Andy Reid has a new QB

With so much in flux for the Chiefs this upcoming season, why not add a new quarterback to the mix? After firing their head coach and GM, the Chiefs are obviously in a bit of a rebuilding stage. With that being said, according to sources, the Chiefs have finalized a trade with the San Francisco 49ers that will bring Alex Smith to Kansas City for the foreseeable future.

While the Chiefs acquiring Smith is big win that address a huge hole in their team, the real winners of this trade may in fact be the 49ers. To get Smith, the Chiefs sent over a second-round 2013 draft pick (which is the first pick in the second round) as well as a conditional 2014 mid-round pick. The 49ers already have 15 picks saved up for the 2013 draft, and while getting another pick from the Chiefs, also clear up $8.5 million in cap space by letting go for Smith. This is a huge deal for the 49ers.

Smith lost his starting position last year to second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick. After getting injured, the 49ers kept Kaepernick as the starter, and ended up going to the Super Bowl and almost pulling off a huge come from behind win. The Chiefs, on the other hand, were at the bottom of the AFC West and had no stability at the quarterback position.

Smith has had an up and down life as a 49er after being the first overall draft pick in 2005. In his first six seasons in the NFL, Smith played under six different offensive coordinators, while constantly being criticized for not being an NFL caliber player. Smith played in the Mountain West division in the NCAA for the Utah Utes before entering the NFL. During his time in the NCAA, Smith was named Mountain West conference player of the year in 2004 and led his team to a win in the Fiesta Bowl.

Photo courtesy of SF Gate