Smith was taking his time deciding whether or not to retire. The 49ers, who have been very patient during his decision process, were even open to a mid-season return for their three-time All-Pro.
He met with the team earlier this week but a final decision was not made until today.
Smith, nicknamed "The Cowboy", was signed by the 49ers as a free agent in 2008 after playing for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2001 until 2007. Considered to be one of the best 49ers free agent signings of all-time, Smith has 880 tackles, 87 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and three interceptions during his 14 year career.
The former fourth overall selection out of Missouri in the 2001 NFL Draft has been a key player in the stellar play of linebacker Aldon Smith, opening holes for the pass rusher to run through on his way to opposing quarterbacks.
During the offseason, the 49ers acquired free agent defensive end Darnell Dockett and drafted Arik Armstead out of Oregon in the first-round of the NFL Draft. The team also has promising youngster Tank Carradine, a 2013 draft selection out of Florida State.
Smith is 35 years old.
Career NFL and Team Awards
5x Pro Bowl selection
3x All-Pro selection
2x Len Eshmont Award winner
2x Bill Walsh Award winner
4x Matt Hazeltine Iron Man Award winner
1x Ed Block Courage Award winner
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers held pre-draft meeting with Georgia WR Arian Smith
Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reports that the San Francisco 49ers recently held a virtual meeting with wide receiver Arian Smith, Georgia's leading receiver last season. Fowler describes Smith as "one of the most explosive pass-catches in the class." Busy last few weeks... -
NFL.com: 49ers got 'ludicrously lucky' with Brock Purdy
Much of the offseason discussion surrounding the San Francisco 49ers has centered around the massive pay raise Brock Purdy is about to receive. But it's easy to forget how the team ended up with him as their starting quarterback in the first place. NFL.com's Tom Blair recently... -
NFL.com mock draft: How one selection can strengthen the 49ers defense in multiple ways
NFL.com draft analyst Eric Edholm recently released his second mock draft of the year, suggesting that the San Francisco 49ers could address multiple defensive concerns with a single selection. After losing key contributors this offseason, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw and... -
49ers Leadership Speaks: Lynch, Shanahan, and York at the NFL Annual Meeting
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and owner Jed York addressed reporters this week at the NFL's annual meeting in Florida. While Lynch's media availability was not recorded, conversations with Shanahan and York were, courtesy of Grant...