49ers Exercise OLB Aldon Smith’s Fifth-Year Option

 

Update:

#49ers exercise fifth-year contract option on LB @AldonSmith.

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 2, 2014

———-

Will Brinson of CBS Sports, citing a league source, reports that the 49ers have exercised OLB Aldon Smith‘s fifth-year option before Friday’s deadline.

• 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.“

Smith’s option is guaranteed for injury only and will run them $9.754 for the 2015 season. However, it won’t prevent them negotiating a long-term deal if that’s actually something they are considering.

49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters last week that he hopes Smith will be with the team in “2016 and 2017 and 2018,” so an extension could be an option depending on how things go in 2014.

There’s no question that Smith is entering a make-or-break season for the 49ers as he has had numerous off-the-field incidents in recent years.

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.