The Chiefs players started their offseason work on Monday, but quarterback Alex Smith’s agent and the team were already working on an extension.
That was the word from Smith on Monday as he reported to begin preparations for the final year of his contract. Smith said his agent Tom Condon and the team were discussing a new contract that would keep Smith in Kansas City and that he’ll be focusing on football. Smith doesn’t think the uncertainty about his future will have an impact on his play.
“I’ve played long enough, going into year 10 now, it’s all year-to-year in my mind anyway at this point,” Smith said, via the Kansas City Star. “You’ve got to continually prove yourself. I don’t think it changes anything as far as my mindset or approach to the game.”
If there’s no deal before the draft, the Chiefs may give a signal about the chances of reaching one during the selection process. If they don’t add a quarterback or pick a late-round developmental prospect, it will show confidence that Smith will be back in 2015 one way or another. If they pick a quarterback earlier, it would suggest they are leaving their options open in regard to a future with a different quarterback running the offense.
Smith’s familiar with the latter approach after watching Colin Kaepernick arrive in San Francisco as a second-round pick in 2011. That forecast his departure from the 49ers and the use of another early pick on a quarterback could lead to the same outcome in Kansas City.