49ers will sign quarterback Alex Smith for next year, confirms Coach Jim Harbaugh – NFL News
San Francisco is going to re-sign quarterback Alex Smith for next year, Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed on Monday.
Talking to reporters from 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara, Harbaugh said he had told Smith about this decision.
Smith, a seven-year veteran, started his professional career with the 49ers in 2005. He received a one-year contract of $ 4.9 million from the franchise last year.
Smith’s first six seasons were below average where he completed only one season as the team’s starter. His highest quarterback rating was 82.1, which he received last year after starting 10 of 11 games played. He completed 204 passes of 342 attempts for
2,370 yards while throwing 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
However, since Harbaugh has taken charge of the 49ers, Smith’s performance has improved drastically. In his first coaching year, Harbaugh has led the franchise into the playoffs as second-seed team from the National Football Conference just behind the defending
Super Bowl champions, Green Bay Packers. The 49ers have also earned first-week bye in the postseason and the title of NFC West division champions.
Smith has played 16 games this season, all as starter, and completed 274 passes of 446 attempts for career-best 3,150 yards. He has also thrown 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions, carrying a quarterback rating of 90.7.
Smith wants to keep his focus only on the current season and is not up for any contract negotiations at the moment. Harbaugh respects Smith’s decision and said that the franchise would enter into contract negotiations with the quarterback after the season.
"I told Alex, 'Hey, we're going to want you to come back here next year.' He's focused on the season, and that's where his mindset wants to be. And I totally respect that, and we'll talk about it and address it once the season is over. That's the way I understand
it right now."
Meanwhile, Smith has also echoed the same thoughts. He asserted that he wants to keep his attention only on the postseason and lead the 49ers to winning the Super Bowl.
"It's probably a better question to ask me after the end of the season when everything is wrapped up. Right now, there's still a lot on the line. Not quite time for me to reflect on anything. We've done some good things, putting ourselves in a good situation,"
he said.
The 49ers will play their playoff-game on January 14.
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