alex smith likely to ask for release.
 

Alex Smith has said and done all the right things since unceremoniously being replaced by Colin Kaepernick in the San Francisco 49ers' starting lineup. He has been the model teammate and a supportive backup. Now, it may be in his best interest to do something he probably imagined as unthinkable back in October.

A ProFootball talk report Monday indicated Smith is expected to seek his release before the start of free agency. Due to earn $8.5 million in 2013, with $1 million guaranteed now and the balance guaranteed as of April 1, the decision would allow Smith to be a factor in the beginning of the free-agent signing period.

A starting quarterback of a first-place team in Week 10. Asking for his walking papers three months later?

The unthinkable actually makes quite a lot of sense.

This year’s free-agent quarterback class isn’t exactly loaded with potential Pro Football Hall of Famers. Unlike last year, Peyton Manning aren’t being courted. Joe Flacco isn’t leaving Baltimore (especially not after this year) and there are questions about Michael Vick’s long-term future as a franchise quarterback.

Smith still has a future as a franchise guy. Many within the league believe Smith, put in the right situation, can still be a very successful starting quarterback. He took the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game a season ago and he was having a very strong 2012 season. If his confidence isn’t completely shaken, he can be a very interesting — and motivated — veteran quarterback to build a team around.


Also helping Smith’s case is the fact that it’s not expected to be a particularly deep quarterback draft class. Unlike the 2012 rookie quarterbacks, there doesn’t appear to be a Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck or Russell Wilson in this year’s crop of draft-eligibile gunslingers. There’s probably not a Ryan Tannehill, either. Geno Smith and Matt Barkley — the expected top quarterbacks in this draft class — are not viewed as the same kind of "can't miss" prospects as Griffin III or Luck. Would you rather roll the dice on a college quarterback? Or go with a guy who's been there before and is looking to prove his doubters wrong?

This only boosts Smith’s stock.

There are a number of teams — namely the New York Jets, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Arizona Cardinals, the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills — that could be looking to add a quarterback in free agency.

All eyes and attention will be on Colin Kaepernick this week. This report puts Alex Smith somewhat back in the spotlight.

Normally I would be on Smith's side, but he needs to understand the team has to try and trade him first.

No interest at all.

Alex Smith will stink anywhere outside of the 49ers.

Which is why the Jets will go after him. :rolleyes2

If the NFL had sign-and-trades like the NBA I think both Smith and the 49ers will be happy. I think the Jets would be happy if the NFL had a Bird exemption so they can use it on Revis.

NO...

WAY . . .

:P laughs turn into :eek:

He's better than Sanchez.

anyother qb in the nfl is better than sanchez,

Haven't you heard? We are trading Revis for Smith and a 2nd rounder.

Which we can then use on a Vlad Ducasse-caliber player. We'll be in the Superbowl in no time

link?

lol, why would anyone want Smith? He's just a game-manager who's useless without a great running game and good set of receivers.

He wouldn't help us at all, haha.

He will be in KC or AZ. They are that desperate.

:shakehead

He might be pretty good with andy reid. Reid seems to get the most out of his qbs.

You have done a 360 in under a year...from Superfan to SOJ.

Remarkable......

Smith could battle Sanchez for top spot. Jets can still draft a QB like Manuel, Bray, or Glennon

This all after they brought his man crush back to boot.

SF will not want him to go to AZ - which is why they might entertain a low-ish draft pick and Smith agree to sign a new deal, that way Smith still gets some say in where he ends up, and SF get him out of the division.