Doesn't appear Alex Smith will be released

If Jim Harbaugh's comments are indicative of anything, it doesn't appear the San Francisco 49ers will release quarterback Alex Smith.

A report surfaced last week that Smith would ask the organization to release him following the Super Bowl, which the 49ers lost 34-31 to the Ravens. When asked about it on Tuesday, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh dismissed the notion that San Francisco would simply cut Smith. “I don't think any player (asking for his release) has those wishes granted when they're under contract,” Harbaugh said, via the Sacramento Bee. “And everything's different. Every scenario is unique. It's certainly not something we're going to delve into and get into specifics."

However, this doesn't mean the 49ers won't seek a trade for Smith. Smith was having his best season as an NFL quarterback before sustaining a concussion. Having to miss a game due to the concussion, the 49ers got a good look at Colin Kaepernick and elected to go with him the remainder of the season at quarterback.

It's likely the 49ers believe that Smith, still under contract, has some value on the trading block for teams in need of a more than capable quarterback.