Before last season I would have agreed ... not now, though.
They need him even more now. They have 21 great players + great special teams. They could be a great team with a QB. Why bother having a great team, when they will be held back by a sub-NFL level QB. There aren’t that many good QBs on the market. With Manning, they would have an amazing shot at the Super Bowl.
If the 49ers go into next season with Alex Smith, they seriously risk going back to be a sub .500 team. They can’t expect that the defense, special teams, and running game can overcome a terrible QB that many times ago. Look at the Detroit game last year. Smith was terrible, and the rest of the team had to make up the difference. He had a good game against the Saints, but that doesn’t even make him a mediocre QB. If the 49ers bring Smith back for an 8th season, it’s an unparalleled statement of stupidity and contempt for the fans.