Should Giants consider Alex Smith as a potential backup QB?

Two years ago no one would have thought we’d be talking about quarterback Alex Smith’s landing spot for the 2021 NFL season. But here we are talking — add ‘seriously’ mind you — about the soon-to-be 37 year-old’s prospects.

Could the New York Giants be interested? Who knows, but with the suitors lining up, it’s very unlikely the cap-strapped Giants will be Smith’s next team.

Smith, who led the Washington Football Team to a division title in 2020 after a long road back from what should have been career-ending leg fractures in 2018, is expected to be released by the WFT and the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year will be a hot commodity again.

There are two teams with ties to Smith that are front runners already. The Chicago Bears are one. Smith and head coach Matt Nagy had several successful seasons in Kansas City. The Jacksonville Jaguars, now coached by Smith’s college coach at Utah, Urban Meyer, are another.

The Jags are certain to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in April’s NFL draft. Smith, a former No. 1 overall pick himself (2005), would provide valuable wisdom and experience to the Jags quarterback room.

Other teams to keep an eye on are New England, Miami and Philadelphia, three teams who will have young quarterbacks in 2021 that will be seeking a veteran backup/spot starter/mentor this season.

Smith will likely stay away from teams with poor offensive lines. That means the Eagles and Giants are likely on the bottom of the list. Last year, Carson Wentz led the league in getting sacked with 50 and he did that in just 12 games. The Giants weren’t much better. Daniel Jones took 45 sacks in 14 games. Smith would be wise to avoid both.

The Giants will be concentrating on creating cap space as they are over the salary cap by approximately $1 million at the moment. They don’t have the appetite to get into a bidding war for a 37-year-old backup for Jones.