Again and again this offseason, we’ve heard from 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh that he wants to retain quarterback Alex Smith and expects to do so.
We haven’t heard a lot from Smith. The fact he didn’t sign with the team before the lockout started appeared to indicate an interest in testing the market. Until Tuesday.
Smith told reporters after a workout he was likely to return to the 49ers. Mindi Bach of CSNBayArea.com writes that Smith asked not to be quoted directly, but clearly indicated he’s expecting to remain on the team.
When last season ended, it was hard to imagine a scenario Smith came back to San Francisco. He wanted out, and the organization didn’t figure to want him back either.
But Smith and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh have hit it off, with Smith saying Harbaugh’s offense reminds him of Mike McCarthy’s 49ers attack from Smith’s rookie season.
Perhaps it’s only a marriage of convenience in a bizarre offseason, but it’s a marriage that will improbably last another year.