Alex Smith is making the jump from the NFL to broadcasting and has signed a deal with ESPN, the company announced on Monday.
Smith, who announced his retirement from the league in April, will serve as an NFL analyst for the network across multiple shows, including “Monday Night Countdown” on select weeks. The former quarterback will also make contributions to “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “SportsCenter,” as well as be a part of key events, such as the Super Bowl and NFL Draft.
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“When I announced my retirement in April, I knew I was walking away from the playing field, but was not walking away from the game,” Smith said in a release. “This opportunity with ESPN surrounds me with new teammates and provides a fresh challenge as my family and I begin the next phase of our life. I’ll be contributing to ESPN’s coverage in a number of ways this season, continuing the relationship with the game I, and so many others, love.”
Smith, 37, won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2020 after returning from a catastrophic leg injury to start six games for the Washington Football Team. He played 14 seasons over 16 years in the NFL for the 49ers, Chiefs and Washington after San Francisco selected him No. 1 in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Utah.
In 167 starts, Smith passed for 35,650 yards and 199 touchdowns. In 2020, he led Washington to a 5-1 record as a starter, throwing six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
(Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
What to expect from Smith on TV
Ben Standig, Washington beat writer: There are some athletes you cover with the extrovert gene that make them obvious targets for future work as a television analyst. Smith wasn’t one of them, but perhaps he’ll drop his guard more now that he’s talking about others, rather than himself or the upcoming game.
Then again, Smith became quite chatty this offseason when discussing his remarkable comeback from a severe leg injury that required 17 surgeries, and he dished on his season with Washington. He’s clearly a smart guy who knows the game.
We’ll see if he’s willing to offer harsh opinions when warranted or wears kid gloves. If his parting shots in Washington offer any guidance, somewhere in between.
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