Alex Smith is a former NFL quarterback known for his impressive career with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Redskins. He made a name for himself with strong quarterback performance, incredible passing accuracy, and a remarkable post-injury comeback. After a severe leg injury, Alex Smith returned to the field, proving his resilience and earning the Comeback Player of the Year award.
His career highs include NFL Pro Bowl selections and multiple playoff appearances, including a playoff win and close games in the AFC Wild Card and Divisional Round. With a net worth of $95 million, Alex Smith continues to contribute to the sports community as an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also a TED Talk speaker, fitness ambassador, and a well-respected figure in sports commentary.
Alex Smith Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Alex Douglas Smith |
| Born | May 7, 1984 |
| Net Worth | $95 Million |
| Position | Quarterback |
| NFL Teams Played For | San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins |
| NFL Career Start | 2005 |
| NFL Career End | 2021 |
| Pro Bowls | 3 (2013, 2016, 2017) |
| Career Highs | 4,042 passing yards, 26 touchdowns (2017) |
| Career Earnings | $189.7 Million |
| Comeback Player of the Year | 2020 |
| AFC Wild Card Appearances | 2013, 2015 |
| Divisional Round Appearances | 2015, 2017 |
| Super Bowl Champion | No |
| ESPN Role | NFL Analyst |
| Social Media | @alexsmith_11 (93.9K followers) |
Who is Alex Smith?
Alex Smith is a former NFL quarterback, born on May 7, 1984. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers as the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Over the years, he played for several teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins. Smith was known for his strong leadership and smart play on the field. His ability to read defenses and make accurate passes helped him stand out as a reliable quarterback.
In 2018, Alex faced a severe leg injury that could have ended his career. However, through remarkable injury recovery, he made a stunning comeback, earning the title of Comeback Player of the Year in 2020. His resilience and determination earned him admiration both as a player and now as a sports commentator and NFL analyst with ESPN.
What is Alex Smith’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Alex Smith’s net worth is estimated to be around $95 million. Throughout his career in the NFL, Smith earned substantial salaries, including his contracts with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Redskins. His most notable earnings came from his long tenure as a starting quarterback and his contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.
After retiring, he continued to build his wealth through his roles as an NFL analyst, sports commentator, and TED talk speaker. Alex’s media presence, including his work with ESPN, as well as his endorsement deals and public appearances, have further contributed to his impressive net worth.
What is Jared Goff’s salary and contracts?
Throughout his career, Alex Smith earned around $210 million. His average annual salary was $13.1 million. This reflects the value NFL teams placed on his skills and leadership. He signed contracts with substantial guarantees, totaling $124 million. This highlights the trust teams had in his abilities as a quarterback.
In 2018, Smith received his biggest cash payment of $40 million. This payment marked the peak of his career earnings. His contracts reflected his value and the contributions he made to his teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins. Smith’s ability to stay consistent and play at a high level made him a highly sought-after player.
Smith’s highest salary cap number came in 2020, reaching $20.3 million. This number showed his importance to his team. Even after setbacks like his leg injury, Smith remained an influential player. His contracts demonstrate his significant role in the NFL.
Alex Smith: A Comprehensive Career and Earnings Overview
Alex Smith, an American former professional football quarterback, had a distinguished career in the NFL spanning over 16 seasons. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Redskins, leaving a lasting impact on each team. Known for his passing accuracy, football IQ, and leadership, Smith became a key figure in the NFL.
Despite facing significant challenges, including a life-threatening leg injury in 2018, he made a remarkable post-injury comeback, which earned him the Comeback Player of the Year award.After retiring, Smith continued to influence the sports world as an NFL analyst and sports commentator for ESPN, sharing his insights and experiences with a wider audience. His contribution to the sports community has made him an inspiring figure, known for his team leadership and career milestones throughout his football journey.
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Early Career and Time with the San Francisco 49ers (2005-2012)
Alex Smith began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2005, selected as the first overall pick in the draft. In his rookie season, he earned a base salary of $500,000 and a roster bonus of $2,000,000, reflecting his early value to the team. Over the years, his earnings grew, with his salary and bonuses increasing as he proved himself on the field.
By 2008, Smith’s base salary rose to $2,300,000, and he earned a prorated bonus of $7,616,262. In 2011, his base salary increased to $4,000,000, and by 2012, he peaked with a total of $8,000,000 in earnings, marking his best financial year with the 49ers. These increases reflected his growing importance and performance as the team’s quarterback.
Transition to the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2017)
Alex Smith’s transition to the Kansas City Chiefs marked an important milestone in his career, both on the field and financially. In his debut season with the Chiefs, he earned a base salary of $7,500,000, along with a $1,000,000 roster bonus, bringing his cap number to $8,500,000. This represented about 6.2% of the team’s total cap, highlighting his important role in the Chiefs’ strategy.
Smith’s contract continued to grow as he established himself as a key player. By 2015, his base salary increased to $11,900,000, along with a $3,600,000 prorated bonus, which brought his total cap to $15,600,000. This represented 10.8% of the Chiefs’ cap, further underlining his value and leadership on the team during those years.
