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The Jets cannot be ruled out of the Alex Smith sweepstakes, but they also should not exactly be ruled in, based on the complicated financial circumstances they face.
During the annual NFL Combine, taking place in Indianapolis, the 49ers reportedly have leaked news they have a deal in place for Smith, their former starting quarterback, though the identity of their trade partner remains unknown.
The obvious candidates include the Jaguars, Browns, Cardinals and Chiefs, who are the most quarterback-challenged teams in the league.
The Browns and Jaguars, however, have stated publicly they are not the 49ers’ potential trade partner, so the signs point most strongly toward the Chiefs, who are expected to release Matt Cassel and are not expected to use their No. 1 overall draft pick on a quarterback.
New Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has a history of coveting Smith and reportedly had an interest in acquiring him last season while he was still coaching the Eagles.
The Jets?
They are intent on bringing in legitimate competition to try to unseat embattled incumbent Mark Sanchez.
If recently deposed general manager Mike Tannenbaum, known as “Trader Mike,’’ were still in charge, the Jets would figure to be a major player in the Smith chase because of Tannenbaum’s damn-the-future reputation for acquiring the players he coveted in an effort to win immediately.
That, however, is an approach the Jets now appear to be running from.
It was that approach that had the Jets more than $20 million over the salary cap until their recent $30 million purge when they cut several veterans with fat contracts. And it is that approach that hasBut with new general manager John Idzik seemingly fixated on rebuilding the team through the draft, . Idzik, in fact, used the term “lifeblood’’ when describing the role of draft picks to the team. So why would he trade away picks to get Smith, who not only would cost the Jets more money than they can afford, but would not even be a lock to beat out Sanchez for the starting job?
If salary-cap problems were no issue, Smith would appear a good fit for head coach Rex Ryan, whose philosophy is playing strong defense and special teams and employing a low-mistake offense that will not lose the game.
Smith went 19-5-1 as a starter under 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh before losing his job to talented upstart Colin Kaepernick when he suffered a concussion on Nov. 11. Smith never saw the field again as Kaepernick led the team to the Super Bowl.
Nevertheless, Smith is the anti-Sanchez. He completes a high percentage of his passes (he was at 70.2 percent through 10 games when he was injured this past season and was at 61.3 percent in 2011) and he does not turn the ball over often (18 times in 26 games the last two seasons).
Sanchez has sabotaged the Jets with 52 turnovers in 31 games the last two seasons, and his completion percentage is always low (55.1 for his career).
Even if the Jets were in position to trade away draft picks or even disgruntled cornerback Darrelle Revis, is that Smith will likely cost them too much money, coupled with the $8.25 guaranteed they owe Sanchez.
Smith, under his current contract, is due to make $8.5 million in 2013, including a $1 million roster bonus, and $7.5 million in 2014. So if the Jets traded for him, they would be spending more than $17 million on the quarterback position with no guarantee either would be a winning starter.
Other than Smith taking a pay cut, the only way for the Jets to get him at a reduced rate would be if the 49ers released him and he became available on the free-agent market. But the 49ers have stated publicly it is “unlikely” they would release Smith. There is a fertile market for him with so many teams in need of a quarterback and so few starter options coming out in the draft.
Jets interview Barkley
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reported yesterday the Jets were one of nine teams to formally interview USC quarterback Matt Barkley at the NFL Combine.
How fascinatingly ironic would it be if the Jets, who pick ninth overall, drafted Barkley, who followed Sanchez at USC?