Work on deal for Garoppolo gets serious now
Lynch and Shanahan want QB to be in S.F. for a ‘long, long time’
SANTA CLARA >> Jimmy Garoppolo’s pending contract talks were a hot-button topic Tuesday as 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan held an endof-season news conference.
Now brace for radio silence until a deal is complete.
“Look, we want Jimmy to be a Niner for a long, long time,” Lynch said. “That process is going to take place here. We’re eager to get that done, to have the opportunity. But one thing we really believe is those things should take place between us and his representatives, and not transpire in public.
“But you have our assurances, and the fans do, that we’d like nothing more to make him a Niner for a long, long time.”
Garoppolo, a pending free agent, went 5-0 as the 49ers’ starting quarterback, arriving in an Oct. 31 trade from the New England Patriots and waiting a month before debuting in the starting role Dec. 3 at Chicago.
Garoppolo, as he packed up Monday with his teammates for the offseason, spoke inclusively about the 49ers’ 2018 prospects. Even though he has been non-committal about a long-term deal in a playing-hardto-get kind of way, that doesn’t concern the 49ers’ brass.
“We’ve had conversations with him and we know where he stands and we’re comfortable with that,” Lynch said.
The 49ers will have between Feb. 20 and March 6 (at 1 p.m.) to designate Garoppolo as their franchise player, thus making July 16 the deadline for a multiyear deal to be struck or he would play on a one-year tender.
Garoppolo’s agent Don Yee also represents Garoppolo’s former Patriots teammate, Tom Brady. Steve Dubin, who works with Yee, declined comment at Sunday’s season finale regarding Garoppolo’s contract status.
“Obviously Jimmy came in and was fabulous,” Lynch said. “He was great for us and made people around him better. That’s the mark of a player who has an opportunity to be special.”
Asked if he has heard from Patriots czar Bill Belichick since the Garoppolo trade, Lynch smiled and said: “We don’t talk about that.” NEXT SEASON’S EXPECTATIONS >> As proud as they are of winning six of seven to finish the season, Lynch and Shanahan know much more work must be done before becoming an instant contender, having inherited a 2-14 team and taking them to 6-10. Shanahan wouldn’t go so far as to confirm how much Garoppolo’s arrival accelerates their prospects.
“It depends on what you guys write in terms of expectations. Hopefully you guys don’t go crazy on us,” Shanahan quipped. “But I get why everyone is excited, especially when you finish the season with five (wins) in a row or six out of the last seven. But that doesn’t help you play better.”
Lynch agreed with left tackle Joe Staley’s premise on Monday, stating: “Had we taken care of business early and were able to sneak into the playoffs, I don’t think many teams would want to face us.”
FINANCIAL PLANS >> With a projected salary-cap surplus of $130 million or more, the 49ers have money to spend. But not to burn foolishly, as Shanahan and Lynch noted. “Kyle and I both believe in being aggressive but you just don’t do things just because you have all this money,” Lynch said.
Lynch cited the “pretty intense” volume of free agents they signed last offseason, and Shanahan said that was indicative of their nature to “always be aggressive.”
“Maybe not a lot of high (profile) guys that seemed like it, but we went and got all the guys we targeted from the beginning and I didn’t feel we lost on anybody,” Shanahan said. “We’ll go into this year the same way.”
DRAFT PREVIEW >> Lynch also pointed out the 49ers have at least nine draft picks, with one in every round and starting at No. 9 or 10 overall depending on a coin flip with the Raiders (also 6-10) at next month’s scouting combine.
Asked what he will call in that coin flip, Lynch quipped: “I’m going to practice all offseason. I’m talking to our analytics guys. I’m hearing it’s 50/50.”
OTHER FREE AGENTS >> Running back Carlos Hyde, center Daniel Kilgore and safety Eric Reid are among the 18 other free agents beside Garoppolo. Lynch said the 49ers would like to re-sign them within “the right parameters” and communication will take place up to and during free agency.
Asked if it’s fair to say the 49ers’ top needs are a No. 1 wide receiver, pass rusher and cornerback, Shanahan replied: “We’ll try to get better at all those spots. I’ll take any of that.”
STAFF STATUS QUO >> Shanahan, the 49ers’ fourth coach in four years, will bring stability not only to that role but to the coaching staff. “I don’t imagine any changes,” said Shanahan, noting some assistants have interest from the college ranks.
Robert Saleh will be the 49ers’ first defensive coordinator to return since Vic Fangio (2011-14). “Going through the year with him, he was everything I hoped for,” Shanahan said. “He put in a very good scheme, adjusted it throughout the year to try to fit the players.” REUBEN’S INJURIES >> The 49ers plan to help strengthen linebacker Reuben Foster’s body once he gets needed rest after an injury-laden rookie season, although his surgically repaired rotator cuff wasn’t among his in-season issues. Nerve stingers to his shoulder and neck impacted his final three games, and Lynch expects the offseason to “quiet” that injury.
“He plays a very physical brand of football, so he has to be better than a lot of people in how he takes care of his body,” Lynch said. “We have ways we can help him. But what we do know with Reuben is when he is healthy, he’s a special football player, and he’s a special personality that kind of lifts everybody.”