Aldon Smith - Pro Football Rumors

Raiders’ Aldon Smith Unlikely To Play In 2016

December 4th, 2016 at 8:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

8:39pm: The 60-day decision for Roger Goodell to make a decision on Smith has passed, since he applied for reinstatement Oct. 3, but a decision is expected soon, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. And despite not having played in a game since last November, the former All-Pro pass-rusher would be ready to play immediately, a source informs Florio. The 10-2 Raiders travel to face the 9-3 Chiefs on Thursday night, so a possible window for reinstatement could come in that 10-day break if Goodell deems Smith fit to return to work.

3:12pm: The Raiders are not expecting edge rusher Aldon Smith to return to the field this season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The NFL was supposed to have made a decision on Smith’s reinstatement by December 2, but Oakland has not heard back from the league as of yet. As such, the Raiders are “not counting” on Smith playing in 2016, and would consider any production from him to be a “bonus.”

Smith was suspended for a one calendar year in November 2015, but still agreed to a two-year, $11.5MM contract with the Raiders this spring. The deal contains no guaranteed money, and is heavily incentives through gameday active bonuses and performance raises, none of which Smith is earning while on suspension. He won’t earn any of the contract, in fact, unless he can get back on the field at some point.

Smith, 27, checked into a rehab facility this summer following a social media incident during which he may have been shown smoking marijuana. According to Rapoport, that rehab stay was extended by 60 days after Smith met with counselors and doctors. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, meanwhile, expressed his support for Smith earlier this year.

“Aldon is doing well,” McKenzie said. “That situation is going to be totally up to the league because he’s been in the program and they’ve monitored him. It’s up to Goodell to say yah, nay or when. And he could say no to everything … that part is out of our hands. The league will take everything into consideration and Aldon will have to meet with [Roger] Goodell at some point.”

A meeting between Smith and Goodell has yet to take place, and per Rapoport, it’s unclear if it ever will.

NFL’s Decision On Aldon Smith Due This Week

November 27th, 2016 at 10:17am CST by Rory Parks

Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith applied for reinstatement on October 3, and as ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has 60 days to render a decision on reinstatement under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. That 60-day period ends on Friday, December 2.

Smith was eligible to be reinstated on November 17, which marked the end of the one-year ban he received for violating the league’s substance abuse policy when he was arrested in August 2015 on drunken driving, hit and run, and vandalism charges. That was the fifth time Smith had been arrested since he entered the league as the seventh overall pick of the 2011 draft. The 49ers, who drafted Smith and who reaped the benefits of his fearsome pass rush ability for several seasons, had simply had enough at that point, and they cut Smith shortly after the arrest.

He was subsequently scooped up by the Raiders, and he posted 3.5 sacks for Oakland in nine games during the 2015 season. Despite his most recent suspension–he also served a nine-game ban in 2013 for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies–Oakland handed Smith a two-year, $11.5MM deal this spring.

Smith checked himself into a rehabilitation facility in Carbondale, Colorado in July, not long after a suspicious video post appeared on his Periscope account. That video featured an unidentified man that purportedly sounded like Smith and an unidentified woman talking about a hand-rolled cigarette. Smith has denied it was him in the video, but he entered rehab just the same.

He spent 120 days in the Carbondale facility, and although he also spent time in rehab in 2013, Schefter’s sources have said that Smith’s latest rehab stint had a “profound effect” on the Missouri product. The Raiders are optimistic that Smith will be reinstated and allowed to finish out the season, which would be a tremendous boon for the club as it battles to hold onto first place in the AFC West and competes for a first-round bye. Smith has accrued 47.5 sacks in 59 career games, and although he will not be expected to return to form right away, that kind of production does not grow on trees, and it shows why the 49ers and Raiders have exhibited considerable patience with Smith’s troubles.

Goodell’s decision could be taking awhile because the Periscope video compelled the league to investigate whether Smith violated the protocols required of a suspended player seeking reinstatement to the league following a violation of the substance abuse policy.

