Alex Smith was the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers up until a few weeks ago when he was sidelined with a concussion. Colin Kaepernick stepped up while the veteran quarterback recovered.
Well, Smith has been cleared to play (he was cleared for last week’s game) but coach Jim Harbaugh has decided to demote Smith to second string.
“You state your case with your play. I feel like I’ve done that. I feel like the only thing I did to lose my job was get a concussion. . It’s tough. It stings the most just because I really felt there was something special going on here and you sacrifice and invest so much time. I felt like I was playing good football. I have no idea what’s going to happen from here. All I can do now is just prepare and get ready.”
Smith isn’t happy with sitting on the sidelines but said that he doesn’t hold any ill will toward Harbaugh or Kaepernick.
Smith added:
“No resentment. I don’t get to make those decisions. That’s what he gets paid to do. He’s the head coach. I play football. That’s what I’m going to continue to do. Continue to get ready. And make the most of my next opportunity.”
ESPN reports that Smith was having one of the best year’s of his career. He had the fifth best quarterback rating in the NFL and lead the league with a 70.o completion percentage. So why bench him?
The 49ers haven’t lost with Kaepernick taking the snaps and Harbaugh apparently wants to go with the hot hand. Kaepernick will be starting this weekend but Harbaugh said that it was possible to see Smith back on the field at some point this season.
Harbaugh said:
“Alex is a class act all the way. He’ll prepare as if he is the starter. And that’s what we would expect. And be ready to go in and play and contribute to this football team. We’ve got two quarterbacks that we feel great about as the starting quarterback. Anything’s a possibility. I would assume nothing, or rule out anything.”