Alex Smith Reportedly Signs New Deal with 49ers

After a hectic few days that saw the San Francisco 49ers pursue Peyton Manning, Alex Smith reportedly signed with the team on Tuesday.

NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported on Tuesday, via NFL.com:

"

The @49ers and QB Alex Smith agree to terms on a new contract, @NFLNetwork's @michaelombardi reports. #freeagency

— NFL (@nfl) March 20, 2012"

According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Smith and the 49ers were closing in on a deal that would pay the former No. 1 pick $8 million per season. The contract length has yet to be reported, but Smith has been weighing a three-year offer from the 49ers during free agency.

Smith has certainly seen his fair share of turmoil while in San Francisco.

Before his breakout campaign last season, Smith struggled mightily with the team, made worse by the fact that he had five different offensive coordinators in his first five seasons.

But something changed in Smith last season—whether it was of his own doing or having a new coaching staff led by Jim Harbaugh or a combination of the two. He led the 49ers to six comebacks, including four on the road.

And when he needed to be more than a game-manager against the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs, he stepped up, throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers' spectacular 36-32 triumph.

After Manning signed with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, there was unrest in San Francisco. Had the 49ers offended Smith, and, if so, who was left for them to sign at the quarterback position?

But you had the feeling all along that Smith would re-sign with the 49ers. He's finally comfortable with the coaching staff for the first time in his career and he would be walking away from a good thing if he left San Francisco. For Smith to have come within one win from making it to the Super Bowl, it's hard for him to leave such a team.

What may have saved the 49ers in the end is Harbaugh's relationship with Smith.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Harbaugh met with Smith on Monday in hopes of encouraging him to re-sign with the 49ers.

It's fitting that it may have been team chemistry that kept Smith in San Francisco.

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