Based on talent alone, Aldon Smith may be the best available free agent in the NFL right now. But there’s been no word on any team showing any interest in signing him.
The reason, of course, is that Smith’s long history of off-field problems has resulted in a year-long suspension that Smith is currently serving. He won’t be eligible for reinstatement until November.
The NFL confirmed to ESPN that Smith is free to sign right now, if anyone wants him. It’s unclear whether any team does want him. He wouldn’t be able to play until, at the earliest, Week 11.
It wasn’t long ago that Smith was considered perhaps the best young pass rusher in the NFL. In his rookie season in 2011 he had 14 sacks, and in his second season he had 19.5 sacks. But his off-field problems appear to have affected him on the field as well, as he had just 3.5 sacks in nine games for the Raiders last year, and just two sacks in seven games for the 49ers in 2014.
Smith is the No. 80 player in our Free Agent Hot 100.