AFC Notes: Chiefs, Carr, Raiders, Dolphins

November 17th, 2016 at 6:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles landed on injured reserve Nov. 1 because he needed surgery on his right knee, in which he tore his ACL last season. It turns out Charles also underwent surgery on his left knee Thursday, but it actually increases the odds of a return this year, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Charles has now had the meniscus in each knee trimmed, not repaired, and could be a factor for the Chiefs if they make the playoffs. Despite having only gotten 12 carries from the four-time Pro Bowler this year, the 7-2 Chiefs are currently the AFC’s second seed and look bound for the postseason.

Aldon Smith Applies For Reinstatement

October 27th, 2016 at 9:54am CST by Zachary Links

Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith has applied for reinstatement, GM Reggie McKenzie tells Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle. Smith’s one-year suspension formally ends on Nov. 17 and league sources tell Tafur that he is out of rehab.

“Aldon is doing well,” McKenzie said. “That situation is going to be totally up to the league because he’s been in the program and they’ve monitored him. It’s up to Goodell to say yah, nay or when. And he could say no to everything … that part is out of our hands. The league will take everything into consideration and Aldon will have to meet with [Roger] Goodell at some point.”

McKenzie added that Smith is “working out and getting ready,” though the team is forbidden from contacting Smith per the terms of his ban. Tafur writes that Oakland has kept in touch with Smith through intermediaries, including Smith’s agent.

Smith appeared in seven games for Oakland last season and inked a two-year extension with the team this spring. His $11.5MM deal contains no guaranteed money, so the Raiders can cut bait without financial penalty if Smith cannot stay on the right path.

AFC West Notes: McKenzie, Chargers, Sanchez

July 30th, 2016 at 4:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

On the heels of his four-year extension, Reggie McKenzie will be ready to discuss extensions for Khalil Mack and Derek Carr after this season, when the 2014 draft choices become eligible to negotiate long-term contracts with the Raiders. The fifth-year Oakland GM said there has been a “constant dialogue” with the two standouts’ representatives, ones who profile as the best players the Raiders have had the opportunity to extend in many years.

“The plan is to keep good players,” McKenzie told media, including Jerry McDonald of Ibabuzz.com. “Y’all could come beat me across the head if I let a Hall of Fame-type player leave this building. I’ll take [their agents] out to dinner any time I see him. We’ve fostered good relationships.”

McKenzie’s most recent offseason — one that featured the most notable Raiders free agent signings this decade in Kelechi Osemele, Bruce Irvin and others — centered around free agency, but in 2017, Mack, Carr and Gabe Jackson become extension-eligible. Both Carr and Mack could soon be $20MM-per-year players, McDonald estimates.

Here’s more from the Raiders, along with the rest of the AFC West.

