Newly acquired Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Aldon Smith (99) leaves the field following his team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengal, at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. The Bengals won, 33-13. (D. Ross Cameron/Bay Area News Group) ( D. ROSS CAMERON )

As Aldon Smith serves his year-long NFL suspension, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio remains perturbed by the league rules that prohibit him from having contact with the oft-troubled 26-year-old.

"It's unfortunate that that is the case," Del Rio told reporters Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., "because I think a lot of times these young men could use some of that mentoring role from coaches. It's not always about football, sometimes we're just helping men be good men. I think having that support system could be beneficial."

Smith was suspended Nov. 17 for an entire calendar year following a DUI arrest on Aug. 6, the fifth time he'd been arrested or charged with a crime since 2012. He can apply for reinstatement 60 days prior to the end of the ban, but is also an unrestricted free agent open to signing with any team right now.

Smith and the Raiders both have expressed a desire for him to stay in Oakland. While the team can have contact with his agent, Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie have both said that Smith has certain obligations to fulfill before they officially bring him back on board.

"He's got work to do on his personal life," Del Rio said. "It might make sense at some point, just as long as he's taking care of the things he needs to take care of, that he can return."

Smith played in nine games -- even seeing action in the season opener two days after signing -- and had 3 ½ sacks for the Raiders last year before being suspended. Smith spoke with the media only two times during his two-plus months with the team, but fit in well in the locker room with his teammates and Del Rio was left with a good impression.


"I think in his heart, he's a good young man," Del Rio said. "I feel like all of us, we can all work to be better. In my time around him, I enjoyed being around him."