NFL Rumors: Latest on Alex Smith Trade, Matt Patricia to Lions, More

With Wild Card Weekend underway, it can be easy to forget about the rumors in the background.

The NFL action is what has our attention, so it works as a perfect diversion for numerous things that could affect the league in more ways than one.

There are a few important developments that need to be covered, so we will examine them here.

But before we do that, can you believe that Marcus Mariota touchdown? To himself?! Just when you thought you had seen it all.

Without further ado, let's look at the rumors around the league.

Chiefs to Part with Alex Smith?

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Following the Kansas City Chiefs' playoff game against the Tennessee Titans Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Chiefs would be open to trading Smith.

This would be the second time in his career Smith is dealt.

The Chiefs lost, and it seems like now is the time to part with Smith and begin the Patrick Mahomes era.

Rapoport noted the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals as potential suitors and also pointed out that the Cardinals were interested in the veteran when the San Francisco 49ers were in the process of trading Smith in 2013.

It's time for a fresh start in Chiefs Kingdom, so expect this to happen this offseason.

Matt Patricia to Become Lions Head Coach?

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Since 2004, Matt Patricia has been with the New England Patriots in numerous roles. From the offensive assistant to the defensive coordinator, Patricia has enjoyed the culture of winning the Patriots have cultivated over the past 14 years.

But it may be time for him to leave the nest.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, Patricia is likely to leave the Patriots and take the Detroit Lions head-coaching job.

Florio cited the relationship between Patricia and Lions general manager Bob Quinn as a reason for his interest in the job.

Patricia has been an excellent defensive coordinator since earning the position in 2012, so he deserves his shot at coaching his own team.

If Patricia joins the Lions, he would take over a team with a defensive stud in Darius Slay and get to work with quarterback Matthew Stafford. 

Nothing can become official until the Patriots' season ends, though. And as Florio also noted, the longer the Lions head-coaching job remains vacant, it appears more likely they are just waiting for New England's season to be over with.

Joe Philbin to Interview with Packers

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After leaving the Green Bay Packers in 2012 in order to coach the Miami Dolphins, Joe Philbin could be headed back to the Packers.

According to Rapoport, Philbin will have an interview with Green Bay "about rejoining the staff."

The role remains undefined, but Philbin is coming off a 2017 season in which he was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts.

During his previous stint with the Packers, Philbin served myriad roles: assistant offensive line coach, tight ends coach, offensive line coach and offensive coordinator.

It will be intriguing to see what role Philbin would have. Perhaps it would be similar to the one he had with the Colts?