Off the field issues brought an end to Aldon Smith‘s time with the San Francisco 49ers, and he landed across the bay with the Oakland Raiders last season. After registering 3.5 sacks in nine games with the Raiders, Smith was hit with a one-year suspension in mid-November. Even with that, and a couple weeks after general manager Reggie McKenzie acknowledged talking to Smith, the two sides have agreed to a deal.
Raiders and Aldon Smith have agreement in place, source told ESPN. Smith was spotted at team building today, trying to finalize deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2016
Smith’s free agency options were obviously limited by his suspension, and the Raiders were probably his only realistic landing spot at this point in the offseason. It’s possible he doesn’t get reinstated upon completing his suspension, unless he shows he’s put his past alcohol-related incidents firmly behind him, so it’s safe to assume Oakland has not given Smith more than a one-year deal.
Smith’s dominant first two seasons, with 33.5 sacks in 2011 and 2012, seem like a long time ago and in NFL time they are. A year away from the field will be a challenge, to say nothing of not being guaranteed reinstatement, but Smith will still only turn 27 years old in September. He may never get back on the star track he was on four years ago, but the Raiders will be happy to have a fresh pass rusher on the field for the stretch drive of the 2016 season. If he can keep his off-field life in order, now and right on through next season, Smith can provide that.
