Harbaugh, 49ers Will Not Let Alex Smith Decide His Own Fate This Offseason

Two days after losing the Super Bowl and blaming the referees, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said all the right things, blaming himself and the play-calling. He also mentioned the future of Alex Smith, the now high-priced back-up quarterback that likely wants nothing more than a fresh start in a new uniform.

Report: Alex Smith Already in High Demand By NFL Teams

It is unknown what the future holds for Alex Smith. He will likely be in a new uniform next season, but little is known about whether or not he will be traded or simply released by the 49ers.

ESPN is reporting that teams are already coming forward and will inquire about Smith in the near future for a possible trade with San Francisco.

Poor Alex: Smith's Toughest Week as a 49er?

Alex Smith had to fend off questions surrounding the latest report that he will request his release from the 49ers before the March 12 start to NFL free agency, as well as deal with the fact he will not be starting for the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

49ers Only Have So Many Options When It Comes to Alex Smith, Free Agency

The 49ers are at a crossroads with Alex Smith.  They can thank him for being a good teammate -- despite replacing him as the starter -- and release him before free agency on March 12, or they can trade him to an NFL team in desperate need of a starting quarterback.

Report: Alex Smith Requests Release From 49ers Before Free Agency

The 49ers are in a pickle -- give Alex Smith what he deserves by staying true to the 49ers by granting him release from the team, or trade him to one of several teams dying for a starting quarterback?

WATCH: Alex Smith All Smiles in 49ers' Postgame Celebration

Alex Smith does not have to be all smiles in the 49ers locker room after a big win. His starting job was stripped of him after suffering a concussion, and given to a second-year player with a bright future.

Aaron Rodgers: 49ers' Alex Smith Needs New Team

It is hard for Alex Smith not to be compared to Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers.

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Smith with the No. 1 overall pick in 2005 instead of taking Rodgers out of UC-Berkeley. The Packers went on to select Rodgers with the 24th overall pick.  Smith was widely considered the safer pick, but fast forward seven years and Rodgers has a Super Bowl ring and is a bonafide elite quarterback in the NFL.

49ers Bordering on Divided Locker Room?

One loss into the Colin Kaepernick era in San Francisco and blame is spread around like the 8-3-1 team just lost an actual meaningful game.

The blame for the 49ers’ 16-13 overtime loss to the Rams on Sunday can be found placed on offensive coordinator Greg Roman for the less than creative play-calling, Jim Harbaugh for allowing the poor option play call that eventually led to the defeat, Delanie Walker’s dropped guarantee on a touchdown and Kaepernick himself.  Suddenly, the 49ers have problems, and potentially even bigger ones if things continue to go wrong in the coming weeks.

Harbaugh: Alex Smith 'Is Not Out of This'

For the first time this season, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was put on the defensive, admitting the blame for bad calls and directly answering the status of the team's quarterback situation.

Harbaugh did announce who his starter would be, announcing it would be Colin Kaepernick for next week's game at home against the Dolphins, but he did not waver when asked if Alex Smith had a chance of regaining the job of starting quarterback this season.

Report: Staley Unhappy With 49ers Starting Kaepernick

One loss into the Colin Kaepernick era in San Francisco, and all hell breaks loose ..... reportedly.

49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley is supposedly upset with Jim Harbaugh's decision to start Kaepernick's "hot hand" instead of returning to Alex Smith post-concussion. Staley and Smith are known to be good friends, and reports within the last week say that Smith is not taking the demotion too well. Staley is not, either.

49ers: Feeling Sorry For Alex Smith

Thursday seemed to be "Feel Sorry For Alex Smith Day" not just in the Bay Area, but across the country. The prim and proper quarterback that overcame such hardships in his first few seasons finally came around once he was given a chance to succeed ......... then was replaced by the better quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.

49ers' Vernon Davis: 'Alex Is Still the Man'

Clearly, the 49ers have found something in changing quarterback at 6-2-1 on the season. With Colin Kaepernick at the helm, they are now 2-0 and now among the favorites to win the Super Bowl.

However, not everyone agrees. Vernon Davis told reporters this after Sunday's gritty win over the Saints on the road.

Harbaugh, 49ers' Antics Made Kaepernick Start vs. Saints Inevitable

Wednesday's festivities at the 49ers' practice facility in Santa Clara made it blatantly obvious that Colin Kaepernick would be the starter against the Saints on Sunday, despite the 49ers' intentions.

Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter reported Wednesday night that Jim Harbaugh has told Kaepernick that he will be the starter vs. the Saints. Even worse for the other end of the quarterback controversy -- Alex Smith -- Trotter is

49ers: Harbaugh's Teleconference Cancelled, Back to Hospital for Evaluations

Jim Harbaugh never got a chance to clear up the comments he made about his current quarterback situation after Monday night's thrashing of the Bears.

If you remember, Colin Kaepernick lit up the Bears' defense in Alex Smith's absence, and Harbaugh's postgame press conference after the game did

Harbaugh Noncommittal on 49ers' QB vs. Saints; QB Controversy Underway

According to Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have two red-hot quarterbacks on their roster right now, and a decision will be made this week to determine who will be starting on Sunday vs. the Saints.

Colin Kaepernick blew the pregame expectations out of the water on Monday night in front of a nationally televised audience, and that will be

Report: 49ers' Alex Smith Expected to Start Monday vs. Bears

Expect Alex Smith back under center for the San Francisco 49ers Monday night game against the Bears, despite the concussion he sustained in Sunday's tie vs. the Rams.

According to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, if Smith is cleared to play he will start for the 49ers, and all indications point to Smith being cleared to play.

San Francisco Giants: Bochy Shows Support For Alex Smith, 49ers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith was originally fined $15,000 by the NFL for wearing a San Francisco Giants hat during Sunday's postgame press conference, following the 49ers' victory over the Detroit Lions.

Smith's fine of $15,000 was rescinded, and the NFL instead gave a warning to the 49ers quarterback.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions: Week 2 Preview and Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers will encounter another very strong offensive team when they line up against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The 49ers, who defeated the favored Green Bay Packers last week, will look to add on to their already terrifying array of accolades shown in the Packers win by knocking off Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and the Lions in the Candlestick Park home opener.

San Francisco has been dealt another team that will throw the ball at will.

San Francisco 49ers: Is It Super Bowl or Bust This Season?

The San Francisco 49ers are among the favorites to win the 2013 Super Bowl, and with that comes some lofty expectations and immense pressure.

            The pressure comes in the form of fans expecting them to win week after week, judging by the 13-3 2012 season in which head coach Jim Harbaugh pushed all the right buttons, quarterback Alex Smith threw all the right passes and the defense came up with the big plays when the moment got tough.

            Is it Super Bowl or bust this season, though?

San Francisco 49ers: Why Alex Smith Will Still Be Limited This Season

The San Francisco 49ers were arguably one wide receiver away from advancing to the Super Bowl in 2012, so the organization added Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins.

            However, giving quarterback Alex Smith more weapons is not going to turn him in to something he simply is not -- especially if his head coach is still Jim Harbaugh.