49ers Release OLB Aldon Smith Following Arrest

Update:

The 49ers have confirmed that OLB Aldon Smith has been released from his contract.

Here’s a statement from the team regarding the move:

“This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues. Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue.”

49ers HC Jim Tomsula of releasing Smith: “Although he won’t be playing football for the San Francisco 49ers, he won’t walk this path alone.”

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Jim Trotter of ESPN reports that the San Francisco 49ers have released former first-round pick OLB Aldon Smith following his recent arrest for a hit and run, DUI, and vandalism.

• Jason Cole reports that the NFL is already reviewing Smith for further discipline.

The 49ers had said that they planned to wait until all the information was available, but it appears as though a third DUI was enough to convince them to part ways with the talented edge rusher.

It’s worth mentioning that Smith denied that he driving under the influence upon being released from jail Friday morning.

“It’s no DUI. And I’m sorry for anybody I let down,” Smith told KTVU. “I need to speak. And I want everybody to understand, this wasn’t a DUI. The situation that happened could’ve been handled differently. And I apologize to everybody I did let down and I apologize for how it all played out.

“But as far as everything is concerned, it’ll work out how it’s supposed to work out.”

Smith, 25, had his fifth-year option picked up by the 49ers last year, but he agreed to rework the deal so that a large majority of the contract would have be paid out through a series of roster bonuses. This allowed the team to move on without any cap issues.

According to Jason Fitzgerald, releasing Smith will free up around $2.9 million in cap room.

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.