KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith didn’t have much choice when he was traded from San Francisco to Kansas City last year. He had the final say when it came to staying with the Chiefs, though. One day after signing a four-year extension that should solidify his future through the 2018 season, Smith expressed relief at being able to focus solely on football — rather than negotiations that had been going on for months, and that were threatening to bleed into the regular season.

Smith said he made it clear to his agent, Tom Condon, he wanted an agreement done before the start of the season. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said that was also his goal. The Chiefs open the regular season against Tennessee on Sunday.