49ers Expected to Trade Alex Smith to Kansas City Chiefs

After suffering a concussion against the St. Louis Rams and losing his starting spot to Colin Kaepernick last season, seven-year quarterback Alex Smith is expected to pack his bags for Kansas City.

The trade rumor, leaked last week, is expected to officially go into effect March 12, the beginning of the 2013 NFL year.

Smith, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005, struggled early in his NFL career dealing with six different offensive coordinators in seven seasons.

Smith had difficulty getting comfortable with San Francisco’s multiple offensive coordinators, but thrived under the tutelage of head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Norman.

After the hard hit he sustained last November against the Rams, Smith was still able to complete a touchdown with “Blurred vision”, a typical symptom of a concussion.

That was Smith’s last game as starting quarterback for the 49ers. Yet, he was the NFL’s top-rated passer as he was benched.

The controversial decision to replace Smith with second-year rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick set in motion the impending Smith trade with Kansas City.

The reasoning for Smith’s replacement involves Harbaugh’s so-called “hot hand” rule. The controversy arises when considering the unwritten rule that a starter can’t lose his job by injury. For Smith, this wasn’t the case.

Harbaugh would state, “I usually tend to go with the guy who’s got the hot hand. And we’ve got two quarterbacks that have got a hot hand.”

Smith would ride the bench for the rest of the 2012 season and watch his team play in the Super bowl from the sidelines.

Smith’s future in the NFL does have glimmers of hope in Kansas City.

Though the Chiefs won just two games last season, they are positioned for big moves in the coming 2013 season.

Along with the Smith Trade, the Chief’s also hold the first overall draft pick which is speculated acquire Texas A&M left tackle, Luke Joeckel, a front runner in a very strong class of offensive linemen.

With new head coach Andy Reid, and running back Jamaal Charles, Smith can definitely make a run at a successful season in Kansas City.