Getting back to full strength an offseason priority
Perhaps the most defining image of the 49ers’ woeful season came Sunday. Ten injured players spread out in a State Farm Stadium suite and watched one final loss unfold, capping the franchise’s 33-day temporary relocation to Arizona.
Fox Sports cameras focused in on that star-studded ensemble, including Jimmy Garoppolo sitting next to Richard Sherman. The scene certainly wasn’t lost on general manager John Lynch nearby.
“Yesterday, three suites over, it looked like an All-Pro team,” Lynch said Monday. “We need those guys on the field, not in a suite watching the game.”
Thus begins the 49ers’ 2021 offseason. Players have been told to healthy up, with Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan hoping their championship-contending core can remain intact amid salary cap cuts.
“We were set to have just about everyone back. Now we have to be more creative to do so,” Lynch said.
Garoppolo’s status is the one seemingly everyone outside the 49ers’ building is pondering. In Monday’s end- of- season video conference, Lynch and Shanahan reaffirmed their commitment to Garoppolo, even though they know it won’t silence skeptics.
“Kyle and I have both spoken, and spoken fairly directly as to the fact we expect Jimmy to be our quarterback,” Lynch said. “That’s consistently met with other stories. That’s not of concern to us.”
While speculation persists whether he’ll return for a fifth season under Shanahan, Garoppolo claimed he hasn’t thought about it much, that he’s solely focused on earning his teammates’ respect, teammates he wants to play with next year on the 49ers.
“I’m a 49er. I’m here to play quarterback. I’m here to be the quarterback of this team,” Garoppolo said. “Every day I go out there trying to prove that to my teammates and my coaches. At the end of the day, that’s what really matters. The people in this building, I love every one of them. It’s a great group to be around.”
Garoppolo is owed $24 million in salary over the final two seasons of what was a record-setting contract in 2018. The 49ers are 22-8 when he’s started and 6-26 without him since 2017,
not including last season’s postseason that ended with a Super Bowl defeat.
Shanahan noted how he was “very happy” with Garoppolo’s play in last season’s run to the Super Bowl, and that the only quarterback decisions left are for the backup roles. C. J. Beathard is one of many unrestricted free agents, and although Nick Mullens (restricted free agent) likely won’t be available by training camp after recent elbow surgery.
Restructuring Garoppolo’s final two years of his contract ($24 million annual salary) is an option the 49ers can turn to for more cap room. Ankle sprains limited him to six starts this season, and he missed the final two months.
“We’ve had good discussions with Jimmy,” Lynch added. “It’s been encouraging to see him back on the field. There’s a lift when he’s out there. It’s one of the qualities he has that I admire. His teammates admire his presence. He has that ‘It’ factor.
“We plan on visiting the next couple days. He’s working really hard. He’s encouraged.”
Garoppolo is one of 30 injured reserve moves the 49ers made since camp. Lynch noted that he’s “resolute” in his belief about the 49ers’ revised strength and conditioning staff from a year ago, but added that all departments must selfscout for ways to improve.
Other pertinent topics broached:
WARNER’S EXTENSION >> Linebacker Fred Warner is eligible for a contract extension, and he’ll enter negotiations not only as a first-year captain and Pro Bowler, but also with the 49ers’ top two team honors, the Len Eshmont and Bill Walsh awards, as voted upon by players and coaches, respectively.
“When you walk by that wall and see the names that have won that in the history of this place, it means a lot,” Lynch said. “Fred’s a special leader, a special player and a big part of the fabric of this team. I see that as an opportunity and we’ll find a way to keep him here.”
Last offseason, the 49ers awarded George Kittle an extension (five years, $75 million) after his third season. This year, the salary cap has been adjusted because of the financial hit form the pandemic, and the 49ers are operating as if it will be $175 million, down from $198 million this year.
Left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk reiterated their desires to re- sign, rather than leave among the team’s top free agents.
SALEH’S ITINERARY >> The Atlanta Falcons, the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars notified the 49ers of their plans to interview defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for head coach openings, Lynch confirmed. The Falcons confirmed a remote interview with Saleh on Monday, and the Lions are scheduled for Thursday.
Shanahan wants Saleh back for a fifth season but is not stressing about replacing him. One candidate is linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans, who Shanahan envisions as not only a coordinator but a head coach someday.
PERSONNEL MEN >> Adam Peters, Lynch’s right-hand man since 2017, has been requested by the Carolina Panthers to interview for their general manager opening. Lynch said the Denver Broncos have yet to make a similar notification. Peters and Martin Mayhew both are titled “vice president of player personnel,” and Lynch expects Mayhew to soon receive a GM interview elsewhere, too.
DEFENSIVE LINE HEALTH >> While Nick Bosa’s recovery from knee reconstruction is going “great” in Orange County, uncertainty looms over fellow defensive end Dee Ford’s back injury that kept him out after the season opener.
“When dealing with a back, these things take more time,” Lynch said. “He’s tried to stay encouraged but it’s been a struggle for him. I can’t tell you with great absolute he’s going to be ready. We’re working hard and he’s working hard to get there.”
Rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, the 49ers’ top draft pick, missed the final two games because of bone bruise to his knee and the swelling finally began subsiding late last week, Lynch said.
IMPACT>> The
COUNTY BAN
49ers say they are not worried about how free agency might be impacted by Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 restrictions that forced the 49ers to relocate the past month. Shanahan noted that the 49ers backed up their “first- class organization” reputation by how they transplanted so many members of the organization, including cooks, to make for a smoother transition and appease players.
“That word spreads and it’s something players talk about in this league,” said Shanahan, before adding in deadpan fashion: “That’s why they can take the risk of getting kicked out of our county again, and hopefully this vaccine works so we don’t have to worry about that.”
Lynch launched into a recruiting pitch about the 49ers’ five Lombardi Trophies and the Bay Area’s beauty, but only after noting: “I’m not going to lie, I’ve had some harsh feelings that have gone through my mind about our county, because they put us in a tough position. They have people they have to answer to as well, so I understand that.” TRANSACTIONS >> The 49ers signed 13 players to reserve/ future contracts, mostly off their practice squad: wide receivers Jauan Jennings, Kevin White and Austin Proehl; cornerbacks Adonis Alexander and Tim Harris Jr.; defensive linemen Josiah Coatney and Daeshon Hall; defensive backs Chris Edwards and Obi Melifonwu; offensive linemen Dekoda Shepley and Isaiah Williams; linebacker Jonas Griffith; and, fullback Josh Hokit.