Tim Tebow was shopped around by the New York Jets during the NFL Scouting Combine to gauge his trade value, but after the Alex Smith trade to Kansas City, there is one less NFL team that is in the running for him, leaving the Arizona Cardinals as the top option for him in the future.
The Chiefs were a long shot for Tebow, but now that Smith has been traded, there is no chance that Andy Reid and the team will go after him, as they now have a new starting quarterback. The trade of Smith also leaves former starter Matt Cassel as the odd man out and chances are the Chiefs will release him in the near future to get out of his large contract.
The Arizona Cardinals could benefit the most from the Alex Smith trade, as they could use a new starting quarterback and could go after Tebow or Cassel to be their next starter. Last season the Cardinals were one of the most offensively challenged teams in the NFL and got poor play from Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Ryan Lindley all season at quarterback.
Kansas City made the trade because they felt like they needed to after seeing a weak free agent class and a weak quarterback draft class with Geno Smith at the top, although they had to give up two important draft picks to get him. Smith is a solid option for Reid as he does a good job of protecting the ball and he went 19-5-1 as a starter on the 49ers over the past two seasons.
Cassel went just 1-7 as the starter last season and was booed by the fans and he has been a disappointment since signing his six-year, $63 million contract after his trade in 2009. He led the team to the playoffs one season, but since then the Chiefs have been a major disappointment and it is likely he will be cut or released very soon by the team.
The Cardinals would be able to sign Cassel at a much cheaper price to compete with Kolb or Skelton if he is released, as his contract would be out of the picture. Smith is a much better bargain for the Chiefs, as he is still under contract until 2014 and will make a $7.5 million base salary over the next two seasons.
The 49ers are Chiefs will not play next season, saving Smith from having to face his old fans, although Kansas City had to give up its number 34 pick in the second round for this upcoming draft. The San Francisco 49ers now have 15 picks in the upcoming draft in April and could be major players if they decide to make another trade.
The Cardinals were one of the worst teams in the league last season and suffered some humiliating losses, including 7-6 to the New York Jets and 58-0 to the Seattle Seahawks, which was the worst loss in franchise history.
Arizona could help reenergize the offense with either Cassel or Tebow at the helm and although they would have to give up something for Tebow, he could do what he did with Denver and lead the team on a surprising playoff run.
