The San Francisco 49ers released Aldon Smith last week following another arrest and now that the linebacker is a free agent, as report from Pro Football Talk has teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals as potential future landing spots.
Smith is a talented player, but he has had numerous issues off the field and that is what led the Niners to finally make a move. Smith reportedly was an option to get a contract extension from the 49ers and now that clearly will not be happening. According to Pro Football Talk, the 49ers and Smith had worked out a new contract agreement that was basically a one year deal with non-guaranteed money and now he is gone from San Francisco.
Smith has bene very productive in his career and the Niners have been trying to support the pass rusher, including after he was hit with a nine-game suspension last season. The San Francisco 49ers have moved on from Smith and while it may take some time for him to land elsewhere, teams should be interested in the linebacker. Pro Football Talk is not reporting that these teams have expressed interest yet, but Mike Florio writes that there are some logical fits, including the Eagles, Cowboys, Seahawks, Giants, Patriots, Packers, Lions, Steelers, Colts, Chargers and Giants.
All of those teams have issues rushing the passer along with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons and if Smith shows something to a team in a workout, he could get signed. Smith could be facing another suspension after being arrested for DUI and a hit and run. Mike Freeman at Bleacher Report wrote on Twitter on Friday that one GM "speculated" that Smith could get a 12-game suspension. Freeman also wrote that the GM told him that "we won't see Aldon Smith in an NFL uniform until next season."
Smith did not miss a game in his first two seasons in the league and he put up back to back seasons with double digit sacks. Smith had 14 sacks as a rookie and 19.5 sacks in 2012 and he comes in after playing in just seven games last season, recording two sacks and 15 total tackles. The Niners have gone through numerous changes through the offseason, losing Chris Culliver, Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Anthony Davis, Patrick Willis, Mike Iupati, Perrish Cox, Chris Borland, Justin Smith, Frank Gore, along with coach Jim Harbaugh for various reasons.
Check here for more on the potential landing spots for Aldon Smith.
