Good NFL quarterbacks destined for new teams in 2021

4. Alex Smith, Washington Football Team

This one is the gigantic question mark. In 2018, Smith was beset by such a gruesome leg injury that it’s rumored his life was in jeopardy. Now, he’s evidently ready to play football once again.

Smith’s leg injury was so horrific, that everyone (Washington included) surmised his career was kaput. The Football Team drafted Ohio State Buckeye Dwayne Haskins as a replacement in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. They also tried on veteran Case Keenum for size in 2019 but opted for Haskins’ playing time when the season went pear-shaped.

Haskins was not very good either, but he seems to get a pass as he was a rookie. His QBR ranked dead last in the entire league.

In fairness, he probably needs time to develop. But with whispers of Alex Smith’s availability, it’s unlikely new head coach Ron Rivera, well-known for winning, will allow the season to flow down the drain with Alex Smith ready and willing to contribute.

Conversely, if Haskins shines in his second campaign, Smith is in an odd spot. He’s paid like a starting quarterback–he signed a four-year, $94 million contract in 2018. So, the Washington Football team would opt to trade him or even outright release him thus swallowing the cap hit.

The only way Smith will remain a member of The Football Team is if Haskins is flat-out inferior. If Washington moves on from Smith, it likely puts him on a team in 2020 where the organization is patching over a new, young quarterback. That hypothetical team would hope Smith succeeds. But should he not, the youngster takes over–much like the Keenum-Haskins pairing.