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.
