Sunday night, Pro Football Talk reported the 49ers were listening to offers for left tackle Joe Staley.
One day later, the same outlet is reporting GM Trent Baalke is also shopping wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Smith’s two years in San Francisco have been disastrous, but much of it isn’t the 27-year-old’s fault. The 49ers have had quarterback issues and signed Smith without flanking him with other talented receivers. He was setup to fail.
On the 2016 season, Smith has just 13 catches for 199 yards. In 2015, he posted 33 catches for 663 yards and four touchdowns. The former Raven signed a 5-year, $40 million deal two offseasons ago.
Unlike the 49ers, the Eagles (4-2) are fighting for a playoff spot with rookie QB Carson Wentz. Jordan Matthews, Chip Kelly first-round pick Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham are Philadelphia’s three leading receivers so far in 2016.
While I was against the Staley trade because it clouds an offensive line primed to protect a rookie quarterback, trading Smith makes much more sense.
Also, all of these trade rumors make it clear Baalke is scrambling for his future. He has to attempt to fix the mess he’s created on the roster by trying to obtain draft picks.