Washington Redskins/Washington Football Team (2018-2020)
During his time with the Washington Redskins and later the Washington Football Team, Alex Smith’s contract was notably lucrative. In 2018, he earned a base salary of $13,000,000, along with a prorated bonus of $5,400,000, bringing his total cap number to $18,400,000. This represented 10.3% of the team’s salary cap, highlighting Smith’s importance to the team. Despite the challenges he faced, this period marked his highest earnings in a single year, with a total of $40,000,000 in cash paid.
In 2020, after his recovery from the severe leg injury, Smith made an incredible comeback. He received a base salary of $16,000,000 and a prorated bonus of $4,300,000. This resulted in a cap number of $20,300,000, which accounted for 9.7% of the team’s salary cap. His post-injury comeback was a testament to his resilience and leadership, guiding the team through challenging times.
Summary of Career Earnings
Alex Smith earned impressive amounts throughout his career, totaling over $210,000,000 from his NFL contracts. His financial journey began with a solid rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, where he initially earned a base salary of $500,000 in 2005. Over the years, his earnings grew steadily, particularly with the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins.
Smith’s most lucrative year came in 2018, when his total earnings reached $40,000,000, despite battling a severe leg injury. By the time he retired, Smith’s financial achievements were reflective of his outstanding career, with significant contracts, bonus structures, and cap numbers that demonstrated his value to the teams he played for.
Dead Money and Final Financial Figures
Throughout his career, Alex Smith also encountered dead money in his contracts with both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Football Team. The Kansas City Chiefs had a dead money figure of $3,600,000, while the Washington Football Team had a higher amount of $8,200,000. Combined, these figures totaled $11,800,000 over the years.
This dead money represented the portion of his contract that counted against the salary cap even after his departure from these teams. Despite these figures, Smith’s earnings reflected his importance as a veteran quarterback, helping his teams manage their cap space while still compensating him for his contributions on the field.
Contract
Alex Smith had a standout career with impressive contracts. After being picked first overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft, he signed a six-year deal worth around $49.5 million. This marked his entry into the NFL with high expectations. Over the years, his contract structure included base salaries, signing bonuses, and performance incentives.
In 2013, after moving to the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith’s earnings grew. He signed a four-year contract worth $68 million, with a significant portion guaranteed. His time with the Washington Football Team brought his biggest contract yet, worth $94 million over four years. Despite facing serious injury in 2018, Smith bounced back and earned substantial sums from his contracts, solidifying his place as a top NFL quarterback.
Overview of Alexander Douglas Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith, widely known as Alex Smith, is a former professional football quarterback. He was born on May 7, 1984, in Bremerton, Washington. Smith played in the NFL for over 16 seasons with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Football Team. He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the 49ers, beginning his career with high expectations.
Smith’s playing style was known for his accuracy and leadership on the field. Despite facing injuries during his career, including a life-threatening leg injury in 2018, he made a remarkable comeback. Smith earned multiple accolades, including a Pro Bowl selection and the Comeback Player of the Year award. Off the field, he is known for his media presence as an NFL analyst and his work as a sports commentator.
Early Life:
Alex Smith was born on May 7, 1984, in Bremerton, Washington. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, his father, Douglas Smith, was a former football player. Alex played various sports in his youth but developed a strong passion for football. He attended Helix High School in La Mesa, California, where he became the starting quarterback and led his team to a state championship.
His high school success made him one of the top quarterbacks in California. He received several honors and was highly recruited by colleges across the country. This early recognition set the stage for his future success in football and helped shape his path toward the NFL.
College Career:
Alex Smith played for the University of Utah from 2002 to 2004. During his time at Utah, he led the team to an undefeated season in 2004, finishing with a 12-0 record. Smith was known for his strong leadership, passing accuracy, and football IQ. His standout performance in the Fiesta Bowl, where Utah defeated Pittsburgh, earned him MVP honors.
Smith’s college career saw him throw over 50 touchdown passes and achieve impressive completion rates. His success at Utah made him one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, and he declared for the 2005 NFL Draft, where he was selected as the first overall pick.
Professional career
Alex Smith’s professional career began in 2005 when the San Francisco 49ers selected him as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. His early years were difficult due to coaching changes and injuries. From 2005 to 2012, Smith struggled to find consistency but gradually improved, especially under coach Jim Harbaugh.
In 2011, he helped lead the 49ers to the NFC Championship game, showcasing his potential as a starting quarterback. By 2012, his performance had significantly improved, and he became a reliable presence for the team.In 2013, Smith was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had a highly successful run. Over the next five years (2013-2017), he became the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offense.
He led the team to multiple playoff appearances and earned Pro Bowl honors. Smith’s passing accuracy reached new heights, and he became known for his leadership and ability to manage games. In 2017, his performance helped the Chiefs secure the AFC West division title, and he played a crucial role in their success.
Smith’s career took a major turn in 2018 when he was traded to the Washington Football Team. That same year, he suffered a devastating leg injury that almost ended his career. Despite the severity of the injury, Smith made an incredible recovery and returned to play in 2020, earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He led Washington to a division title in his final season before retiring from football after the 2020 season, capping off a remarkable 16-year career.