One of McKenzie’s free agent signings hasn’t worked out on the field, but the GM said the Raiders plan to stick by Aldon Smith despite his pattern of unavailability, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reports. McKenzie did describe the sixth-year player’s situation as an “uphill battle,” though. “We knew his situation,” McKenzie said. “It’s not like we had blinders on. Going into last year, we knew a suspension was probable. It’s going to be an uphill battle for him. He’s going to have to fight the good fight, but we’re not going to bail on him. He has to do his part.” Oakland has now signed the mercurial pass-rusher twice in two seasons and could see the second commitment fail to result in any Smith playing time this season. The former 49ers All-Pro checked himself into rehab earlier this week.
McKenzie’s decision to cut bait on disappointing former first-round picks Michael Huff, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Rolando McClain, while absorbing a $13.7MM dead-money hit upon releasing Richard Seymour, helped the Raiders’ rebuild in 2013, Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News writes. Those releases comprised part of the reason the Raiders held so much cap space the past two offseasons.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce endorsed the Chargers‘ downtown stadium initiative, Roger Showley of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. However, the backing might not mean too much since the measure, as of now, needs a two-thirds majority to pass in November.
That prospect remains a long-odds proposition, Union-Tribune’s Logan Jenkins points out. Jenkins doesn’t envision the measure passing at 50%. The California Supreme Court’s recent decision to review an appellate court’s ruling requires the measure to receive a two-thirds majority to pass. That 66.6% number is not finalized, however. Jenkins adds that the Chargers’ preferred downtown stadium not being likely to pass opens the door to a compromise in the form of a renovated Qualcomm Stadium. While the team’s efforts are being put into moving downtown, the Chargers will have options of becoming the Rams’ tenants in Los Angeles or making it work at their current Mission Valley site. Jenkins writes the latter choice would work out best for the Chargers’ standing in the community, staying in San Diego and not forcing what seems to be a largely unwanted downtown measure on taxpayers. A move to L.A. could decimate their fanbase as well, with the Rams having already set up shop there and the Chargers having essentially no footprint in the city.
Eric Fisher‘s contract extension — one that tacks on four years and $48MM to the left tackle’s deal — doubles as a huge leap of faith by the Chiefs, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com writes. Teicher points out the 6-foot-7 blocker from mid-major Central Michigan has been even more of a project than the franchise thought he’d be and that the team is rewarding Fisher for future performance as opposed to the modest production he’s shown.
Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian split first-team reps at Broncos practice Saturday, although the veteran’s command in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage is noticeable, Troy Renck of TheDenverChannel.com reports. Paxton Lynch took reps with the third team, per Renck.

Raiders’ Aldon Smith Checks Into Rehab

July 29th, 2016 at 1:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Aldon Smith has entered a treatment center, multiple sources connected to the NFL star tell TMZ Sports. It’s not immediately clear exactly what Smith is seeking treatment for.

Days ago, a man who appeared to be Smith was seen on his Periscope account smoking a blunt. Smith, of course, is suspended until mid-November for violating the league’s substance abuse policy following a DUI last year, so any repeat offense could have serious implications. The video showed an unidentified female and the hands and voice of a man (who is never shown on screen) appearing to smoke marijuana as the man engages in what he calls a “fire up session” and continues to tape the incident despite the woman’s protestations, claiming “we’ve got zero followers.”

The league’s substance abuse policy states that any player in stage three of the plan must engage in “abstinence from substances of abuse throughout the entire period of his banishment,” so if the NFL finds that Smith did indeed use illicit drugs during his suspension, he is unlikely to be reinstated in November. Smith, for his part, appears to have issued a denial through his Twitter account: “Good try, not me.”

An immensely talent player when his head is right, Smith played in seven games for Oakland last season before agreeing to a two-year extension this spring. The deal, worth $11.5MM, contains no guaranteed money and is heavily incentivized, so the Raiders can easily cut bait if they feel the need to.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Investigating Aldon Smith Social Media Post

July 25th, 2016 at 5:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Raiders edge rusher Aldon Smith is under scrutiny from the NFL after a suspicious post appeared on Smith’s Periscope account roughly two weeks ago, according Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link). CSNBayArea.com was the first outlet to report on the video, which contains the voice of a man — who purportedly sounds like Smith — possibly engaging in illegal drug activity.

Smith, of course, is suspended until mid-November for violating the league’s substance abuse policy following a DUI last year, so any repeat offense could have serious implications. The video shows an unidentified female and the hands and voice of a man (who is never shown on screen) appearing to smoke marijuana as the man engages in what he calls a “fire up session” and continues to tape the incident despite the woman’s protestations, claiming “we’ve got zero followers.” The video, one of 31 on Smith’s account, was posted July 8 and has been archived ever since.

The league’s substance abuse policy states that any player in stage three of the plan must engage in “abstinence from substances of abuse throughout the entire period of his banishment,” so if the NFL finds that Smith did indeed use illicit drugs during his suspension, he is unlikely to be reinstated in November. Smith, for his part, appears to have issued a denial through his Twitter account: “Good try, not me.”

