Could Alex Smith return to 49ers after reported Washington exit?

Alex Smith, 49ers quarterback.

Again?

It could work. Or not.

Teddy Bridgewater, 49ers quarterback?

It could work. Or not.

Monday morning brought with it news about two veteran quarterbacks, both of whom would solve the 49ers’ search for a quality backup to oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo.

But, like so much speculation this offseason about quarterback movement, would Bridgewater or Smith truly be a realistic option as a QB2 when they could be a QB1 elsewhere, such as in Chicago, New Orleans, Denver or other needy locales?

BRING ALEX BACK?

It was 16 years ago when Smith entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall draft pick, selected by a 49ers franchise that lacked an adept supporting cast his first six seasons.

Where does Smith’s career go now? Really, whatever he chooses to do will be a win.

He is the reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year after his remarkable return with Washington, having overcome a life-threatening leg issue.

In an interview released by GQ last week, Smith said his return last season “definitely threw a wrench” into plans for the new Washington regime under head coach Ron Rivera. Now he’s on his way out the door.

Smith has said he wants to keep playing but will weigh that move with his wife, Elizabeth, a Bay Area native. He’s said they plan to return to the Bay Area once he retires. How about before it?

“My wife is from the Bay Area. All three of my kids were born at Stanford. It’s still the plan for that to be home for us,” Smith said in December on a media conference call. “The Bay Area is a place really special to us. We’ve spent a lot of time there in the offseason and it is amazing to be out and about and have that kind of response.”

Smith was traded from the 49ers in 2013 to Kansas City, where he consistently kept them in contention and eventually mentored Patrick Mahomes. Perhaps those roles reverse and Smith returns to Kansas City while Mahomes recovers from foot surgery.

Perhaps Smith reunites, instead, with his college coach, Urban Meyer, who is now leading the Jacksonville Jaguars and could use Smith to mentor projected No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence.

Smith should have options. So should the 49ers.

TEDDY TIME?

Bridgewater’s name entered the 49ers’ mix stemming from a report that they’ve inquired with the Carolina Panthers about him, according to The Athletic’s Carolina-based reporter Joe Person.

If the Panthers don’t want to pay Bridgewater’s $17 million salary for 2021, it’d be smart for the 49ers to know that ahead of time, so they at least can prepare a pitch to Bridgewater at a much more modest salary befitting a high-caliber backup.

Bridgewater went 4-11 as the Panthers’ starter this past season. It was his most extensive action since a 2016 knee injury altered his career. Bridgewater had rebooted his career by going 5-0 as Drew Brees’ fill-in with the 2019 Saints.

Bridgewater is due $17 million for 2021. That’s too steep a cost as a backup behind Garoppolo, whom the 49ers’ brass has continued to pledge support until they find an upgrade, which Bridgewater would not immediately be. Cutting Bridgewater before June would yield a $20 million hit to the Panthers’ salary cap, which seems a deterrent.

OTHER BACKUPS

John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have stated they’re looking to upgrade the quarterback depth chart, and while critics think that means replacing Garoppolo, the more expected path is finding a better backup than his past two, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, both of whom are pending free agents.

Josh Rosen and Josh Johnson are on the roster. For now.

One curious option is Jacoby Brissett, who’s tight with Garoppolo from their New England Patriots days and is likely leaving the Indianapolis Colts.

Other veterans expected to hit the market in two weeks are Mitchell Trubisky, Andy Dalton, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyrod Taylor. Other names surely will surface, if not in free agency, then in next month’s draft.

This quarterback chatter isn’t ending soon. It never does.