Ex-NFL player Alex Smith questions defensive-minded head coaches' ability to develop quarterbacks

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Long gone are the days of an NFL team drafting a quarterback early in the first round and letting him sit on the bench as they slowly develop.

Franchises expect a young quarterback to immediately take the starting reins and be successful. But a large portion of their success depends on the roster around them and the coaching staff's abilities to quickly develop them.

During a recent appearance on SiriusXM's NFL Radio channel, three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Alex Smith shared his thoughts on whether he believed coaches with a defensive background are equipped to bring a young signal-caller up to speed.

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ESPN analyst Alex Smith on the field before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 6, 2021, in Orchard Park, New York. (Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

"There is a different mentality, from my career, when you play for an offensive head coach that wants to light up the scoreboard and outscore the opponent," Smith said.

"There’s a different mentality you have, especially as a young quarterback versus a defensive head coach, when really the [coach’s] mentality is, ‘Hey, don’t screw up, don’t turn the ball over, don’t put us in a bad situation.’ … That’s a huge difference in a mentality and a mindset for a young quarterback, especially if it’s a bit rocky to start."

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Smith said that in his estimation some of New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson's shortcomings can be directly attributed to his head coach, Robert Saleh.