An immensely talent player when his head is right, Smith played in seven games for Oakland last season before agreeing to a two-year extension this spring. The deal, worth $11.5MM, contains no guaranteed money and is heavily incentivized, so the Raiders can easily cut bait if they feel the need to.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Jets, Raiders, Titans

June 25th, 2016 at 10:34am CST by Ben Levine

Peyton Manning will surely be enjoying his first year of retirement, but the future Hall of Famer told reporters that he’ll still be keeping an eye on the 2016 campaign. Specifically, Manning will be watching his brother, his former teams, and a former teammate.

“I kinda look forward to this year being a fan of a lot of teams, people that I have connections with,” Manning told reporters Friday (via Conor Orr of NFL.com). “I’ll be pulling for Brock. Of course, I’m going to be a huge New York Giants fan, but I’ll be pulling for the Broncos and the Colts. I’ll be pulling for Adam Gase and Jim Caldwell, the head coach of the Lions. Coaches and players I’ve played with and competed with. Being a free agent, if you will, this year, to be able to pull for a lot of teams.

“I’ll be pulling hard for Brock (Osweiler), I know he’s going to have a great year.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the AFC…

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini reviews some of the largest contracts handed out to defenders in recent years, and he concludes that teams rarely get “that bang for the buck” that they’re seeking. Ultimately, while the Jets may not be concerned about a potential drop in Muhammad Wilkerson‘s production, Cimini believes the team could be looking to avoid that “buyer-beware element.”
With Geno Smith‘s contract expiring at the end of the season, Brian Costello of the New York Post wonders if we’ll see the best out of the Jets quarterback in 2016.
Raiders defender Aldon Smith will be arraigned for violating his probation, reports CSNBayArea.com. The 26-year-old was already on probation in August of 2015, when he was charged with DUI, hit and run and vandalism. According to the website, these charges proved to be in violation of that previous probation.
One of the Titans “big questions” heading into the preseason will be which wideouts will ultimately make the squad, writes Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. The writer mentions Kendall Wright, Rishard Matthews, Dorial Green-Beckham and Tajae Sharpe as locks to make the roster, and the writer could envision the team keeping an additional three receivers on the final squad.

AFC West Notes: Fisher, Aldon, San Diego, Broncos

April 23rd, 2016 at 5:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

With fifth-year option decisions due Tuesday, May 3, the Chiefs are procrastinating — at least publicly — on their choice on whether or not to pick up Eric Fisher‘s.

“I know a lot of guys have been exercising these options on players right now,” Chiefs GM John Dorsey said (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “I do things a little bit different. I think what I do is, I’m, at times, compartmentalizing a little bit too much. So really, the task at hand, for me, is to make sure we nail this draft. And I think when we get to Monday, we’ll deal with Monday.”

Fisher would be due a guaranteed-against-injury $11.9MM in 2017 if the Chiefs pick up their left tackle’s option. The No. 1 overall pick in 2013, Fisher improved last season after an unremarkable initial two years. But at $11.9MM, he’d stand to be the fourth-highest-paid tackle in 2017 — behind only Tyron Smith, Trent Williams and Anthony Castonzo. And by waiting until the draft is over, the Chiefs appear to be keeping their options open regarding their blind-side protector’s future, considering he hasn’t yet shown himself worthy of a cornerstone-type contract similar to the ones the aforementioned players received.

Kansas City has already participated in extension talks with Fisher in a likely effort to bring that prospective $11.9MM cap number down for a franchise that doesn’t look to have much cap space come next year, with most of its key players locked in for the next two seasons.

Here’s the latest from the AFC West.

