Alex Smith is set to remain in San Francisco after all.
The 49ers, fresh off their flirtation with Peyton Manning, are now in the process of finalizing a three-year, $24 million contract with Smith, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports.
Although many details -- including how much of that $24 million is guaranteed -- remain unknown, that’s the same deal Smith reportedly had on the table before free agency even started.
Much has changed for Smith since the start of free agency, however. The 49ers started trying to lure Manning, and Smith shopped himself to the Dolphins and Seahawks. It’s been suggested in the last few days that Smith’s feelings were hurt, and that he and the 49ers weren’t seeing eye to eye.
But the reality is that San Francisco is the best place for Smith, and Smith -- now that Manning is in Denver -- is the best option for the 49ers. This deal made too much sense not to get done, and it appears that it’s about to get done.