Football player Alex Smith will reportedly ask for his release from the San Francisco 49ers before the start of free agency, a source with knowledge of the situation told Pro Football Talks in a report written by Mike Florio.  

Florio said it is "widely believed" that the 49ers will trade Smith but that the quarterback prefers to take action himself and ask to leave the team. If Smith does so, he will lose the $8.5 million he would earn in 2013 if his contract is traded - $1 million guaranteed immediately and the balance guaranteed as of April 1. 

Many reports are speculating why Smith might choose to leave a team so close to the Super Bowl, and The Los Angeles Times said as "just a hunch," that it might have to do with the player's lack of play this season. 

"The former starting quarterback was benched midseason despite taking the 49ers to the brink of the Super Bowl last year and had completed 70 percent of his passes in leading the team to a 6-2-1 record this season," the news report noted. "Oh yeah, that. Well, perhaps Smith has reason to be a bit peeved."

The Times also noted that Smith's "replacement" at quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, performed extremely well in the playing season, helping the 49ers reach Super Bowl honor.

Smith has been part of the 49ers since he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft.

The Score reported that "while it's highly likely that Smith isn't a 49er next year," two quarterbacks in 2013 will mean that Smith is likely to remain Kaepernick's backup. 

Super Bowl XLVII will be on Feb. 3., beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. The 49ers will play against the Baltimore Ravens.

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