Mr. Laz]

Clark Hunt confirms Alex Smith, KC Chiefs are talking new contract
By Joel Thorman  @JoelThorman on Feb 12 2014, 7:53a 254

The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs confirmed that the team is speaking with Alex Smith's reps about a new deal.

When we last left Alex Smith, he said he wasn't sure if the Kansas City Chiefs and his reps were talking about a new contract. Now Clark Hunt confirms that, indeed, the two sides are talking about a new deal.

Hunt, who made the national media rounds during Super Bowl week, talked with Bob Fescoe and Josh Klingler on 610 Sports on Tuesday morning and there were questions about Alex Smith, who has one year left on his current contract.

But ... Hunt briefly discussed the negotiations anyway, even breaking some minor news.

"We have begun the dialogue with his representatives," he said. "Where it goes or whether it's something that gets done here in the offseason or during the season or perhaps even at the end of the season, I really don't know how that's going to play out."

This shows you that it's "when" Alex gets a new deal, no longer "if".

As far as I know, this is the first time anyone with the Chiefs have publicly confirmed that they are talking with Alex's camp about a new long-term deal. And, by the way, Hunt indicated that long-term, to him, means 3-5 years, which is about what we thought.

Hunt left the door wide open as to when this deal could get done. He mentioned this offseason, during next season or even at the end of next season. That's quite the range, which suggests that they're not very far into this negotiation process.

I'm as anxious as anyone to find out what those numbers will look like. We don't have any idea what kind of deal they're talking about. $12 million per year? $17 million? Bueller?

Alex Smith's stats, the trade, his Pro Bowl appearance, all the wins, playing his best in the playoffs ... he has a lot going for him, which all adds up to large numbers on a contract. Add in the fact that quarterbacks are just really expensive to begin with and there are reasons to believe this will get very pricey.

On the flip side, Alex Smith isn't Aaron Rodgers, out there winning games on his own. Everyone thinks paying Jay Cutler $100+ million is insane and many people will think it's crazy to do the same to Alex.

I guess what I'm saying here is that I don't know how this thing will go. I will predict, however, that this negotiation will not get contentious and it will not be filled with leaks. We shall wait.

H/T Chiefs Spin

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2014/2...efs-clark-hunt

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by milkman

I hope it gets done this offseason, and he continues the growth he shoed over the last half of last season.

If he continues to grow next season and this doesn't get done before that, he becomes more costly.

AND we need him to show continues growth.

[BWillie]

Why? Franchise tag him for two years after this year. No reason to give him a new contract right now. Call it good.

If anybody should be in talks for a new contract, it should be Jamaal Charles.

[Red Beans]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Game results aside, I almost passed out from shock and disbelief when he launched that perfect bomb to Avery. Stepped up from the pressure and just launched right into his chest.

That's the truth. A "what the ****?!?" moment to be sure.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Why? Franchise tag him for two years after this year. No reason to give him a new contract right now. Call it good.

If anybody should be in talks for a new contract, it should be Jamaal Charles.

You want to pay him 16 million for a year? Brilliant.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Why? Franchise tag him for two years after this year. No reason to give him a new contract right now. Call it good.

If anybody should be in talks for a new contract, it should be Jamaal Charles.

That would be a mega-expensive franchise tag.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by milkman

I hope it gets done this offseason, and he continues the growth he shoed over the last half of last season.

If he continues to grow next season and this doesn't get done before that, he becomes more costly.

Flip side:

If he regresses at all or can't sustain his play from the second half of the season over a full year, and the contract is done before then, it is a costly mistake (if there is not an easy out).

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by npayne1978

I continue to be amazed that people praise Alex Smith so much for this play.

He did his job on this play and delivered the throw ... but you SHOULD expect ANY NFL QB to make that throw when his WR has toasted the defender by 5-6 steps.

The great part of this play was Avery toasting the DB, not the delivery of the ball.

That's a throw ANY competent NFL QB makes (and before you reference Matt Cassel, remember I said COMPETENT).

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Brock

You want to pay him 16 million for a year? Brilliant.

You want to pay him for Five years for just as much?

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I continue to be amazed that people praise Alex Smith so much for this play.

He did his job on this play and delivered the throw ... but you SHOULD expect ANY NFL QB to make that throw when his WR has toasted the defender by 5-6 steps.

The great part of this play was Avery toasting the DB, not the delivery of the ball.

That's a throw ANY competent NFL QB makes (and before you reference Matt Cassel, remember I said COMPETENT).

That was just one of many great plays that game, just say you don't like him and probably never will... that way atleast people know where you're always going to be coming from when discussing Smith.

[T-post Tom]

Hey...wait a minute...

I thought Alex Smith sucks and always will. WTH is going on here?

[Big Poppa Payne]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I continue to be amazed that people praise Alex Smith so much for this play.

He did his job on this play and delivered the throw ... but you SHOULD expect ANY NFL QB to make that throw when his WR has toasted the defender by 5-6 steps.

The great part of this play was Avery toasting the DB, not the delivery of the ball.

That's a throw ANY competent NFL QB makes (and before you reference Matt Cassel, remember I said COMPETENT).

I thought it was an absolute perfect throw. How many times throughout the years have we seen Chiefs QB's either under-throw or over-throw that exact play? Yeah Avery burnt the DB but Alex hooked it up.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Game results aside, I almost passed out from shock and disbelief when he launched that perfect bomb to Avery. Stepped up from the pressure and just launched right into his chest.

More shcked Avery caught it...

[Halfcan]

Chiefs should see how he plays the first half of the year-if he is sucking then let him move on.

Hopefully we draft a QB this year.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by scott free

That was just one of many great plays that game, just say you don't like him and probably never will... that way atleast people know where you're always going to be coming from when discussing Smith.

He made a lot of great plays in that game. And a lot of plays he was criticized (by me, by others, by people in san Francisco) for NOT trying to make in the past. The nice TD throw to Knile Davis, the Favre-esque flip to Sherman, stand out in that regard.

I just think it's odd that people look at that throw and think it's a "great play" ... when the guy he's throwing to is SO wide open, any QB in the NFL should be able to hit him for a TD. Making throws to guys with 2-3+ steps downfield and no safety help behind them has never been a criticism of Alex.

I've got no problem with extending Alex Smith. It makes sense. I think the money, years, and structure of the contract are important, because the Chiefs have to UPGRADE the talent on both sides of the ball around him to get where we all want to see them go.

I'm optimistic about his growth and future here, but still cautiously optimistic in that regard. His play from the Chargers game on was solidly top half of the NFL QB play. Still not elite, but in that next range.

Would love to see that play out over a full season, because it's good for my team. Just not completely sold on a 6-game sample size.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Hopes:

1) They mirror the Cutler deal in structuring, with an easy out after 2015 season.

2) Money is less than what was given to Cutler

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Fears:

1) Money is bigger than Cutler

2) There is no easy out until after year 3

3) Smith doesn't elevate his play, team can't improve cast around him enough

This.