While it is a positive sight to see, many fans are still doubting the durability and effectiveness of the Washington Football Team's returning playmaker in Alex Smith.

However, new head coach Ron Rivera was quick to assure that Smith will be in the mix of things for the starting quarterback role if he continues to do well leading to Week 1 of the upcoming season:

“This could be a very interesting challenge for us because of Alex Smith,” Rivera said, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “If Alex is healthy and continues to get healthy and we do activate him, he’s going to be in the throes of this competition. It’s going to unfold I think very nicely for us as a football team. This competition is only going to make you better, it’s going to push the young guys as well. So I just feel really good about what we’re going to be doing as we start going forward. It’ll be a very challenging situation to make sure everybody’s reps are equitable and their competition is the same.”

During a game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018, Smith suffered a devastating leg injury after being sacked by two defensive players from the opposing team. He had to take a long recovery road that spanned over nine months.

In July 2020, he was eventually cleared by his doctors to resume football activities, with the team placing on the physically unable to perform list to begin training camp.

Smith will be competing with sophomore Dwayne Haskins, former Carolina Panther Kyle Allen, and undrafted rookie Steven Montez in hopes to be Washington's primary playmaker.

At the end of the day, a little competition for the starting role won't hurt and will only contribute to the rebuilding cause of the team.