A.J. Smith Dies at 75; Former Chargers GM Spent 35 Years in NFL as Scout, Exec, More

The Los Angeles Chargers announced Sunday that former general manager A.J. Smith died at the age of 75.

"A.J. made everyone around him better with a singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization," Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. He also referred to Smith as the "architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history."

Smith's son, Kyle, is the assistant general manager for the Atlanta Falcons. The Smith family released a statement acknowledging A.J.'s death:

Smith first started working in the NFL as a scout with the New York Giants in 1977. It wasn't until he joined the Buffalo Bills in 1986 that his executive career began to take off. He started there as a scout and moved his way up to director of pro personnel in 1993.

In 2001, Smith followed John Butler to the Chargers after Butler was hired as their general manager. He then succeeded Butler in 2003 following Butler's death that spring.

The following year, Smith made a decision that altered the direction of the franchise for a long time to come.

The Chargers selected Eli Manning with the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft despite Manning making it clear he wouldn't want to play there. Smith pulled off a trade that made Philip Rivers the quarterback of the future instead and ultimately netted three-time Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman, whom the Chargers added with the New York Giants' first-rounder in 2005.

"[The trade] was the most satisfying moment for me in my career and I really mean that," Smith told Adam Stites of SB Nation in 2019. "I would say that if I was ever fortunate to win a Super Bowl, I'm sure it would've trumped that, but I don't know that. I gotta tell you there was a lot of highs and lows in the business, but that moment was the greatest high for me as an executive for an organization."

Starting in 2004, the Chargers won five AFC West titles over a six-year stretch with a core of stars whom Smith either drafted himself or who arrived when he was working under Butler. Rivers, Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson all became legendary figures with the Chargers.

While those teams are remembered mostly for their inability to win the Super Bowl—San Diego won 14 games in 2006 and 13 in 2009 before losing in the divisional round both times—fans would love to see that kind of consistency again. The team has made the playoffs only three times since 2010.

The Chargers had a 95-65 record during Smith's time as GM.