The Sacramento Bee refers to the notion that the 49ers will keep Alex Smith as Colin Kaepernick's backup a "myth."
Beat writer Matt Barrows believes the Niners are attempting to "create the illusion" they could keep Smith in order to maintain leverage in trade talks. Smith's $8.5 million in scheduled pay is much too lofty for a clipboard holder, and keeping him would risk "locker room turmoil" if Kaepernick struggled. The 49ers will try to trade Smith. If they can't, they might just release him.













