In 2016, Smith had the worst statistical season of his career. He only caught 20 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Each of the three statistics were career lows. Of course, Smith finished the season on the injured reserve list after suffering a concussion on December 11 against the New York Jets.
Over the next three seasons, Smith would have carried a $9.6 million cap hit for the 49ers. Cutting Smith would save the 49ers $4.8 million in cap space in 2017.
"I believe we can win here," Smith said following the hiring of head coach Kyle Shanahan. "If I didn't have that belief, then maybe I'd be thinking differently. But maybe I probably wouldn't even tell you all that anyways. That's just being completely honest. I believe we can win here and I want to be a part of it."
Prior to his time in San Francisco, Smith was a productive receiver for the Baltimore Ravens and was part of the Super Bowl XLVII team that beat the 49ers. Through six seasons in the NFL, Smith averaged 17 yards per reception and got into the end zone 37 times.
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