The Chicago Bears’ quarterback search has become a national story now as any available quarterback this offseason has been linked to the team. On Monday, another quarterback was added as the Washington Football Team announced that they had decided to move on from quarterback Alex Smith, making him a free agent. Although quarterbacks such as Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Derek Carr would provide the Bears’ with a long-term solution at the position, Smith would have long-term ramifications on the team playing in Chicago for one season.

The Washington Football Team is expected to part ways with QB Alex Smith in the coming days, sources tell me and @KimJonesSports. The AP Comeback Player of the Year has said he still wants to play, and at age 36 may have a chance to do so.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2021

Smith’s Availability Is Both Good And Bad For Matt Nagy

Once Smith officially becomes a free agent, the Bears and a reunion with former Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be an ideal fit. During his five-year career in Kansas City, the 36-year old quarterback was named to the Pro Bowl three times and led the Chiefs to the playoffs four times. During that time, Nagy served as the Chiefs’ quarterback coach until being promoted to offensive coordinator for the final five games of the 2017 season. Smith’s excellent play during that time, along with the Chiefs’ offensive performance at the end of 2017, led to the Bears hiring their current head coach less than a week after the chiefs’ playoff loss.

It would be very understandable for Nagy to want to bring Smith to Chicago as he would have the quarterback that is the best suited to execute the RPO-based offensive scheme. Despite legitimate concerns regarding the Pro-Bowl quarterback’s health following his 2018 near-career and near-life threatening leg, the Bears head coach could win without having to make significant changes to his offense.

According to @RapSheet QB options for the #Bears include Alex Smith, Marcus Mariota, & potentially Sam Darnold #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/Tetnb2aBDD

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 2, 2021

If Smith can remain healthy and help lead the Bears to the playoffs in 2021 that features at least one playoff win, it would likely lead to Nagy being kept as head coach. Furthermore, it would to a contract extension for the head coach. With Nagy and his coaching staff being retained, Chicago would most likely have a young quarterback in place to transition from the former Pro Bowl quarterback.

For as great of a story as Alex Smith was on his comeback trail, an Alex Smith/Nick Foles QB room heading into Week 1 would be about as low of a floor as you could possible get. #Bears

Smith as a bridge/backup? Different story.

— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) March 1, 2021

The one negative if the Bears were to sign Smith and have him as their starter in 2021 would be Nagy’s inability to separate from the RPO base offense. One of Nagy’s most significant weaknesses has been his need to coach quarterbacks familiar with his system. The issue has been visible as the Bears have had Nick Foles and Chase Daniel as their quarterbacks over past three seasons. Nagy appears unable to develop plays that highlight a quarterback’s strengths unless RPO-based. The issue of installing different offensive plays for quarterbacks not familiar with the RPO offense was proven by Mitchell Trubisky’s success with a rollout-based offense late this season. Having Smith as a starter would only further embolden the coach rather than forcing him to game-plan and become more creative in developing plays.

Smith Could Give Ryan Pace Another Draft Class To Save His Job

Signing Smith would also provide the most cost-efficient solution for general manager Ryan Pace. Pace would have to take a large contract and give up several draft picks over the next few years by trading for Watson, Carr, Or Wilson, he would not have to with the former Chiefs quarterback. A small one-year contract would also give Pace more money to use in free agency and potentially seven picks for the 2021 draft. Chicago’s general manager could also find the team’s quarterback of the future by keeping their first and second-round selections this year.

Offseason plan at QB from @ChicagoBears GM Ryan Pace says "everything is on the table". Internal discussions include free agency, trades, draft, and QB's on current roster. @WBBMNewsradio

— Jeff Joniak (@JeffJoniak) March 2, 2021

If Pace adds a successful free agent signing similar to Akiem Hicks or Jimmy Graham and adds another quality draft class, he most likely receives a contract extension if the team makes the playoffs. Another draft class that features one or two rookies that have Pro Bowl potential along with a young quarterback in either Mac Jones or Kyle Trask would give the general manager something to sell to the McCaskey Family in making a case to be kept.

Having Smith as the Bears’ starting quarterback in 2021 would free up additional resources needed to improve other aspects of the team that needs to be fixed. The wide receiver position and the offensive line could be better address with draft picks kept and no money allocated for a large quarterback contract brought on by a trade. If Smith is healthy and efficient, the Bears’ offense could be good enough where the Bears are a ten-win team and make the playoffs for the third time in four years. Having a rookie quarterback sitting for a season to hand the starting job to in 2022 would be a realistic option for the Bears.

Although not the most talented or exciting quarterback available, Smith would be the most ideal for Nagy and Pace. He could potentially serve as a bridge to a younger quarterback while giving the head coach and general manager job security for years to come. It would be difficult for the Bears’ ownership to move on from Pace and Nagy if they lead the team to their fourth consecutive non-losing seasons, something that hasn’t happened since 2010 to2013. Fans and the media may not like it, but having Smith as the team’s quarterback in 2021 would be best for Nagy and Pace, and that’s all the matters.