The odds are slim that Smith, who posted impressive numbers before being injured, will return to the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Alex Smith (11) and Colin Kaepernick (7) likely have just one game left as teammates.
NEW ORLEANS - Colin Kaepernick is the new face of the San Francisco 49ers. Alex Smith is in the process of being phased out.
While a super-sized image of Kaepernick adorns the façade of the Niners’ team hotel for the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVII, their former starting quarterback is preparing for his likely last game with the team.
Although Smith has maintained a good relationship with Kaepernick, there’s little chance Smith accepts the role as the backup next season.
Smith signed a three-year contract last March that is set to pay him $7.5 million in base salary and a $1 million bonus in 2013. Considering Kaepernick is set to earn $740,844 for his third year in the league, the Niners are expected to either trade or release Smith before his full high price kicks in on this April.
There is a possible twist to Smith and team parting ways, however. Pro Football Talk reported Smith will instead ask for his release so that he has more time to land elsewhere as a starter.
Given there are no surefire prospects in April’s NFL draft, teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs should have more than lukewarm interest in the 2005 first overall pick. Smith’s experience and recent high efficiency as a starter can’t be ignored.
Just as the Niners have no reason to look back with Kaepernick, Smith should have his mind on moving forward as quickly as possible.