According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, the 49ers will have until 9 pm est to inform the NFL of their decision regarding OLB Aldon Smith‘s fifth-year option.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Wednesday night that the team was still deliberating over the matter. According to Florio, “it could go either way.”
49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters last week that he hopes Smith will be with the team in “2016 and 2017 and 2018,” per Eric Branch.
Previous reports mentioned that the 49ers are expected to decline his 2015 option and allow him to enter the final year of his rookie contract. If so, it would clearly be a make-or-break season for Smith who was recently involved in another off-the-field incident.
There is a decent chance that Smith could receive a suspension from the league. Smith’s non-guaranteed fifth-year option that would run them $9.754 for the 2015 season.
Smith, 24, appeared in 11 games for the 49ers last year and totaled 34 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 5 outside linebacker in a 3-4 system last year.
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