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

[ThaVirus]

Whatever happens, let's hope we get this shit right..

[notorious]

So it begins.

[MIAdragon]

This shocks, nobody.

[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

[TLO]

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

Yes.

[Direckshun]

Yeah, hopefully they structure it so it'd be easy to cut him after 2015.

[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

[mcaj22]

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

aka the dreaded Cassel contract lol

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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).

[Jakemall]

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.

If he plays consistently at the level he played at against Indy, how much growth does he need vs consistency in playing that way?

Not saying he shouldn't or won't get better.