Alex Smith's days as a member of the San Francisco 49ers appear to be numbered.
According to the L.A. Times late Monday, CBS' Jason La Canfora reported that the 49ers are nearing a deal to trade Smith, who started for the 49ers before he was sidelined during their run to the Super Bowl.
"The 49ers have expressed to others that a deal for QB Alex Smith is effectively complete. Can't be finalized til league year begins 3/12," the tweet from Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com read on Sunday.
The earliest that the 49ers could complete a deal would be on March 12. However, sources told ESPN that no deal to trade Smith at this time.
If the reports do turn out to be true, then it signals what many saw as a changing of the guard when Smith was injured with a concussion in November, forcing the 49ers to start backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick for the duration of the season.
Kaepernick caught fire, becoming an instant hit with fans and leading the 49ers to and NFC Championship win before he and San Francisco fell just short of winning Super Bowl XLVII.
However, prior to that, Smith--drafted by the 49ers with the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005--was having a stellar year, throwing for 1,737 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 104.1 quarterback rating as he led his team to a 6-3-1 win-loss-tie record. Since 2005, Smith has thrown for 14,280 yards and 81 touchdowns with 63 interceptions.
In addition, Smith is due to make $7.5 million next season, which has fueled speculation since Kaepernick's rise to stardom that he would be traded.
According to NFL.com, the Kansas City Chiefs have indicated that they are interested in Smith. There has also been word that the Jacksonville Jaguars might have wanted to acquire Smith, but, as the Times reports, Jaguars General Manager Dave Caldwell texted "not us" to the Florida Sun-Union to quickly squash any speculation that his team had obtained Smith on Sunday.