Poor Alex Smith

Watching 49ers backup quarterback Alex Smith walking around the field on Super Bowl #mediaday was just about the most depressing storyline of the day. That picture above just sums it all up.

In an interview on the NFL Network, Deion Sanders expressed his dissatisfaction that Smith did not have a podium position among the other “important” players below]. Sanders really drove the nail into the coffin asking Smith if he made the “choice” to not have his own podium. Smith’s response, “No, no. I didn’t get a choice. Was there a choice?” Double ouch.

Coming off a stellar 2011–12 season that was realistically two punt return fumbles away from a Super Bowl appearance, Smith led the 49ers to a 6–2 record this season. A concussion against St. Louis, allowed Colin Kaepernick to show his ability in an impressive 32–7 victory over the Bears the following week.

Despite being ranked third in the NFL in passer rating (104.1), leading the league in completion percentage (70%), and having a 19–5–1 record over the past two seasons, Smith was delegated to a backup role.

Smith has reportedly asked to be release after this season and could be a the prize quarterback in free agency this off season.