ESPN is reportedly hiring former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith as an NFL analyst. Smith, the number one overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, will serve on some of the different ESPN NFL shows, such as "Monday Night Countdown." Though he won't be starting out in a full-time role, both sides are open to discussing that, should this initial experience go well.
Smith auditioned to be an analyst for Fox and CBS, as a game analyst. Neither network chose to hire Smith, so ESPN appears to have decided to give him a shot. Known as a highly intelligent quarterback, this could be a role in which Smith flourishes.
The former quarterback played in 16 NFL seasons, his first eight being in San Francisco. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Football Team. Smith retired after the 2020 season, when he made a remarkable and inspiring comeback, after suffering a broken leg in 2018. The injury shortened his career, and almost cost him his life. Now healthy, Smith is able to move on to the next chapter of his life.