The 49ers officially traded Alex Smith today to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rumors about Smith’s future have been circulating ever since he was replaced by Colin Kaepernick in the middle of last season. Smith, who was drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2005, found himself in a strange position when he returned to the field after he suffered a concussion during week 10: on the sidelines.
The 49ers found a hot hand in Kaepernick and decided to ride him all the way to the Super Bowl. That, of course, meant that Smith would soon be leaving the team.
SF 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke said: “We would like to thank Alex for his contributions to the 49ers organization over the past eight years… He is a true professional who represented the 49ers with class on and off the field.”
The trade will see the veteran quarterback heading to Kansas City. The 49ers in return will get an undisclosed 2013 draft choice and a conditional pick in the 2014 draft. Smith must pass a physical before the deal is completed.
During his time with the 49ers, Smith completed 1,290 passes for 14,280 yards and 81 TDs.
#ThankYouAlex twitter.com/49ers/status/3…
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 12, 2013
It’s official, the #49ers have traded Alex Smith to the Chiefs for two draft picks. #FreeAgency twitter.com/49ers/status/3…
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 12, 2013
Smith was guaranteed $8.5 million in the last year of his contract with the 49ers, but it’s unclear what his contract will be like with the Chiefs. Kansas City will probably have to deal with its own QB issue in Matt Cassel before they can talk new contracts with Smith.
Are you surprised that the 49ers traded Alex Smith? Do you think he’ll have a successful career in Kansas City?
