Alex Smith Says The Way Packers Have Treated Rodgers Is 'Inexcusable'
Alex Smith knows a thing or two about being mistreated by an NFL organization. The recently retired quarterback didn't have a good break up with the Washington Football Team, but he also knows what it feels like to be treated well.
Back when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs, the coaching staff and front office kept him in the loop as they went through the process of finding someone else to be the long-term option at the position. Of course, we all know that option ended up being Patrick Mahomes. Smith was in the know, and that's a sign of respect.
His experience is also a major reason why he doesn't agree with the way the Green Bay Packers handled drafting Nevada quarterback Jordan Love in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Smith recently described Green Bay's behavior as "inexcusable" during an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Check it out.
The counter argument here is simple: the Packers have done a lot to build around Rodgers. They've provided him with some good weaponry and a rock solid offensive line over the years.
But as OutKick founder Clay Travis pointed out recently, the organization has made 10 first-round picks since 2011. How many of those were spent on an offensive player? Just one, which was Love -- the eventual replacement for Rodgers.
Still, that isn't even Smith's point.
The former No. 1 pick compared a personal experience with the way Green Bay has treated Rodgers in regards to drafting Love. Rodgers has been with the organization for 16 years, but the front office decided to let Rodgers find out like everyone else that they were executing a plan to eventually replace him? Smith finds that "inexcusable."
Kansas City certainly treated Smith much better after only five seasons than Green Bay has treated Rodgers after sixteen.
That doesn't mean the Packers have done nothing for Rodgers over the years. It just means they handled this situation poorly, and it could end up costing them.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.