Niners Quarterback Alex Smith Won’t be an Arizona Cardinal via Free Agency

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49’ers can say they won’t trade Alex Smith to the Arizona Cardinals all they want.  They did come out and say today they would consider shopping him around, however it is unlikely they will release the quarterback.  However, if they are looking for a trade partner, the Cardinals would appear to be in the hunt but you won’t hear that from the Niners.

Is it a ploy to get the Cards to overpay for another quarterback?  Possibly?  Should the Cardinals consider going after Smith, even if it means taking another chance at overpaying for someone to start behind center?  I say yes.  Some say no.  In my estimation, it could go either way.  It has been suggested by some that the Cards might be nervous about getting burned again.  I get that, however it is still a quarterback driven league.  You try to win year in and year out no matter the cost.

I’m still firmly a believer in Kevin Kolb.  However I think it behooves the Cards to do their due diligence and find someone that will be able to compete for the starting job.  There is also a little thing called money, as in the money the Niners are due to pay Smith if no decision is made on him before April.

The Niners are due to pay a hefty salary to Smith if they keep him around.  He would be making north of seven million – as a backup.  I doubt the Niners are willing to let that happen.  So, should the Cards wait on their quarterback hunt until they see what happens there?  It is a gamble however I wouldn’t go about putting all the eggs in one basket like they did last summer.  We all know how that story ended.