Though it’s unclear whether the 49ers have a deal in place -- essentially, effectively, or otherwise -- to trade quarterback Alex Smith to a new team, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT there’s “little doubt” a trade will happen.
The Chiefs have been the subject of the most speculation regarding a possible trade. The Cardinals also have been mentioned as a potential destination. And while the Packers in 2008 did everything they could to keep Brett Favre out of the division (including the use of a clause that would have pushed the bounty to a trio of first-round picks if he’d been traded to the Vikings, Bears, or Lions), other teams have traded quarterbacks within the same division, including the Eagles in 2010 (Donovan McNabb to the Redskins) and the Patriots in 2002 (Drew Bledsoe to the Bills).
The 49ers surely would like to get a deal done sooner rather than later. On the third day of the 2013 league year, Smith is due to earn a $1 million roster bonus. On April 1, the balance of his 2013 compensation becomes fully guaranteed.
A trade can be worked out at any time, in principle. The deal can’t be finalized until the first day of the league year, on March 12.