Smith's new contract means the 49ers have to win now and prepare for the future

March 11, 12:56 AMSan Francisco 49ers ExaminerSamuel Lam

Previous Next

9 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the San Francisco 49ers Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

With Alex Smith's new restructured contract, the 49ers enter this off-season just like last year.
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

As many of you know now, the 49ers have reworked quarterback Alex Smith's contract. Details of the deal have yet to be released, but it will be significantly less than the $24.6 million he was going to make under his previous contract for the next two seasons.

Smith was relieved that he was able to get this deal done and return to the 49ers. He said that he was glad to stay with the team that drafted him so he can take care of some "unfinished business." And more importantly, he was willing to rework his contract so he can remain with the team. This may have been the best move for the 49ers.

For the 49ers, they are ensuring themselves a quarterback that still has a lot of untapped potential. And with Smith under contract, along with Shaun Hill and Damon Huard at quarterback, the 49ers are giving themselves a chance to win. Unlike a certain situation in Denver, the 49ers have no serious issues at quarterback. The only question this off-season that must be answered is 'Who is the starting quarterback?'

This is what the team had been hoping for since the 2008 season ended. Hill was the clear favorite to enter the following season as the starting quarterback. However, the 49ers knew that Smith still had a chance to prove himself. And with the firing of Mike Nolan, new head coach Mike Singletary had to make a choice of whether or not to keep Smith. But keeping Smith allows the 49ers organization to avoid that "bust" term for at least two more seasons.

And much like last season, the 49ers will have a new approach on offense with a new offensive coordinator. Last year, the 49ers were the pass-happy Mike Martz style offense. This year, it's the running game of Jimmy Raye. But similar to last year, the quarterback position is a question mark.

Hill has a 7-3 record as a starter and salvaged the 49ers' season last year. Smith is the #1 pick that the team does not want to give up on. Huard is the most experienced quarterback of the bunch (in terms of games played) and provides the team with great insurance. If Hill, Smith or both fail to become the quarterback of this season, I can live with Huard under center.

The problem for the 49ers is not whether or not Hill, Smith or Huard can lead the team this year; but it's about which of these three can fit the team down the long run. With the 49ers, they haven't had a stable quarterback under center since Jeff Garcia left the team after the 2003 season. And no, the 49ers aren't going to pursue him or any other free agent quarterbacks. But with relatively a clean slate again, the 49ers will have to make a decision on the team's future.

How important is it to make it to the playoffs this year? Realistically, there is a good chance that the 49ers can win the NFC West. And with all the potential the 49ers displayed at the end of 2008, I would say that the 49ers could do it. Even President Jed York promised a playoff berth for the 49ers this upcoming season.

But I want to put that aside and look at the team's future. If the team wants to find their quarterback of the future, they need to stick with him all season long. Let's say that Smith ends up as the team's best quarterback entering the 2009 season. If he starts to play well for the 49ers, then the futures of Hill and Huard are pretty much done for. I wouldn't keep either of these players around unless they would be OK with a backup role.

The same can be said if it was the other way around with Huard or Hill entering the season as the team's best quarterback. If Smith doesn't get it, there is no more need to hold onto him. The 49ers have to eat the "bust" card and just move on. I don't want another three-quarterback battle again after this season.

I want an answer to this quarterback situation resolved by season's end. This is the last trial for Hill, Smith and Huard. One of these three will be the team's future quarterback. If the team has no faith in any of them, they might get one in the Draft. But as it stands right now, one of those three will be team's future. The other two will just have to take a step back and eat it.