Chiefs’ Alex Smith says contract talks will be tabled at some point to eliminate distractions

While the Chiefs and quarterback Alex Smith continue to negotiate a contract extension, Smith said Wednesday that there will come a point when a resolution must be reached — one way or the other.

“You’re getting to the point where either way, you want it to stop being a distraction,” Smith said. “You guys know how I feel about this, and it’s the truth.”

Smith, 30, has said he wants to remain in Kansas City. A source, however, told The Star last week that there are “significant differences” between the two sides.

Smith has fielded questions about his contract situation since camp opened, but he said Wednesday that there will come a point where he will eliminate non-football distractions.

“You’re finally going to cross a line where it’s like, it’s just football from here on out and I’m done not only talking about it with you guys, but even behind the scenes as well,” Smith said. “We talk about eliminating distractions, and that’s a part of it. The focus needs to be on ball.”

Smith said he still hasn’t decided on when that will be.

“No, no hard line,” Smith said. “At some point mentally it will come for me where it’s like ‘OK, it’s over’ and let’s just focus on the season.”

On Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he thought Smith would not let a lack of a new deal affect him.

The Chiefs open the regular season Sept. 7 against Tennessee.

This story was originally published July 30, 2014 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ Alex Smith says contract talks will be tabled at some point to eliminate distractions."