Smith leaves 49ers for new challenge in Kansas.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, NFL.com confirmed on Wednesday.
Speculation had been rife surrounding the future of Smith, after he was displaced as the starting quarterback for the 49ers by Colin Kaepernick having suffered a concussion mid-way through last season.
The NFL Network also confirmed that the 49ers would receive a second-round draft pick in 2013 and potentially a draft pick in 2014, giving Coach Jim Harbaugh plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
The trade has yet to be officially confirmed as the league year doesn’t start until March 12, but the Chiefs will be pleased to have Smith all-but on board.
Kansas finished the 2012 season with a 2-14 record, and also ranked last in passing yards and points scored with current quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn, who will now face uncertain futures.
Smith, 28, was the No.1 pick in the 2005 draft, and did lead the 49ers to a 6-2-1 record before suffering his injury.
However, despite enjoying a close relationship with Harbaugh under whom many believed he played his best football, he was unable to feature as heavily as he would have liked to after the emergence of Kaepernick.
With the 49ers seemingly pleased with their new starter, Smith has decided to make the switch to the Chiefs. A franchise that clearly want him as their No.1 quarterback, giving him the chance to re-establish himself in the league.
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