After 11 years in the Washington organization, player vice president of staff Kyle Smith left to take a similar job with the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the second highest staff executive behind new CEO Terry Fontenot.
Smith’s departure comes a year after he was promoted to his current position and helped lead a successful project and period of free agency for Washington. There have been rumors for several months about his possible departure.
Smith is now joining a franchise that has a fourth pick in the draft, a new general manager in Fontenot and a new coach in Arthur Smith.
His 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 professional personnel 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 projects the team had run under Smith.
Smith, 36, who is the son of former Chargers general manager AJ Smith, has attracted the interest of several teams, a source said, although none was for the position of general manager.
Smith began as an intern in Washington and, before graduating in 2020, spent three years as the college’s research director. He was an area researcher for six years.
Washington has also passed three scouts, according to sources: professional personnel director / advance coordinator Jeff Scott, who was promoted to the position outside of last season; national scout Cole Spencer and staff coordinator / professional scout Brian Zeches.
Outside of last season, Washington not only recruited Chase Young in the second round, but received solid contributions from other rookies, such as third-round runner Antonio Gibson and seventh-round safety Kam Curl. Free agent signatures included Logan Thomas, who managed a high career with 72 receptions, and JD McKissic, who caught the best 80 passes in his career.
Washington finished 7-9 and won the NFC East.