Why Rush Into Alex Smith?

There’s rumor going around that the 49ers are nearing a three-year contract with free-agent quarterback, Alex Smith. The 49ers want him back and Alex Smith has stated that he wants to be back.

However, shouldn’t the Niners drag on negotiations a bit anyway? Why should they agree to a contract by the 1 PM opening of free agency?

They should use Alex Smith’s preference to return as leverage in negotiations. They know Smith doesn’t want to start over, play under another new head coach, and learn another new system – like he’s had to do his entire career.

But even if Alex Smith did want to start over, what teams actually need a quarterback?

NFC

Giants – Manning – No

Eagles –  Vick – No

Cowboys – Romo – No

Redskins – RG III – No

Packers – Rodgers – No

Lions –Stafford- No

Bears – Cutler –  No

Minnesota– Ponder – Yes

Saints – Brees –  No

Falcons – Ryan – No

Panthers –Newton- No

Bucs – Freeman – Meh, not really

Cardinals – Kolb – Manning? – No

Seahawks – Jackson – Yes

Rams –Bradford- No

AFC

Patriots – Brady – No

Jets – Sanchez – No

Tangent: What in the world were the Jets doing by extending Mark Sanchez for $40M, when he had two years remaining on his contract? He’s a bottom 10 quarterback in the league and they’re just going to hand him another $40M for being horrible?

Dolphins – Yes

Bills – Fitzpatrick – The Bills just gave him $59M so – No

Ravens – Flacco – No

Steelers – Roethlisberger – No

Bengals – Dalton- No

Browns – McCoy – Yes

Texans – Schaub – No

Titans – Hasselbeck – The Titans just signed him to a three-year deal last year so – No

Jaguars – Gabbert – He had a terrible rookie season, but Jacksonville won’t given up on him after one year given their investment in him – No

Colts – Luck – No

Broncos – Tebow – Of course not.

Chargers – Rivers – No

Raiders – Palmer – See, Hue Jackson? You unload your first round picks for somebody like RG III, not a quarterback that was at home sitting on his couch. – No

Chiefs -Cassel– Yes

There are five teams, not including the 49ers, that need a quarterback. With other quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn, Kyle Orton, and Jason Campbell on the free agent market, why would the Niners rush into a contract? Where is the demand for his services going to come from?

In the NFL, every dollar counts, so why pay Alex Smith what he might deserve, when it’s unlikely another team will? If the 49ers can squeeze Smith and save some money, they would have a little bit more money to throw at somebody like Carlos Rogers.

Simply put, there shouldn’t be any rush to re-sign Alex Smith when the 49ers have the leverage.