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NFL Rumors: San Francisco 49ers expected to exercise Aldon Smith’s fifth-year option

By Andrew Melnick

Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) rushes past Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Donald Penn (70) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) rushes past Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Donald Penn (70) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) rushes past Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Donald Penn (70) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) rushes past Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Donald Penn (70) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams have until Saturday to decide whether or not to pick up their fifth-year options on players taken in the 2011 NFL Draft.

In some cases, like Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton, Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver  Green, Arizona Cardinals’ cornerback Patrick Patterson and Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Julio Jones, the decision is easy.

The San Francisco 49ers’ decision on Aldon Smtih should be easy, but because of Smth’s legal history and current pending issues involving his claim that he had a bomb at the airport, it isn’t.

Still, in the end, talent is expected to win out.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, it is believed the 49ers will eventually exercise Smith’s option.

"The 49ers decision on Aldon Smith, given his extensive off field issues, will be watched closely, with several league sources anticipating ultimate San Francisco will exercise that option for 2015."

Smith made 34 tackles with 8.5 sacks in just 11 games last season. In his three-year career (43 games), Smith has 137 tackles and 42 sacks, including 14.0 in 2011 and 19.5 in 2012.

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