National Football League

Report: 49ers set to deal Alex Smith

Published Feb. 24, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Colin Kaepernick‘s ascension in San Francisco has put Alex Smith out of a job.

It was widely speculated that the 49ers would either trade Smith, who was leading the NFL in completion percentage when he went down with a concussion in Week 10, or grant him his release this offseason.

The Niners are reportedly “highly, highly unlikely” to release the veteran quarterback, but it appears that a deal for Smith is all but done.

Jason La Canfora of CBSsports.com reported Sunday that a trade for Smith is “effectively complete,” but cannot be finalized until the league year officially begins on March 12.

The 49ers’ trading partner remains uncertain, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport names the Kansas City Chiefs as the team most likely to acquire Smith’s services. The Chiefs are one of several NFL teams desperately seeking an upgrade at quarterback after Matt Cassel flamed out last season, and the upcoming draft is lacking in elite talent behind center.

Rapoport suggested that Kansas City likely will add Smith in addition to drafting a “developmental” quarterback in the later rounds. Acquiring a free-agent signal caller would allow the Chiefs to address other needs with the No. 1 overall pick, which could be Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel.