There was a report last week that 49ers QB Alex Smith will seek his release before free agency, which starts in March. On Tuesday, head coach Jim Harbaugh all but shot down the notion. “I don't think any player (asking for his release) has those wishes granted when they're under contract,†the coach said, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “And everything's different. Every scenario is unique. It's certainly not something we're going to delve into and get into specifics.†The implication, of course, is that Smith is available via trade, and there are plenty of teams in search of a starting quarterback. The Browns, Jets and Cardinals are obvious choices, though we're too early in the process to have any real sense for how this plays out. Last week, 49ers CEO Jed York said there was room under the cap to keep Smith but didn't commit to bringing back the first-overall pick from the 2005 draft. "From a need standpoint? It's pretty nice to have two quarterbacks that you feel you can win with," York said. "Is there going to be a demand for a quarterback that's played as well as he has the last couple of years? Yeah. Does he want want to go start and play? So there are a lot of things that go into it. And we'll sit down after the Super Bowl and figure out what's best for everybody and how to move forward." Source: CBS Sports
Duh. Why would he say that they were planning on releasing him? You think they aren't going to try to get something for him?
Jim Harbaugh did a stupid thing by benching Alex Smith, he thought that Kaepernick will win the super bowl.. Let's not forget, no matter how good is Kaepernick and how strong is his arm, the guy need more experience in NFL. Why would you bench a starting QB with a back up? Now they want Alex Smith back....:)... Jim are you going to do the same thing next season, play with Smith for about 8-10 games and after that bench him again for unknown reason?
They paid HUGE $$$$ for Smith so they want something for that effort, as bad as he was they never asked for his $$$ back because he sucked so bad in the beginning.
1. Alex Smith still has value, especially when considering Vick and ????? are the other options and how many teams need QBs. 2. He may still have value to SF considering Kapernick still hasn't been really hit yet. See what happens if he has an RGIII moment.
I don't agree with releasing him at all, but I don't agree with keeping someone for a backup position if he can be traded to strengthen your team at other positions of need. Backup quarterbacks can be had for pretty cheap, not as good as Smith, but I don't like holding onto "what ifs".
They're going to trade him. They will find a trade partner and get a deal done. They're not going to just let him go and get nothing in return. And he is under contract so they could keep him if they chose to (restructure his contract). They have a QB who could be promoted from 3 to 2 on the depth chart that beat out several other QBs that have been brought in. And I'm sure Harb will find a QB in the later rounds to develop.. with 14 picks in this year's draft, they have tons of flexibility to move up, down, next year.
If he is on the roster at the beginning of the season the entire year is guaranteed so there is 0 chance Alex would restructure the deal.
