Alex Smith to seek release from 49ers

[ThomasTomasz]

It's going to be a bittersweet week in New Orleans for 49ers backup quarterback Alex Smith. And it might be his last run as a member of the 49ers.

The team is expected to try to trade Smith this offseason, given the $8.5 million he's owed in 2013. But a trade isn't the only way out of San Francisco -- Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Smith "is expected to seek" his outright release from the 49ers this offseason.

It wouldn't be stunning if Smith is released: CBS Sports Jason La Canfora had Smith as his No. 3-ranked free-agent quarterback, a list made well in advance of even the Super Bowl. Smith and his big contract won't -- or, perhaps, can't --be in a backup role for all of 2013.

And trading him, especially if other teams are expecting his release, won't be any easier with a hefty contract.

But any idea that the 49ers will simply just outright release Smith without even attempting to get anything in return for the serviceable quarterback is a little naïve. Yes, Smith's been quiet while the 49ers turned to Kaepernick and left him on the bench.

He's also been the beneficiary of two sizable contracts from the team during his run in San Francisco. The notion that the 49ers should throw out the best interests of the team in order to let Smith choose where he plays football might be nice, but it's not exactly good business.

Of course, it might be the end result anyway, if San Francisco can't find any takers on the trade market for Smith.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/e...eek-his-release-from-49ers-before-free-agency

 

[PG24]

Can't blame him at all. The Niners most certainly will look to trade him before they cut him, and there could be a few suitors lining up to acquire him. The ones that stand out to me would be the Jaguars, Jets, and possibly the Browns depending on which way Chud wants to take the team and if he believes in Weeden and his already increasing age or not.

 

[Villain]

Can't blame him at all. The Niners most certainly will look to trade him before they cut him, and there could be a few suitors lining up to acquire him. The ones that stand out to me would be the Jaguars, Jets, and possibly the Browns depending on which way Chud wants to take the team and if he believes in Weeden and his already increasing age or not.

Funny you mention that. Smith is younger than Weeden.

 

[Prodigal Son]

This is no loss. His career didn't really have the best chance as he had to go through 6 or 7 coordinators in 6 years. I want to say this was his first year in the same offense for back to back years.

But, in reality, only bad teams are going to want to sign him, and that's only going to be as a stop gap until they draft their future starter.