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San Francisco 49ers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Aldon Smith

The San Francisco 49ers took as much time as was possible to make a final decision on Aldon Smith’s fifth-year option. They had until Saturday to decide whether to pick up the 2015 option that sits at over $9 million. When all was said and done and the dust had settled, San Francisco decided Smith was worth having around for another season. 

This decision wasn’t made difficult by Smith’s on-field play. After all, he’s the most accomplished sack artist in the history of the National Football League for a player with 50 games or less of experience.

Smith’s off-field issues, which have been well documented, is what made this decision difficult.

He’s facing DUI charges stemming from an arrest early last season, a situation that forced him into alcohol rehabilitation (via ESPN.com). In addition to that, Smith was arrested last month at Los Angeles International Airport for making a false bomb threat (via TMZ.com). This doesn’t even take into account an incident back in 2012 in which Smith fired off a gun at a house party and was stabbed (via ESPN).

Needless to say, San Francisco is banking on Smith to keep his nose clean and is taking a rather large gamble that he does. While commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that he’s likely not going to suspend Smith for the DUI, these other issues may force the NFL’s hand.

Photo: Kim Klement, USA Today

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