Speaking at a stadium rally in San Diego on Saturday, Roger Goodell endorsed keeping the Chargers in the city and said that if the downtown stadium initiative goes through, the Super Bowl will return to San Diego. “I said it. I mean it. The Chargers belong in San Diego,” the commissioner said (via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, on Twitter). The Super Bowl last came to the city in 2003, with Qualcomm Stadium — now considered one of the worst in the game — hosting Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Dean Spanos also spoke in support of the $1.8 billion stadium/convention center project, although as Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune points out, the words “convention center” weren’t spoken by any of the guest speakers at the signature-collecting showcase that drew around 4,000. “I mean, dadgumit. … It just makes sense right? I hope I’m still around to play in it. Let’s get it done together,” said Rivers, who wasn’t enthusiastic about relocating to Los Angeles when the subject surfaced last year.
Aldon Smith‘s trial is set to begin May 2, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reports. The recently re-signed Raiders edge presence faces three charges from the August 2015 incident that led to his release from the 49ers — DUI with a prior conviction, hit and run and vandalism under $400 — according to Bair. Smith remains suspended for a substance-abuse policy violation and can’t return to aid the Raiders on Sundays until November, but the sixth-year veteran must be reinstated by Goodell. That hasn’t been a smooth process for recent offenders.
Free agent linebacker Nick Moody remains on track to testify at Smith’s trial despite a judge issuing a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in a Florida court to confirm this, Florio reports. Moody now insists his failure to appear in court Friday stemmed from a miscommunication. Moody spent two years with the 49ers before playing in three games with the Seahawks in 2015.
The Raiders are showing “serious interest” in Utah interior lineman Siaosi Aiono, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
The Broncos spent plenty of time trying to re-sign Brock Osweiler and Malik Jackson, and the defending champions added two tackles expected to start during the offseason. But they released Owen Daniels and didn’t make an attempt to bring back Vernon Davis, who signed with Washington. This could be due to the team’s high hopes for second-year tight end Jeff Heuerman, who missed his rookie slate with a torn ACL. “We expect (Heuerman) to step in and be a force,” GM John Elway told media, including Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “We’re counting on (Heuerman) big time,” Gary Kubiak said. “We feel like Jeff can be a total tight end. He’s not just a receiver. We think he has the ability to do both (catch and block).” A former third-round pick, Heuerman wasn’t known for his receiving chops at Ohio State. The 6-foot-5 tight end hauled in 792 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in four years, playing extensively as a junior and senior. Virgil Green is the only experienced tight end on the roster, so it may behoove the team to add some depth at this spot.

Contract Details: A. Smith, V. Davis, Knighton

April 6th, 2016 at 10:19am CST by Luke Adams

Here are the latest details on recently signed or agreed-upon contracts from around the NFL. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.

Aldon Smith, OLB (Raiders): Two years, $11.5MM. Annual salaries of $1.25MM. Up to $4MM annually in per-game roster bonuses. $500K annual workout bonus. Up to $3.5MM in annual incentives (Twitter link).
Vernon Davis, TE (Washington): One year, $2.4MM. $500K signing bonus. $600K of $1.35MM base salary is guaranteed. $150K roster bonus due on August 22. Up to $300K in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $2.1MM in incentives (Twitter links).
Terrance Knighton, DT (Patriots): One year, $2.018MM. $250K signing bonus. Up to $500K in per-game roster bonuses. $100K workout bonus. Up to $300K in performance incentives. Up to $2MM in playing-time incentives. $500K Pro Bowl incentive (links via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Jasper Brinkley, LB (Giants): One year, $1.8MM. $1.2MM base salary is guaranteed. $500K roster bonus paid on April 1. $100K workout bonus. Up to $500K in incentives for playing time (Twitter link)
Stefen Wisniewski, C/G (Eagles): One year, $1.51MM. $500K signing bonus. Up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1.25MM in incentives (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports).
Wallace Gilberry, DE (Lions): One year, $1.25MM. $340K signing bonus. $25K workout bonus. Up to $500K in incentives for performance and playing time (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
Jack Crawford, DE (Cowboys): One year, $1.1MM. $240K signing bonus. $100K workout de-escalator. Up to $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
Spencer Paysinger, LB (Dolphins): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $120K of $760K base salary is guaranteed. (Twitter link).
Kyle Love, DT (Panthers): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).