Reid wants 'first dibs' on Alex Smith if he gets into coaching originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
In five seasons as a tandem in Kansas City, head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith went to the playoffs four times and won over 50 regular-season games together.
On Monday, Smith announced his retirement from the NFL after an incredible 16-year career. While the former Washington QB said he does not know what's next, his former head coach wants him on the Chiefs' staff should he want to get into coaching.
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"I texted [Smith] a while back that if he gets into coaching, I get first dibs on him," Reid said on Monday during a press conference.
Reid went on to say he doesn't think Smith will go down the coaching route, but also that the former QB would have a place on his staff should the 36-year-old change his mind.
"I doubt he will but if he decides to go that route he'd be a guy that you'd love to have on your staff," Reid said. "He's a special, special person. He'll go down as one of my all-time favorites."
There have been rumors about Smith transitioning into a coaching or front office role in the past, particularly following the 2019 season when the quarterback still had much to go in his recovery from the gruesome leg injury he suffered in November of 2018.
However, up until his retirement announcement on Monday, everything Smith had said in the past was that he was focused on playing football and nothing else.
Smith has yet to make up his mind about what's next -- he said as much in his retirement announcement on Monday.
"Even though I've got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I've got, I can't wait to see what else is possible," Smith said. "But first, I am going to take a little time to enjoy those walks with my wife, and my kids have no idea what's coming for them in the backyard."
No matter what Smith does next with his life, Reid is confident that his former quarterback will succeed.
"He's a heck of a person," Reid said. "Had a great career, played so many years with different teams and wherever he went, he made them better."
