Alex Smith Says Return from Severe Leg Injury 'Only Fueled Me Even More'

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith said Wednesday his leg's positive response as he increased his activity during rehabilitation from a life-threatening injury provided added motivation as he returned to the NFL in 2020.

Smith explained on the 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt podcast (h/t Nick Shook of NFL.com) the number of unknowns heading into the process made his successful comeback even more rewarding:

"I had no idea how my leg and body would respond to the combination of being out for two years and the injury and the limb salvage and all that stuff; I've got to wear a brace to do anything. I had no idea how I would respond to that. It's one thing to go out one day and roll, but could I do it over the course of the season?

"And that I think was the most encouraging thing for me. I pounded on my leg every single day harder than I ever thought I would and I felt like I got stronger and stronger and stronger and the more I pushed it, the more my body responded and my leg for that matter. I felt like if anything it only fueled me even more that I can roll and keep going."

Smith, who last played in November 2018, didn't have the benefit of easing back into game action in the preseason, which was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

His first appearance came in relief of Kyle Allen in a Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The 36-year-old three-time Pro Bowl selection didn't end up having a great statistical season. He completed 66.7 percent of his throws for 1,582 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight appearances, but the team went 5-1 in his six starts.

While Washington's success with him under center led to a playoff berth, he wasn't available for the Wild Card Round loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a separate calf injury.

Smith, who was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, didn't fully commit to playing again in 2021 during his interview with Brandt, but it sounds like he's leaning that way:

"Obviously, it was unfortunate at the end to get the bone contusion and struggling with that the last couple weeks, but for me, it was completely unrelated to obviously my prior injury. So I'm excited, I'm excited to see what I can do this offseason. I feel like I've got a list of things, football-wise and just life that I want to go do that I've been wondering about ever since I broke my leg and wondering if I'd ever do again. I want to go chase those down this offseason.

"Obviously, I'll take some time here and sit down with my wife—she deserves obviously quite a bit of input in this—and then go from there. So no rush to make that decision here tomorrow, but just kind of want to get into this offseason. I still feel like I've got a lot of room for growth on the field, based off what happened this last year."

He's under contract with Washington through 2022 as part of a four-year, $94 million deal, but the front office can create $19 million in additional cap space for 2021 if he's released with a post-June designation, per Spotrac.

So the WFT may wait to determine whether it can find an upgrade at quarterback in free agency or via the draft—the defense is ready to seriously contend, but the offense needs work—before deciding whether Smith is going to remain in its plans for next season.