Former 49er Aldon Smith Signs with the Raiders

12 Sep, 2015

Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio didn’t delve too deeply into the team’s surprise decision to sign talented but troubled linebacker Aldon Smith on Friday.

But Del Rio made it clear the Raiders are comfortable with the risk.

“We’re very thorough in what we do and how we do it, so we feel very confident about the addition and about our football team going forward,” Del Rio said.

A source told ESPN’s Field Yates that Smith’s one-year deal contains a $1.25 million base salary. He can earn a $250,000 per-game roster bonus and another $2.75 million if he has at least 10 sacks. Including all of the incentives, Smith can earn up to $8 million.

The pass rush-needy Raiders signed the former San Francisco 49ers’ star linebacker on the same day he was charged with three misdemeanors.

According to the Santa Clara district attorney’s office, Smith was charged with: DUI with a prior conviction and refusal to submit a chemical test, hit-and-run with property damage and vandalism with damage under $400. He is set to be arraigned Oct. 6. The maximum penalty is two years and six months in county jail if he is convicted of all three charges.

The 49ers released Smith on Aug. 7 after he was arrested the night before on hit-and-run, DUI and vandalism charges. It was his fifth arrest since 2012.

Smith could be subject to severe NFL discipline in the future, pending the judicial outcome of that incident. The expectation around the NFL is that Smith will be suspended again at some point this season, but he is eligible to play until a suspension is announced.

Smith, 25, also spent a month in treatment during the 2013 season. He was suspended for nine games last season.

ESPN

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