Alex Smith Very Nearly Went To The Jaguars Before Opting To Retire

Alex Smith had one of the most remarkable comeback story in sports history last season. The Washington Football Team quarterback recovered from a gruesome injury in 2018 that left him in need of emergency surgery on his leg, and risked his life at one point.

He made it back to the NFL in 2020, got a shot to play, and actually did a pretty good job. Smith was inserted into the starting role for Washington after Dwayne Haskins played poorly, and injuries occurred. To the surprise of many, Smith led the Football Team to the playoffs.

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After the season, the veteran QB admitted that he’d need time to decide if he wanted to continue playing. Today, Smith announced he was hanging it up. But he revealed that he almost decided to join college coach Urban Meyer with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith would likely be the backup behind the assumed #1 pick in next week’s draft, Trevor Lawrence.

“I gave that a lot of thought,” Smith said to ESPN’s Jeremy Schapp . “I took a trip to Jacksonville and checked it out and I left there so excited about what Coach Meyer has going and what he’s building, and his vision and the culture he’s gonna bring.”

Alex Smith would even talk about the allure of playing for Urban Meyer once again.

“Even though it was 20 years ago that I played for him in college, he still has that fire and that definitely did excite me,” Smith explained. “I wanted to do my due diligence even though I was leaning towards retirement and I wanted to marinate in it and see what’s out there. I’m happy I did, but I was ready [to retire]. I am ready, and I’m so excited about what’s out there and most of all, to get to experience it with my family.”

In the end, a trip to Jacksonville was not what Smith thought was in the best interest of him and his family. After making his inspiring return to the NFL, Alex Smith simply has nothing left to prove.

The man will always be a legend.

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