Alex Smith, first number 49ers of the former San Francisco 49ers, announced his retirement Monday. But it wasn’t a decision that came right away. Smith explored free agency after being released by Washington before deciding to retire after 16 seasons in the NFL. There was some interest in the veteran signal call, but the The 49ers were not part of the teams fighting for Smith’s services according to Matt Barrows of Athletic.
Smith told ESPN’s Outside the Lines that the Jaguars were among the teams chasing the free agency. His former college coach Urban Meyer is now the Jaguars head coach and former 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is heading to his main office, so there’s familiarity.
It was speculated that the 49ers could try to switch to Jimmy Garoppolo and then sign Alex Smith as a cheaper veteran option to help guide his No. 3 overall pick.
Smith enters the 37-year-old season and wasted time last year with a calf injury to his leg that he had surgically repaired after a serious injury during the 2018 campaign. When he played, he was moderately effective and was capable of being a backup, but his days as the starter of a team with hopes of the Super Bowl are probably over.
That doesn’t fit into what the 49ers plan looks like this season. They aim to start Jimmy Garoppolo while the No. 3 win is in any part of the season or throughout the season because they believe Garoppolo can take them to the Super Bowl as a starter. It probably wouldn’t be the case for Smith under center.
Still, Smith’s magnificent career ended without him reuniting with the team that ranked him No. 1 in 2005. He played 16 years, went 99-67-1 as a starter and won. five beds for the playoffs.