Washington Football Team’s Alex Smith plays during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.

Derik Hamilton / AP Photo

The Washington Football Team announced Friday that Alex Smith had been released from the team. The veteran quarterback and Comeback Player of the Year, who many doubted would even return to the sport after a debilitating leg injury in 2018, is now a free agent. The move frees up $14.9 million in cap space for the team.

Smith, the No. 1 draft pick in 2005, was traded to Washington in 2018 after seven seasons in San Francisco and five in Kansas City. The 36-year-old quarterback broke his right fibula and tibia in November 2018, requiring 17 surgeries to prevent an amputation — the details of the horrific injury came to light following the release of an ESPN documentary last spring. Many doubted Smith could return, but Washington kept him on the roster.

Defying all odds, Smith made returning to the field his mission and was cleared to practice with the team in August 2020. When former WFT quarterback Dwayne Haskins was benched early in the 2020 season and Kyle Allen was sidelined with a broken ankle, Smith suited up as starting QB for six games — the team won five of those games.

“I had a chance to meet with Alex Smith this week and we had a very honest and real discussion,” head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “We had the chance to reflect on the 2020 season and talk about moving forward into next year. After the conclusion of that meeting we decided that it would be best for both parties to move on and we will be granting Alex his request to be released.”

River continued: “I want to thank Alex for his contributions this past year. He made such an impact on our young roster and his leadership was one of the key factors in our late season success and in making the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Everyone here in Washington wishes Alex and his family the best going forward and appreciates all that he gave to our organization.”

With Smith at the helm, the team clinched the NFC East title for the first time in five years this season, and the NFL honored him as the Comeback Player of the Year. His teammates heralded him as a leader, leg brace and all.

Smith had two years left on his contract with the team. While it’s unclear whether he’ll return to the NFL next season, sources tell ESPN that he wants to keep playing.

His Washington teammates shared their admiration and appreciation for the QB on social media:

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