Kansas City Chiefs
In February 2013, Alex Smith was traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Kansas City Chiefs. The deal involved the Chiefs receiving a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Smith quickly became the starting quarterback for the Chiefs, and under his leadership, they began the 2013 season with a strong 9-0 record. Smith’s impressive performance included passing for 1,919 yards, nine touchdowns, and only four interceptions.
He was selected for his first Pro Bowl, highlighting his significant contribution to the team, even though the Chiefs were eliminated by the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wild Card Round.In 2014, Smith signed a four-year contract extension with the Chiefs, solidifying his place as the team’s quarterback for the future. That season, he threw for 3,265 yards, with 18 touchdowns and only six interceptions, maintaining his efficiency. Despite his solid individual performance, the Chiefs ended the season with a 9-7 record, missing the playoffs. In 2015, Smith was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate, although he declined the invitation. The Chiefs had a strong postseason showing, defeating the Houston Texans 30-0 in the Wild Card Round, though they were eliminated by the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round. Smith’s leadership earned him the title of team MVP, and he was also ranked 81st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
Smith continued to impress in 2016, setting a career-high 3,502 passing yards and leading the Chiefs to a memorable win against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1. That season, he also ran for a career-high five touchdowns. Despite a strong regular season, the Chiefs fell short in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith’s efforts were recognized again, as he was ranked 81st on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
In 2017, Smith had a career year, passing for 4,042 yards and 26 touchdowns, both career highs. His performance earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award in the season opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. With a league-leading 104.7 passer rating, Smith’s time with the Chiefs ended with a remarkable legacy of strong performances and leadership.
Washington Redskins / Football Team
In 2018, Alex Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins, marking a new chapter in his career. He signed a four-year, $94 million contract extension, which demonstrated the team’s trust in his abilities. Smith started the season strong, leading Washington to a 6–3 record in their first nine games. However, his season took a tragic turn when he suffered a compound fracture in his right leg during a game against the Houston Texans.
The injury led to serious complications like sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis, requiring him to undergo 17 surgeries over the course of several months.Despite the severity of the injury, Smith’s determination to return to the field never wavered. He spent the entire 2019 season recovering and was placed on the PUP list. In 2020, Smith made a remarkable comeback, with doctors clearing him to resume football activities. He was activated in August and played his first game in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith showed his resilience despite a tough return, throwing for impressive yardage, even though his team didn’t win every game.Smith’s comeback continued in the 2020 season as he led Washington to several key victories. One of his most notable achievements was leading Washington to a win over the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13. Despite a few setbacks, including a bone bruise, Smith’s leadership helped Washington clinch the NFC East title.
Although he did not play in the Wild Card loss to the Buccaneers, his return to football earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. After his release in 2021, he retired and received the prestigious George Halas Award for his inspiring recovery and perseverance.
Broadcasting career
After retiring from football, Alex Smith transitioned into a career in broadcasting. He joined ESPN as an analyst, providing insights on football games and sharing his unique perspective as a former quarterback. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his on-field experience, allowed him to connect with viewers and provide valuable analysis during broadcasts.
Smith’s broadcasting career has continued to grow as he takes on more roles, including appearances on various sports talk shows. His thoughtful commentary and ability to break down complex plays have made him a respected voice in the sports media industry. His smooth transition into broadcasting has shown that his talents extend far beyond the football field.
Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Username/Handle | Followers Count |
| @AlexSmith11 | 2110 Followers | |
| Alex Smith | 93.9k Followers | |
| Alex Smith | 99k followers |
FAQ’s
What does Alex Smith do for a living now?
Alex Smith now works as a sports analyst, sharing his insights on football through media channels, including ESPN and other outlets.
Did Alex Smith ever win a playoff game?
Yes, Alex Smith won multiple playoff games, including leading the Chiefs to a playoff victory against the Texans in 2015.
How much did Alex Smith get paid?
Alex Smith’s highest annual earnings reached $40 million, with contract extensions and bonuses boosting his career earnings to $189 million.
What is Alex Smith’s net worth?
Alex Smith’s net worth is estimated to be around $95 million, thanks to his long career in the NFL and broadcasting ventures.
When did Alex Smith retire from football?
Alex Smith retired from professional football in April 2021 after a remarkable comeback following a severe leg injury in 2018.
What injury did Alex Smith suffer in 2018?
In 2018, Alex Smith suffered a spiral and compound fracture in his right leg, which led to life-threatening complications and 17 surgeries.
Conclusion
Alex Smith had a remarkable football career with significant achievements. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Football Team. His dedication and resilience were truly inspiring, especially after his injury. Smith’s ability to return to the field after such a serious injury shows how strong he is. Throughout his career, he must have faced many challenges but always pushed forward.
Alex Smith’s journey proves that with hard work and determination, you can overcome anything. His time in the NFL will always be remembered, especially for his leadership and performance. He must be proud of everything he accomplished, and fans will continue to admire his legacy in football. Alex Smith’s career will be remembered for many years to come.
