Jaguars need to get Alex Smith to coach their quarterbacks

The Jacksonville Jaguars made major changes to their coaching staff this offseason and they could still make one addition ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Alex Smith, the first overall selection in 2005, has announced his retirement in social media. Now that he’s hung up the cleats, the Jags should strongly consider adding him to the coaching staff.

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer met Smith back in Utah and has had a strong relationship with him ever since. He could convince him to join the coaching staff. Meyer said on the Michael Irving Podcast he wanted Smith in Jacksonville and described him as one of the ‘toughest cats’ he’s ever met and said that he had conversations with him about joining the Jaguars.

Now, it seems that those conversations were about Smith joining the Jags as a player, but he could and should join the Jags staff, as the quarterback room would benefit from his vast experience. Somebody recently pointed out this Jacksonville team doesn’t technically have a quarterbacks coach and Smith could fill the vacancy. As a former first overall pick, he would be the perfect mentor for Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ most likely choice with the top selection in 2021’s draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars would get a superb mentor in Alex Smith.

Even though Smith will never be mentioned among the best quarterbacks in NFL history, his journey is worth recognizing, especially after his retirement. The San Francisco 49ers made him the top pick in 2005 but he didn’t show much promise early in his career due to the instability in the franchise. However, it all changed once Jim Harbaugh took over as the head coach in 2011.

With Harbaugh at the helm, Smith had a breakout year in 2011, going 273-of-455 for 3,144 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Nevertheless, he was benched the following year and traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. There, the Washington native thrived under head coach Andy Reid, who helped him become an efficient quarterback and make three Pro Bowls.

Smith was traded once again in 2018, this time to the Washington Football Team. Alas, his stint with the Football Team was short, as he suffered a devastating leg injury after just ten games. The veteran quarterback wasn’t done though. He wanted to keep playing and focused on rehabbing.

After several months of grueling recovery, he was able to step on the football field once again in 2020, appearing in eight games and starting six. While he said early this offseason he wanted to keep playing, he changed his mind and has opted to step away from the game. The Jaguars should convince him to return as an assistant coach.