Redskins get desired QB continuity with Smith

The Washington Redskins have the continuity at quarterback they’ve wanted by signing Alex Smith to a four-year contract extension.

Smith was already signed at a salary-cap hit of US$17 million for next season. His new agreement agreed to in January and signed Thursday that’s worth $94 million with $71 million guaranteed means he’s under contract through 2022.

The former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback turns 34 in May and will be entering his 13th NFL season. Smith replaces Kirk Cousins as the Redskins’ starting quarterback after that relationship ended following six turbulent years.

Smith got the long-term commitment from Washington that Cousins never received and seemingly didn’t want the past two years.

Cousins became the first QB in NFL history to play back-to-back seasons on the franchise tag and for whatever reason was never considered the future of the franchise by team president Bruce Allen, senior vice-president of player personnel Doug Williams and coach Jay Gruden. To acquire Smith, the Redskins sent a 2018 third-round pick and promising young cornerback Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs in a trade that became official Wednesday.

Saving some money from Cousins’ asking price or a third tag to Smith’s salary, the Redskins used some of that space Thursday to sign former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson to a multi-year deal. Richardson gives Washington’s offence the outside speed threat it lacked last season after Desean Jackson left in free agency.