Three Teams Have Reportedly Shown Interest In OLB Aldon Smith Since His Release

Jason Cole of B/R spoke to three teams that have already expressed some level of interest in potentially signing former 49ers OLB Aldon Smith.

However, all three teams admitted that there is still a lot of information that needs to be gathered, speficially the toxicology report from his most recent arrest. There’s also the issue of potential legal issues and whether he’ll receive discipline from the NFL for his latest off-the-field incident.

Some teams have told Cole that there’s still a question of whether it would be best for Smith to return to the NFL right now or if it would be better for him to take some time and get his life sorted out, given that Smith has been arrested five times.

Last night, Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post and Bleacher Report reported that Smith has interest from “several” NFL teams including the New York Giants.

Schultz points to the fact that the Giants are in desperate need for more pass rush help, given that Jason Pierre-Paul is still away from the team after he had his right index figure removed following a fireworks accident.

Even so, Schultz admits that Smith getting his life turned around is still what matters most at this point in time.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk mentioned over the weekend that it would make sense for an interested team to sign Smith to a contract to consider giving him a two-year agreement that would adjust depending on the discipline he receives from the NFL.

Florio listed the Seahawks, Cardinals, Packers, Lions, Vikings, Saints, Falcons, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Patriots, Steelers, Colts, and Chargers speculative landings spots for Smith.

The NFL is reportedly looking into Smith’s most recent arrest in which he was cited for a hit and run, DUI, and vandalism, and given that Smith’s latest arrest involves both substance-abuse policy and personal conduct policy, he could be in line for a lengthy suspension.

With this in mind, it seems likely that NFL teams will at least wait and see what transpires over the next few months before deciding to offer him a contract.

Smith, 25, had his fifth-year option picked up by the 49ers last year, but his decision to rework his contract and include a pay-as-you-go structure ultimately allowed San Francisco to move on without any cap implications.

In 2014, Smith appeared in seven games and recorded 15 tackles and two sacks for the 49ers’ defense. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next year, so he clearly has a lot to prove in 2015.

We’ll have more regarding Smith and his future in the NFL as the news is available.