Report: Aldon Smith reports to training camp

With the Seattle Seahawks reporting for training camp on Tuesday, reports are beginning to trickle in as to the status and attendance of some of the bigger question marks on the team roster. One noteworthy player who apparently is attending camp is pass rusher Aldon Smith, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.

The future remains up in the air for the soon to be 32-year-old pass rusher who is now ten seasons removed from 2011, when the San Francisco 49ers selected the Big 12 standout from Mizzou with the 7th overall pick — a decision which was considered by many at the time to be a “reach.” Smith went on to record 33 ¹⁄₂ sacks in his first two seasons in the Bay Area, quickly becoming one of the most feared pass rushers in the league before a series of legal and personal issues derailed his career. After receiving an indefinite suspension from the league, he successfully applied for reinstatement and spent 2020 in Dallas. As a Cowboy, he recorded five sacks while playing in and starting all 16 games for only the second time in his career. His arraignment for his most recent arrest was originally scheduled for July 14th, but has been moved to late August, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

On a positive note, Aldon Smith is reportedly showing up in great shape. This is significant, as Pete Carroll originally indicated that the reason Smith did not participate in Mandatory Minicamp in June was due to physical reasons at the time, saying “I didn’t feel like he was ready for this yet.” If word from the VMAC is to be believed, he is looking ready to go this time around. The league has yet to release a decision on any disciplinary action that Smith may face as a result of his off field incidents.