NFL Notes: 49ers, Bills, Chiefs & Rams

49ers

49ers WR Torrey Smith explained that sometimes the thought of being traded and getting a fresh start with a new team has crossed his mind. However, he says he’s fully committed to the 49ers and helping them win games.

“I think the selfish side of you, you think sometimes a change of scenery would be a good thing,” Smith said, via CSN Bay Area. “But I know I’m very committed to everybody in this locker room and playing well.

“I’m a 49er. I’m going to go out there and play my ass off for these guys. It’s not something where I’m going out there and crying, banging down the door, saying, ‘Get me out of here.’ I understand the business side of it, too. Things haven’t gone the way any of us expected. So you’re never surprised when these things come about.”

• 49ers OC Curtis Modkins told reporters on Tuesday that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday’s game against the Saints. (Cam Inman)
• Modkins added that there has been no talk of Christian Ponder supplanting Blaine Gabbert as the team’s backup quarterback, saying: “We’re not there, yet.” (Matt Maiocco)

Bills

• Bills GM Doug Whaley tells WGR 550 there was “minimal contact” in the trade market and they’ve only received a few offers from teams. (Mike Rodak)
• Whaley did not rule out S Aaron Williams for the season and instead referred to him as day-to-day, despite being placed on injured reserve. Whaley added that Williams could be a candidate to be designated to return later on in the year. (Chris Brown)

Chiefs

Chiefs HC Andy Reid shot down the idea of them possibly having a quarterback controversy on their hands between Alex Smith and Nick Foles.

“I’m not even sure I like the way you’re going with this,” Reid said, via the Kansas City Star. “Alex can do all the things that needs to be done in this offense and do them at a Pro Bowl caliber level. That’s all that matters.”

Reid was asked if Foles’ arm strength could allow them to expand their offense.

“No,” Reid replied. “Alex, I’m not sure you realize how good he is. We’ve opened this thing up for him more than we’ve ever opened it up. He does a tremendous job. It was a shame that he didn’t have a chance to finish off the game plan because he would have had a ton of success with it. Not taking anything away from Nick — we didn’t have to cut a thing out for Nick, so that was a win-win for both guys.

“To think one would have done better than the other — I don’t think that. I think if Alex would have been in, we would have done the same thing.”

Rams

• Alden Gonzalez of ESPN writes that the Rams may have put extension talks on hold with HC Jeff Fisher, which would explain why the hasn’t an announced a new contract for him and GM Les Snead, despite previous reports that deals for the two of them could be done earlier in the season.
• Gonzalez mentions that the Rams’ head-coaching job would be “highly coveted” if they left it open next year.
• Gonzalez wouldn’t bet on the Rams starting rookie QB Jared Goff against the Panthers.