LISTEN: 49ers Look To Sweep Seahawks & Questionable QB Rankings →
placeholder image

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports


49ers officially release WR Torrey Smith

Mar 7, 2017 at 9:38 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
As newly-hired San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walked the halls of the team's headquarters for the first time, he ran into one of his inherited players and that player's son. The player was wide receiver Torrey Smith. After the two exchanged pleasantries and after hearing his new head coach during his introductory press conference, Smith was excited to play for Shanahan and even more excited about what his offense might mean for him.

"I'm able to turn little things into big plays and stretch the field," Smith said on KNBR in February. "That's one thing that we'll do, especially coming off a year like this where I didn't even get one chance at doing what I do best so I'm excited about playing in this offense where I know [Shanahan will] dial it up."

A month later, Smith is no longer on the roster. Following two down seasons, the 49ers have officially cut ties with Smith – releasing him after informing the wideout on Monday that he would not be back with the team. The receiver was hoping that Shanahan could resurrect his career and the feeling among many analysts was that Smith was improperly utilized by the past two coaching regimes – so there was hope that increased production was a possibility. However, 2017 would have been his third system in as many years while with the 49ers.

Now, Smith will try to catch on with a new team – or perhaps his previous team – via free agency and look to resurrect his career elsewhere.

"The 49ers would like to thank Torrey for representing this organization with tremendous class over the last two years," said general manager John Lynch via a statement issued by the team. "I have always had great respect for his skill as a player and as a wonderful example of how professional athletes can use their platform to make a difference in our community. We wish Torrey, and his family, all the best."

Torrey Smith, who was with the team for just two seasons, was brought in after four productive seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Each of his season totals with the 49ers became the lowest of his career. Smith had just 53 catches for 930 yards and seven touchdowns during his time with the 49ers.

During his four seasons with the Ravens, which included a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the 49ers, Smith had averaged over 53 catches per season and averaged nearly 898 receiving yards. During his two seasons with the 49ers, those averages dropped to under 27 catches per season and 465 receiving yards.

In 2016, Smith had the worst statistical season of his six-year career. He caught just 20 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Each of the three statistics are career lows. Smith finished the season on the injured reserve list after suffering a concussion on December 11 against the New York Jets.

Smith was scheduled to count nearly $9.5 million against the cap in 2016 and then $9.6 million during each of the next two years with a base salary of $6.5 million during each year. Cutting him saves the team nearly $4.7 million in cap space, but creates $4.8 million in dead money.

Related News





Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

49ers sign Tyrion Davis-Price to practice squad, release Isaiah Winstead

By Site Staff
23 hrs

The San Francisco 49ers have signed RB Tyrion Davis-Price to the practice squad and released WR Isaiah Winstead. Davis-Price was waived on Tuesday to make room on the active roster for safety Logan Ryan. The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown. Davis-Price (6-1, 219) was originally drafted by the 49ers in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, he has appeared in seven games with the team and registered 40 carries for 120 yards. In 2023, he appeared in one game and registered six carries for 21 yards prior to being waived by the team on December 5,


placeholder image

49ers vs. Seahawks: Brock Purdy gears up for familiar foe, acknowledges room for growth

By David Bonilla
20 hrs

Brock Purdy is gearing up to lead his San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks for the second time in three games. This time, the Niners will play host, with Sunday's NFC West clash taking place at Levi's Stadium. Purdy has faced Seattle more than any other opponent in his NFL career, creating a familiarity with the division rival. Despite never losing to the Seahawks, the second-year quarterback emphasizes that he won't take any opponent for granted. "They got good players, some really good dudes that have a lot of experience and stuff, obviously with [LB] Bobby Wagner and then [DB Quandre] Diggs in the secondary, some boys that are playing corner that have got some experience now under their belts," Purdy told reporters after Thursday's


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan provides injury updates on Arik Armstead, Spencer Burford, Elijah Mitchell ahead of 49ers-Seahawks

By David Bonilla
20 hrs

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided injury updates during his weekly interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR, shedding light on the statuses of some ailing players ahead of the team's Week 14 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Arik Armstead has yet to hit the practice field this week as he deals with foot and knee issues. On Wednesday, Shanahan said he would be surprised to see his veteran defensive tackle on the field this weekend. A day later, nothing has changed. "Armstead's still looking like a long shot," Shanahan said on the "Tolbert and Copes" show. "Haven't ruled him out yet, officially, but I'll talk to the doctors. But I


placeholder image

49ers' Christian McCaffrey offers scouting report on younger brother

By David Bonilla
19 hrs

Maybe the San Francisco 49ers will be in the market to draft another wide receiver soon. Suppose the front office seeks the opinion of running back Christian McCaffrey. In that case, he will likely be vocal in his recommendation—a certain Rice wideout named Luke McCaffrey, who happens to be his younger brother. "I would love to play with him one day," the older McCaffrey told reporters in the 49ers' locker room after Thursday's practice. "That would be the coolest thing ever. So I'm excited for him and his journey, and he's only going to get better." Luke, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, recorded 68 receptions for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, averaging 14.2 yards per catch. "Yeah, I've watched every snap of every game," Christian


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone