For those wondering why the San Francisco 49ers and soon-to-be free-agent quarterback Alex Smith haven't hammered out a new contract yet, Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area has your reason.
Smith is looking for a contract that rivals what the Buffalo Bills paid Ryan Fitzpatrick last season, and the 49ers don't appear comfortable giving him that kind of money.
Sources told CSNBAyArea.com late in the season that the 49ers were looking at a two- or three-year contract worth from $8 million to $11 million annually for Smith's services.
Meanwhile, agent Tom Condon is likely looking at the extension the Buffalo Bills awarded Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed a reported six-year, $59 million deal with $24 million guaranteed.
This obvious gap between the two sides is what's holding up any kind of deal that would ensure Smith is back in San Francisco in 2012.
But after a 2011 season in which Smith took several steps forward under coach Jim Harbaugh and the Niners won 13 regular season games, it's hard to see the two sides separating this offseason.
Maiocco insists that the yearly salary range of $10 million isn't the main holdup, but the 49ers may be balking at the $24 million in guarantees that Buffalo handed Fitzpatrick last fall.
Both Smith and the 49ers appear to have some leverage in contract talks.
As Maiocco points out, Harbaugh is on the record saying Smith was an "elite" quarterback last season. Smith obviously wants to be paid near an "elite" quarterback, especially after he made just $5 million on a one-year deal in 2011.
But the 49ers also traded up to grab Colin Kaepernick in the second round last April, and tying up a bunch of (guaranteed) money in the guy he was supposed to replace probably wouldn't sit well for Niners management.
While Kaepernick may still be a year or two away, the 49ers don't want to get stuck with a salary cap burden should Smith regress or Kaepernick overtake him as the starter sooner rather than later.
Either way, there should be incentive for the two sides to eventually come to an agreement that brings Smith back to San Francisco.
The 27-year-old quarterback finished 2011 as the No. 8 overall quarterback, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith threw for almost 3,200 yards and 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions during a 13-3 regular season, and then marched the 49ers to a dramatic win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round with a late touchdown pass to Vernon Davis.
Leaving San Francisco would void Smith of Harbaugh's tutelage, not to mention he'd have to learn another offense with another offensive coordinator. The best way for Smith to continuing progressing as an NFL quarterback is with the 49ers.
Kaepernick probably isn't ready to take over the offense, either. If the quarterback play suffered next season without Smith, the 49ers could take a big step back.
The chances appear very low that Smith would be playing anywhere else in 2012. But it may still take the two sides time to iron out a new deal.
Expect a compromise from both sides, with Smith likely accepting a three- or four-year deal in the range of $30-40 million and $15 or less million in guarantees. A deal resembling that might be a best case scenario for both sides.
San Francisco Seals Reading Rage Monterrey La Raza West Virginia Chaos
No comments:
Post a Comment