San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has restructured his contract with the franchise after his salary had been set to become fully guaranteed.

Smith has converted the guarantee into monthly roster bonuses beginning in April, and believes that he can earn his salary as he goes along.

"It wasn't like they said, 'If you don't do this, you're cut,'" Smith's agent Doug Hendrickson told CSN Bay Area.

"The thought behind it is that Aldon realizes he's been his own worst enemy. He has come a long way since he was suspended. Ultimately his goal, my goal, and the team's goal is for him to sign a long-term contract with the Niners."

Smith was suspended for the first nine games of last season for violating the NFL's policy on personal conduct and substances of abuse, and is set to become a free agent after the 2015 season.