Career Timeline of Alex Smith: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Alex Smith, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Alexander Douglas "Alex" Smith is a retired American professional football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Utah, where he achieved All-American status and won the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Smith was the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, selected by the San Francisco 49ers. He played in the NFL for 16 seasons.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1993: Chiefs' Last Playoff Victory Before 2015

The year 1993 marks the last playoff victory for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to Alex Smith guiding them to another in 2015.

1997: 49ers Last NFC Championship Game Appearance Before 2011

1997 was the last time the San Francisco 49ers made an NFC Championship Game appearance before Alex Smith led them to another in 2011.

2002: 49ers Last Division Title and Playoff Win Before 2011

The year 2002 marks the year of the last division title and playoff win for the San Francisco 49ers prior to Alex Smith leading them to another in 2011.

July 2005: Signed Contract with 49ers

In July 2005, Alex Smith agreed to a six-year, $49.5 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers, which included $24 million in guaranteed money.

2005: Fiesta Bowl Win and NFL Draft

In 2005, Alex Smith won the Fiesta Bowl as a senior while playing college football for the Utah Utes. He was also selected first overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL draft.

2005: Mike McCarthy offensive system

In 2007, Jim Hostler's offensive system involved a mixture of the offensive system installed by Norv Turner with elements of the West Coast offense installed by Mike McCarthy for the 2005 season.

2006: Improved Performance and Full Season Snaps

In 2006, Alex Smith improved his performance, throwing for 16 touchdowns, 2,890 yards, and a 74.8 quarterback rating. He also became the first 49ers quarterback to take every snap from center in a season.

2006: Defeated Denver Broncos

In 2006, the 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos, preventing them from making the playoffs. Alex Smith threw for 194 yards and a touchdown in the game.

2006: Changes to the 49ers Offensive Team

In 2006, the San Francisco 49ers made changes to their offensive team by drafting Vernon Davis and trading Kevan Barlow, with Frank Gore becoming the feature back.

October 28, 2007: Return to Starting Lineup After Injury

On October 28, 2007, Alex Smith returned to the 49ers' starting lineup after missing three games due to a shoulder injury sustained on September 30.

December 11, 2007: Placed on Injured Reserve, Ending Season

On December 11, 2007, Alex Smith was placed on injured reserve to undergo surgery on his shoulder, ending his season. This came after a period of disagreement with head coach Mike Nolan about the severity of the injury.

2007: New Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers

In 2007, Alex Smith began working under his third offensive coordinator, Jim Hostler, and the 49ers added new wide receivers, including Darrell Jackson, Ashley Lelie, and Jason Hill.

2007: Founded Alex Smith Foundation and Guardian Scholars Program

In 2007, Alex Smith founded the Alex Smith Foundation and the Alex Smith Guardian Scholars Program to help foster teens attend college. He started the program with $500,000.

2007: Lost Starting Job in Training Camp

In 2007, Alex Smith lost the starting quarterback job to J.T. O'Sullivan in training camp, and would be learning under his fourth different offensive coordinator, Mike Martz.

October 20, 2008: Mike Nolan Fired

On October 20, 2008, Mike Nolan was fired as head coach of the 49ers.

2008: Alex Smith Foundation Funding

In 2008, The Boston Globe noted that Alex Smith's foundation raised over $800,000 and spent 91% of the funds on scholarships and grants, indicating efficient allocation.

2008: Mike Singletary became the head coach.

Mike Singletary became the head coach after a successful term as the interim head coach in 2008, and Martz was fired as offensive coordinator.

March 10, 2009: Contract Restructured to Stay with 49ers

On March 10, 2009, it was announced that Alex Smith's contract had been successfully restructured, and he would stay with the San Francisco 49ers. He took a pay cut to remain with the team.

2009: Expected Release Before 2009 Season

In 2009, the 49ers' general manager said that the team expected to release Alex Smith before the season, when they would owe him a salary of $9,625,000.

December 12, 2010: Victory Over Seahawks

On December 12, 2010, Alex Smith helped lead the 49ers to a 40–21 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a division rival. The win moved the 49ers one game behind the division leaders.

2010: Starting Quarterback and Offensive Coordinator Changes

Alex Smith entered the 2010 season as the starting quarterback, and Jimmy Raye was retained as offensive coordinator. However, after an 0-5 start, Raye was fired on September 27 and replaced by Mike Johnson.

2010: Salary for 2010 Season

Alex Smith was scheduled to make $4 million a season in 2009 and 2010 as part of his restructured contract with the 49ers.

2010: Alex Smith Foundation Funding Success

By 2010, Alex Smith's foundation was held up as a model charity due to its success in raising over $800,000 between 2008 and 2010, with 91 percent of the funds spent on scholarships and grants.

2011: Signed with 49ers and Named Starting Quarterback

After the lockout ended in 2011, Alex Smith signed a one-year $5 million contract with the 49ers and was named the starting quarterback.

2011: Free Agency and Contract with the 49ers

Following the 2011 season, Alex Smith became a free agent. After considering other teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Smith signed a three-year, $24 million contract to remain with the 49ers after Peyton Manning chose to join the Denver Broncos.

2011: Led 49ers to a 13-3 record and first-round bye

In 2011, Alex Smith helped lead the 49ers to a 13–3 record in the regular season, which included five come-from-behind victories. The 49ers earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. This marked Smith's first playoff appearance after 7 seasons with the 49ers.

