Oct 24, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh watches from the sideline against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

NFL coaches typically come from either an offensive or defensive background. And while both coaches can be successful, it sounds like longtime NFL quarterback Alex Smith has doubts that a defensive-minded head coach can thoroughly develop an NFL quarterback.

During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Alex Smith said there’s a “different mentality” playing for an offensive-minded head coach than one with a defensive background.

“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 according to JoeBucsFan.com. “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.”

Smith specifically mentioned New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh as a defensive-minded coach who struggled with a young quarterback, claiming that Saleh had “no idea how to develop a quarterback.”

“Robert Saleh, you’re a great defensive mind and coordinator, but like you have no idea how to develop a quarterback,” Smith said. “The coordinator you hired never called plays. So that’s a completely different animal. And as much as you think you’re prepared to handle that development of a young kid, you’re just not.”

Smith might have a point given how much Zach Wilson struggled his first two seasons after the team selected him as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It will be interesting to see how things go next time Saleh has to develop a quarterback.

[JoeBucsFan.com]