Nov 13, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) rushes for a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Glenn Dorsey (72) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers desperately needed an upgrade along the defensive line, and with DE Ricky Jean-Francois testing free-agency, the Niners needed to find a replacement and quick, enter NT Glenn Dorsey. The 49ers have agreed in principle with Dorsey, however terms of the deal are yet to be announced. If you do not know who Dorsey is it’s probably because he does not have the eye-popping stats. But make no mistake, Dorsey is an ideal 3-4 nose tackle that can push the pocket while stuffing the run.

Dorsey was unexpectedly able to test the free-agent market just hours before the free-agency period began, and the 49ers looking for a 3-4 nose tackles wasted no time in getting their man. In Dorsey’s five-year career, he has registered 238 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Not great numbers as his sole job is to command double teams, and eat up as many blockers as possible. To put those numbers in perspective, departed Sopoaga has accumulated 217 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his seven-year career up to this point.

Dorsey was a rumored to be high on the Kansas City Chiefs priority list, but apparently that fell through, once Dorsey made the trip to Santa Clara. Unfortunately, the Chiefs fell victim to the salary cap, as they recently agreed to terms with WR Dwayne Bowe while trading for QB Alex Smith. The decision to let Dorsey test the waters, rather than sign him to a big money contract, was a decision that had to be made.

The signing of Dorsey all but signals the end of Jean-Francois as he will likely take his talents to Philadelphia.

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) and head coach Jim Harbaugh against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After much anticipation the wait is finally over for QB Alex Smith, as he is now an official member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The news comes as no surprise, as the San Francisco 49ers have been diligently trying to find trade partners for the former number one overall pick. Smith lost his starting job midway through the 2012 season due to being concussed in a game against the St. Louis Rams, backup QB Colin Kaepernick took over the starting role and never relinquished it, leading the team to their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1994 season.

The trade benefited both sides as the 49ers received a second-round pick (33rd overall) as compensation for Smith’s services, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It is no coincidence the trade was made after the NFL’s scouting combine, as the Kansas City Chiefs wanted to get a better feel of QB Geno Smith (West Virginia) and Matt Barkley (USC) before eventually pulling the trigger on the nine-year veteran.

The move is bittersweet for 49ers fans, as Smith has ironically become a fan favorite. Smith was loved in the locker room and will surely be missed. He handled the demotion with an unfound level of professionalism, while showing his true character as not only a player but as a person. The trade brings closure to any quarterback controversy moving forward, as the 49ers have clearly put all their faith in Kaepernick.

Now with the quarterback controversy behind them, the 49ers can now turn their focus on the NFL Draft as they now have three picks in the first two rounds, including the (31st), (34th), and (63rd) selection.

Fun fact: Alex Smith becomes the 5th Niners quarterback to start for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last 25 years. The others were QB Joe Montana, QB Steve DeBerg, QB Steve Bono, and QB Elvis Grbac.