After 11 years in the Washington organization, player staff vice president Kyle Smith has left to take a similar job with the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the second-most senior personnel director behind new general manager Terry Fontenot.
Smith’s departure comes a year after he was promoted to his current position and helped lead a successful concept and free-agency stint for Washington. Rumors had been circulating about his possible departure for several months.
Smith now joins a franchise that has the fourth choice in design, a new general manager in Fontenot and a new coach in Arthur Smith.
Its future in Washington became clear when the franchise recently hired Martin Mayhew as general manager and Marty Hurney as executive vice president of player staff. Both have extensive experience in the NFL.
Smith was not interviewed for the position of general manager; the only internal candidate interviewed by coach Ron Rivera was pro-staff director Eric Stokes, who joined the team last summer.
One of the reasons Rivera said he was interested in coming to Washington was because of the trek the team took under Smith.
36-year-old Smith, who is the son of former Chargers general manager AJ Smith, has attracted interest from several teams, a source said, although none were for the position of a general manager.
Smith started as an intern at Washington and before his PhD in 2020 spent three years as director of scouting at the university. He was an area scout for six years.
Washington also advanced from three scouts, according to sources: Director of Professional Personnel / Progress Coordinator Jeff Scott, who was promoted to the spot last off-season; National Scout Cole Spencer and Personnel Coordinator / Pro Scout Brian Zeches.
Last off-season, Washington not only drafted Chase Young with second pick, but also received solid contributions from other rookies, such as Antonio Gibson’s drop from the third round and Kam Curl’s safety from seventh. Freelancers included tight-fitting Logan Thomas, who set a career high with 72 receptions, and JD McKissic, who got a career-best 80 passes.
Washington finished 7-9 and won the NFC East.