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UPDATE: Alex Smith has officially announced his retirement from the NFL.
Smith made his announcement with a video on social media.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to select Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft next week, but they are also keeping an eye on a trusty veteran.
According to head coach Urban Meyer, the Jaguars will be “keeping an eye on” Smith.
Meyer is very familiar with Smith, who led the Utah Utes before Meyer moved on to lead the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes to national championships.
“I wanted him here,” Meyer said, via USAToday.com.
“You know, we talked to him about joining here. He’s had a tough injury. Of all the players I’ve ever coached — and I would tell people this when people didn’t know how tough he was — he’s one of the toughest cats I’ve ever been around.”
Meyer, who was the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, made the comments on Michael Irvin’s podcast.
The Jaguars could use a veteran presence in the quarterback room and few players are as respected as Smith around the league. He could be a great mentor for Lawrence as he gets acclimated to the NFL.
“We had conversations with him. There are some medical people in our organization that were very concerned,” Meyer said.
“Remember, our G.M. actually drafted Alex at San Francisco. So you have two people in Jacksonville that love Alex. That was deeper than a player now. He’s like our family. Both of us feel so strongly about them. But that’s something that we’re just going to keep an eye on because I hope he comes back.”
Of course, Smith could ultimately decide to retire, but it will be something to keep an eye on if Smith decides he wants to suit up for another season.
