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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

When it comes to the NFL Playoffs not many players can upstage the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. The latter has lost just a single playoff game in his entire career. Rodgers, on the other hand, has thrown for 5,669 yards in the playoffs with 45 passing touchdowns, winning the Super Bowl once.

But there might be another player who has upstaged both these superstars. He is 2005 first overall pick, Alex Smith. The veteran NFL quarterback announced his retirement on Monday.

But he will exit the league as arguably one of the most impactful quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. Why? Read further to find out.

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Alex Smith hangs up his boots after epic comeback in 2020

Since making his debut in 2005, Alex Smith has thrown for 35,650 yards with 199 passing TDs to his name. In 16 odd years in the league, Smith made the Pro Bowl thrice. He ended the 2017 season as the NFL Passing Yards Leader. Not to mention his recent 2020 NFL Comeback POTY triumph.

After a two-year absence due to various surgical procedures, Smith made a stunning return in Week 5 last season. He threw for 1,582 with 6 passing TDs against 11 interceptions in 6 appearances in 2020. He beat Pittsburgh Steelers  Ben Roethlisberger to the comeback award but unfortunately decided to go out on a high.

When it comes to post-season, no player has a better touchdown – interception ratio as compared to Alex Smith. The former Kansas City Chiefs man beats the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers to that record.

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Smith boasts a respectable TD-INT ratio of 14-2. He is trailed by the legendary Bart Starr who has a TD-INT ratio of 15-3. Mahomes comes in at number three with a 17-4 record followed by Rodgers with 45-13.

USA Today via Reuters

Smith spent a large spell of his career playing for the 49ers and Kansas City last decade. His most prolific season came in 2017 with the Chiefs where he finished as the league’s passing yards leader.

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But he will forever be remembered as the quarterback who battled against all odds to return to the football field for ‘one last hurrah!’.

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