Alex Smith: 49ers’ Vague Stance on QB’s Future Increases Trade Value

February 9, 2013   ·   Matt Fitzgerald   ·   Jump to comments

Demoted 49ers QB Alex Smith is in a precarious situation with his longtime team. Still under contract and due $8.5 million in 2013, the Niners' vague statements in the media about Smith's status will only increase his trade value for teams desperately searching for a franchise signal-caller.
What San Francisco can't afford to do is cut him. While it would save the team some cap room, there is a strong possibility that he could be swooped up by the Niners' NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.
These assertions have substance thanks to ESPN's John Clayton, who shared his beliefs about what the Niners' current strategy for Smith means (h/t ArizonaSports.com):
Oh, they're bluffing in that way because they're trying to get trade value and in some ways, they need to get trade value because I would have to think that if he's released, he'll make a beeline to Arizona and compete against the 49ers two times a year for the next several years.
Smith essentially lost his startin...

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