Former Missouri defensive standout Aldon Smith has run into plenty of trouble during his five-year career in the NFL.
The good news for Smith is that he has a team that supports him, and that’s the Oakland Raiders.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the free agent and the Raiders are working out a contract that will keep the outside linebacker with the franchise. In August 2015, Smith was released by the San Francisco 49ers after an incident where he was charged with hit and run, DUI and vandalism.
The Raiders signed him to a one-year deal the following month in September, but Smith was handed a one-year suspension in November that means he won’t be eligible until a little more than halfway through the 2016 season.
Raiders and Aldon Smith have agreement in place, source told ESPN. Smith was spotted at team building today, trying to finalize deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2016
Smith had a stellar freshman campaign at Missouri where he racked up 11.5 sacks (4th in the Big 12) and 19 tackles for loss (3rd in the Big 12).
He made a quick impact with the 49ers, who drafted him 7th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, totaling 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons. In 2012, his 19.5 sacks were 2nd in the league and earned him First-Team All-Pro honors.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
