Revisiting the Chiefs-49ers Trade for Alex Smith

The 2013 free agency class was bereft of significant quarterback talent, and that forced the Kansas City Chiefs, who were desperate for someone competent under center, to strike a deal with the San Francisco 49ers for gunslinger Alex Smith.

The Chiefs' front office was motivated to charm head coach Andy Reid, who was entering his first year at the helm, and they opted to make a commitment to Smith, a former No. 1 overall pick of the 49ers.

Chiefs-49ers Alex Smith Trade Details

Chiefs acquire: Alex Smith

49ers acquire: second-round draft pick in 2013 and a conditional draft pick in 2014 (which morphed into a second-round pick)

From San Francisco's perspective, then-general manager Trent Baalke turned those two second-rounders into five players: Carlos Hyde, Stevie Johnson, Chris Borland, Tank Carradine, and Corey Lemonier.

In five seasons with the Niners, Carradine logged just 5.5 sacks and started eight games. Lemonier never registered more than 15 combined tackles in any of his three years with the team. Borland and Johnson both spent just one season with San Fran.

Hyde's really the only success story here, if you can even call it that. In four years, he logged over 2,700 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns before leaving for Cleveland in free agency in 2018.

As for the Chiefs, Smith was a three-time Pro Bowler in five seasons with the franchise. Though KC never made it past the Divisional Round, Smith led them to four playoff appearances. Prior to his arrival, the Chiefs clinched one playoff berth in six seasons.

Who Won the Chiefs-49ers Alex Smith Trade?

One could argue that the 49ers unloading Smith led to the Colin Kaepernick era, during which the team enjoyed great success. However, the Chiefs easily won this deal. Smith was a perennial winner and all that San Fran got out of it was a running back who didn't even crack 1,000 yards in any of his seasons with the organization.