All-Pro outside linebacker Aldon Smith will continue to receive his full salary from the 49ers for the duration of the time he remains away from the team, sources confirmed to CSNBayArea.com on Wednesday. Smith, who entered in-patient treatment for substance abuse this week, has a base salary of $1.68 million this season. The 49ers will pay him his weekly salary of $98,978 during his leave of absence. Smith will not return to action until it is deemed he has made "significant progress," a source said. The 49ers placed Smith on the reserve/non-football illness list this week. Source: Comcast Sports
From what i heard, the niners could have chosen to pay him nothing or just a portion of his pay. I would imagine if he was making $15 mill/season, this decision may have been different
Tarell Brown still hasn't gotten his $2 mil back and this could've been a way for the organization to rectify that
