Former 49ers LB Aldon Smith signs one-year deal with Raiders
The Oakland Raiders signed former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, the team announced on Friday.
The Raiders did not release terms of the deal, but Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported Smith signed a one-year contract.
Smith chose to sign with the Raiders despite interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams, reports NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
The 49ers released Smith early last month after he was arrested in Santa Clara, Calif., on suspicion of a hit-and-run, driving under the influence and vandalism. After he was released from jail on Aug. 7, he told ABC in San Francisco, “Justice will be served, the truth will come out, there’s no DUI.”
The arrest was his fifth in the past three years and his third for drunk driving.
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“Aldon is an extremely talented young player,” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said in a team release. “We welcome him to the Raiders family and expect him to bring his best every day and be a great teammate.”
“We are confident that the Raiders provide an environment where Aldon can thrive through the support, structure and leadership within the building,” general manager Reggie McKenzie said in the release. “We are excited to have Aldon here in the Raiders family.”
Smith is eligible to play in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals despite ongoing discussions about his conduct, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Raiders will decide whether to use Smith in the game based on his conditioning.
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Smith was entering the final season of his contract with the 49ers before his release. San Francisco had recently restructured his $9.75 million contract.
Over 50 games with the 49ers, Smith recorded 44 sacks and five forced fumbles. San Francisco drafted him No. 7 in the 2011 NFL draft. He later made the Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro selection in 2012.
To make room for Smith on the roster, the Raiders waived defensive end Lavar Edwards.
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