2011: Led 49ers to Division Title and Playoff Win

In 2011, Alex Smith led the San Francisco 49ers to their first division title and playoff win since 2002. The team also made their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1997.

2011: Statistical Improvements and Team Ranking

In 2011, the 49ers achieved their highest win total since 1997 but were ranked 29th in the NFL for total passing yardage. Despite this, Smith had his first season with over 3,000 passing yards and set personal single-season bests in pass attempts (445), completions (273), completion percentage (61.3%), passing yards (3,144), average per pass (7.1 yards), passer rating (90.7), rushing attempts (52), rushing yards (179), and total touchdowns (19). He also threw a league-low 5 interceptions.

2012: Concussion and Quarterback Controversy

In 2012, Alex Smith started as the 49ers' quarterback, leading them to a 6–2 record. During a game against the St. Louis Rams, Smith suffered a concussion in the second quarter and was replaced by Colin Kaepernick, leading to a quarterback controversy.

2012: Losing Starting Job

In 2012, after recovering from a concussion, Alex Smith was medically cleared to play, but coach Jim Harbaugh chose to continue starting Colin Kaepernick, leading to Smith losing his starting quarterback job despite his high passer rating and completion percentage. However, Smith was named to the USA Today All Joe Team for the second year in a row, and was also named the captain of the team.

February 27, 2013: Trade Agreement to Kansas City Chiefs

On February 27, 2013, the 49ers agreed to trade Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs for the Chiefs' second round pick in the 2013 NFL draft and a conditional pick in the 2014 NFL draft. The deal became official at the beginning of the new league year on March 12.

December 15, 2013: Perfect Passer Rating

On December 15, 2013, Alex Smith earned his first and only perfect passer rating while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 287 yards and 5 touchdowns in a victory over the Oakland Raiders.

2013: Guided Chiefs to Playoff Runs

Starting in 2013, Alex Smith guided the Kansas City Chiefs to four playoff runs.

August 31, 2014: Four-Year Contract Extension with Chiefs

On August 31, 2014, Alex Smith and the Chiefs agreed to a four-year contract extension. He completed 65.3% of his passes, throwing for 3,265 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions during the 2014 season.

2014: Conditional Pick in the 2014 NFL draft

In 2014, Alex Smith was part of the Kansas City Chiefs, after the 49ers traded him for the Chiefs' second round pick in the 2013 NFL draft and a conditional pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

2015: Chiefs' First Playoff Victory Since 1993

In 2015, Alex Smith guided the Kansas City Chiefs to their first playoff victory since 1993.

2015: Pro Bowl Election and Playoff Victory

In 2015, Alex Smith was elected to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, but declined the offer. He led the Chiefs to the playoffs, defeating the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round. He was later named team MVP alongside Eric Berry. At the end of the season, Sports Illustrated named Smith the best-looking quarterback in the NFL.

2016: Comeback Victory and Career Highs

In 2016, Alex Smith led a fourth quarter comeback over the San Diego Chargers. He posted a career-high passing yards with 3,502 and a career-high 328 completions despite missing one game. He also ran for a career-high five touchdowns.

2017: Career Highs and Pro Bowl Selection

In 2017, Alex Smith finished the regular season with career highs of 4,042 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. He was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl, eventually replacing the injured Philip Rivers. Smith also contributed to the development of Patrick Mahomes.

2017: Received Pro Bowl Selection and Led League in Passer Rating

In 2017, Alex Smith received a Pro Bowl selection with the Kansas City Chiefs and also led the league in passer rating.

January 30, 2018: Traded to the Washington Redskins

On January 30, 2018, Alex Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins in exchange for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick (78th overall) in the 2018 NFL draft.

2018: Traded to Washington Redskins

With Patrick Mahomes set to become the starter for the Chiefs, Alex Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2018.

2019: Placed on PUP Reserve List

In 2019, Alex Smith was placed on the team's physically unable to perform (PUP) reserve list, missing the entire season due to the severity of his leg injury. Despite the injury, Smith affirmed his intent to return.

July 2020: Cleared to Resume Football Activities

In July 2020, Alex Smith was cleared by his doctors to resume football activities after recovering from a severe leg injury.

August 16, 2020: Activated from PUP List

On August 16, 2020, Alex Smith was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, marking a significant step in his return to football.

2020: Return to Football and Comeback Player of the Year

In 2020, Alex Smith completed a remarkable rehabilitation, returning to the Washington team, leading them to a division title, and earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.

2020: Return to NFL after Injury

In 2020, Alex Smith made his first game appearance since his injury against the Los Angeles Rams. He threw for 325 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions in a game against the New York Giants and led Washington to an upset victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also had his first win since the injury in a 20–9 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

March 5, 2021: Waived by Washington

On March 5, 2021, Alex Smith was waived by the Washington team.

August 2021: Joined ESPN as NFL Analyst

In August 2021, Alex Smith joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. He was featured on SportsCenter and Monday Night Countdown, as well as other programs on the network.

2021: Alex Smith's Retirement

During the 2021 offseason, Alex Smith retired from professional football after being released by Washington.

2021: Launched 'Just Live' Clothing Collection

In 2021, Alex Smith started a clothing collection called 'Just Live', with all proceeds donated to the Center for the Intrepid, where he underwent much of his rehabilitation.