Garoppolo and Staley set to return; Reid uncertain
Safety who protested anthem could find suitors if team doesn’t retain him
SANTA CLARA >> Year 2 of the 49ers reconstruction under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch is rapidly approaching, and myriad free agents will be considered other than just quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo, however, appears the only lock to return among their 19 players scheduled for unrestricted free agency.
One player the 49ers won’t need to replace next season is left tackle Joe Staley, who will return for a 12th season and be Garoppolo’s blindside protector. “I’m definitely coming back next year,” Staley said. “This is not my last week of the NFL.”
Safety Eric Reid, however, has spent all season pondering his uncertain fate, which could be complicated by his national anthem protests since last season.
Reid said he’s “more worried about today than tomorrow” and will deal with free agency when it arrives in March 14; the franchise tag can be applied Feb. 20 through March 6 on Garoppolo or any other free agent.
Reid’s loved moving to strong safety, and, if the 49ers don’t retain him as insurance to their surplus of injury-prone safeties, he could find suitors with similar schemes, such as in Seattle, Jacksonville or Atlanta. Or he could become a Kaepernick-esque outcast.
“I would say that I understand that that’s a possibility, and I’m completely fine with that,” Reid said. “The things that I’ve done, I stand by and I’ve done that for my own personal beliefs.
“There are probably teams that won’t want to talk to me because of it,” Reid added. “I’m hopeful that I will be on a team next year, but if not, that’s OK with me.”
Here is a primer on the 49ers’ free agents
JIMMY GAROPPOLO (QUARTERBACK) >> On the verge of going 5-0 as the starter and the only question is whether the 49ers are willing to pay for a longterm deal or settle on a franchise tag. 2018 status: Likely.
CARLOS HYDE (RUNNING BACK) >> He needs 150 yards in possibly his 49ers finale to reach 1,000 yards for first time in his four-year career. He has one 100-yard game this year, in Week 2 (124 at Seattle). But he also has team-high 57 receptions for 340 yards. 2018 status: Questionable.
ERIC REID (STRONG SAFETY) >> He indeed looks stellar as a strong safety in this scheme, and he’s been a vocal leader. GM John Lynch, a former safety, seems to have an affinity for Reid, the 49ers’ top pick in 2013, and perhaps that helps lure Reid back on a team-friendly deal. 2018 status: Questionable.
BROCK COYLE (LINEBACKER) >> His aptitude for this scheme is unmatched and he settled down the run defense in the wake of NaVorro Bowman’s exit, albeit a rough starting debut at Washington. 2018 status: Questionable.
DANIEL KILGORE (CENTER) >> Held off camp challengers en route to starting every game, with improving results. Nose tackle Earl Mitchell raved how Kilgore is smart and savvy, and linemen trust him to audible calls. Helping his case: continuity’s sake with Garoppolo. 2018 status: Questionable. CASSIUS MARSH (DEFENSIVE END) >> Claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Nov. 22, he made a key sack at Chicago but has been quiet since then. He’s a serviceable, substitute pass rusher. 2018 status: Questionable. TANK CARRADINE (DEFENSIVE END) >> Spent seven games on injured reserve but otherwise emerged this season as a run-down specialist, which was not as envisioned upon his 2013 secondround draft selection. 2018 status: Questionable.
AARON LYNCH (DEFENSIVE END) >> His stock fell more this season: inactivated eight games, missed six with a calf injury, lone sack came in his season debut, had a fumble recovery at Houston. His 12½ sacks in 2014-15 will entice others to try reviving his career. 2018 status: Doubtful. DONTAE JOHNSON (CORNERBACK) >> Of his team-high 12 penalties, six have come in the past three games. He returned his first interception in 56 games for a touchdown, only to get briefly benched out of halftime last Sunday. 2018 status: Doubtful. BRANDON FUSCO (RIGHT GUARD) >> Held down the starting spot since arriving under the radar through free agency. Has had more downs than ups, though not as bad as critics say. 2018 status: Doubtful. LEGER DOUZABLE (DEFENSIVE END) >> Looked like a nice October addition when he had two sacks in Philly, but he’s been inactive four of the past five games. 2018 status: Doubtful. GARRY GILLIAM (RIGHT TACKLE) >> Trent Brown’s backup appeared in only eight games and started one, going on injured reserve with an Oct. 29 knee injury. 2018 status: Doubtful. LOUIS MURPHY (WIDE RECEIVER) >> He’s locked in franchise lore for catching Jimmy Garoppolo’s first touchdown pass as a 49er to end a Nov. 26 loss to Seattle. Since then: three catches in four games. 2018 status: Doubtful. LEON HALL (CORNERBACK) >> Midseason acquisition has seen sparse action as a reserve, but the 11th-year veteran had a season-high five tackles last game. 2018 status: Doubtful. LOGAN PAULSEN (TIGHT END) >> The eighth-year veteran has been a blocking specialist, with no receptions on two targets. 2018 status: Doubtful. TIM BARNES (CENTER) >> Cut after camp, re-signed at midseason, hasn’t been active for a game yet. 2018 status: Doubtful. ANTONE EXUM (SAFETY) >> Midseason injury replacement has been inactive since starting the Nov. 26 loss to Seattle. 2018 status: Doubtful. ASA JACKSON (CORNERBACK) >> Mostly helped the special teams for four games before going on injured reserve (hamstring). 2018 status: Doubtful. CHRIS JONES (DEFENSIVE TACKLE) >> Spent all season on injured reserve (core). 2018 status: Doubtful.
• No 49ers were listed as questionable or doubtful or out for Sunday. Rams linebacker Mark Barron is doubtful, wide receiver Cooper Kupp is questionable.
• Garoppolo won his second straight “Clutch” Performer of the Week award through NFL online voting.
• Offensive line coach John Benton played guitar to AC/DC’s “Back in Black” was players stretched for practice. He drew a standing/stretching/ jogging ovation.