Peter Schrager, who you may know from "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network, is reporting that the San Francisco 49ers are interested in Oakland Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith and that the feeling is mutual. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media adds that Smith is expected to sign with San Francisco after the start of free agency on Thursday.
49ers not done. Hearing mutual interest between SF and former Seahawks Super Bowl MVP and Raiders LB Malcolm Smith. @gmfb @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 9, 2017
Adding to @PSchrags: Super Bowl XLVII MVP LB Malcolm Smith expected to sign with the 49ers after the start of free agency, sources say.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
Smith, 27, was a seventh-round selection out of the University of Southern California by the Seattle Seahawks in 2011. He won Super Bowl XLVIII with Seattle and was voted the MVP of the game.
In March of 2015, Smith signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Raiders. Smith played in 31 games – starting 30 – over the past two seasons in Oakland. During that timeframe, he had 225 tackles, four sacks, nine passes defended, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles.
There is a link between Smith and the 49ers. Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator in San Francisco, was the defensive quality control coach in Seattle during Smith's first three seasons in the NFL.
