Is Alex Smith still playing football?

Where is Alex Smith now? It's a question that most NFL fans are likely wondering about. He has had a solid career in the NFL, but is the 38-year-old still playing under center in the 2022-23 season?

The answer to this simple question is a simple 'no'. Smith is not playing football due to injuries and age. He had announced his retirement some time ago.

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When did Alex Smith retire?

The quarterback retired from the NFL due to a devastating leg injury and his age in April 2021. Back in Week 11 of the 2018-19 season, the quarterback suffered a devastating leg injury in a game against the Houston Texans.

The Washington Commanders quarterback suffered a compound fracture during the game. He broke his tibia and fibula in his right leg.

Things were complex for him after the injury. He worked on recuperating from that leg injury because of a bacterial infection after the first procedure on the injury. After the first surgery to deal with the compound fracture, he needed 16 additional surgeries before his leg could fully heal.

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Alex Smith timeline since injury in 2018-19 season

Nov. 2018 - Alex Smith suffers a compound fracture against the Texans, breaking both the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

Sept. 23, 2019 - A video of the quarterback walking without crutches is posted on Twitter.

July 24, 2020 - He is cleared by his medical team to play on the football field.

Oct. 11, 2020 - After quarterback Dwayne Haskins was benched, he became Kyle Allen's backup quarterback.

Nov. 8, 2020 - Allen leaves Washington's game with a serious leg injury, and Alex Smith entered the game.

Nov. 15, 2020 - The quarterback threw for 390 yards in a Week 10 loss against the Detroit Lions.

Nov. 22, 2020 - Alex Smith throws for 166 yards and a touchdown as Washington defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. It was his first win since Nov. 11, 2018.

He played for three NFL teams in his 16 seasons in the NFL, starting with the San Francisco 49ers. He played the first seven seasons with the 49ers, starting 75 games from the 2005-06 to 2012-13 season.

The quarterback threw for 14,280 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 63 interceptions for the 49ers. He found himself playing next for the Kansas City Chiefs for the next five seasons (2013-14 to 2017-18).

In five seasons with the Chiefs, he made the Pro Bowl twice. In total, he had 17,608 yards passing, 102 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions for Kansas City. His eventual final stop in his career was with Washington.

He started 16 games in two seasons with Washington. After missing the entire 2019-20 season with the leg injury, he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year the following season.

Fans like Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and current Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wished him well into retirement. The 49ers and Washington head coach Ron Rivera also wished Smith the best:

The former Chiefs quarterback was hired by ESPN as an NFL analyst in August 2021. He appeared on ESPN shows like Monday Night Countdown. However, the job will not hold a full-time position. Yet, the deal could turn into a long-term commitment for the former University of Utah star.

ESPN renewed his contract in August this year and the former NFL star is still an analyst.