Kansas City Chiefs, Alex Smith further apart after Andy Dalton deal
The headline around the NFL on Monday was the Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Andy Dalton agreeing to a six-year deal that could be worth as much as $115 million.
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Dalton’s deal will pay him $22 million in the first six months of his new deal. The deal has been highly criticized. Although Dalton became an instant starter after the Bengals drafted the former TCU Horned Frogs’ star with the 35th-overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and he has led the Bengals into the playoffs in each of his three seasons, many question whether or not Dalton is talented enough to lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
The deal also could be bad news for the Kansas City Chiefs and their quarterback, Alex Smith, who are also discussing an extension. Ian Rapaport of the NFL Network and NFL.com, Smith and the Chiefs are now further apart on a deal because of the contract Dalton was given.
.@RapSheet believes Alex Smith is probably further away from a deal following Dalton's contract. Smith believes he's a true franchise QB.
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 4, 2014
Smith, a former Utah Ute who was the number one overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft, was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs last year after losing his job to Colin Kaepernick. He led the Chiefs to the postseason, completing 308 of 508 passes for 3,313 yards with 23 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He also rushed for another 431 yards.
Smith will make $7.5 million next season and then can become a free agent in 2015.