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After 11 years in the Washington organization, vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith has left to take a similar role with the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the second-highest personnel officer behind new general manager Terry Fontenot. .
Smith’s departure comes a year after being promoted to his current role and has helped lead a successful draft and free agency spell for Washington. Rumors had been circulating for several months about his possible departure.
Smith now joins a franchise that has the fourth draft pick, a new GM at Fontenot and a new coach at 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 personnel. 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 manager 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 executed under Smith.
Smith, 36, who is the son of former Chargers general manager AJ Smith, has attracted interest from several teams, a source said, though none are for a GM position.
Smith started out as an intern in Washington, and prior to his promotion in 2020, he spent three years as director of college screening. He was a regional scout for six years.
Washington has also gone from three Boy Scouts, according to sources: Director of Professional Personnel / Forward Coordinator Jeff Scott, who was promoted to that post in the last offseason; National Boy Scout Cole Spencer and Staff / Professional Scout Coordinator Brian Zeches.
Last offseason, Washington not only drafted Chase Young with the second pick, but received solid contributions from other rookies such as running back Antonio Gibson in the third round and safety Kam Curl in the seventh. Among the free agent rookies were tight winger Logan Thomas, who set a career-high with 72 receptions, and running back JD McKissic, who has captured career-best 80 assists.
Washington finished 7-9 and won the NFC East.
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