49ERS Offseason: QB quandary, dozens of free agents
SF finished 6-10 and may lose DC Robert Saleh
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead aptly summed up the 49ers’ 2020 season and 2021 plans after Sunday’s finale, a 26-23 loss to Seattle.
“It didn’t go the way we wanted it to go but it’s been a long trying year. Seems like the longest year ever,” Armstead said.
“There’s some relief to get back next year to normalcy, getting fans back to the stadium and having normalcy back in our league and around the world, too. That would be good for society.”
The 49ers (6-10) weren’t good on a number of fronts in their NFC title defense, most notably in terms of health, which seemed doomed from the jump with injuries to George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Jimmy Garoppolo, Raheem Mostert and more in only the first two games.
By Sunday’s finale, the 49ers were missing half of their would-be starters, most of whom watched together from a suite inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the 49ers relocated to the past month because of Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 regulations.
What ever yone w itnessed in Week 17 should have looked relatively familiar: the 49ers blew a fourth- quarter lead, just as they did in their season opener against Arizona, and just as they more infamously did in last season’s Super Bowl.
The Seahawks (12- 4) entered Sunday already with their fifth NFC West title in 11 years under coach Pete Carroll, and they remained the upcoming playoffs’ No. 3 seed after finishing off the
49ers’ NFC reign.
“I’m very happy the season’s over,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Once we were eliminated from the playoffs, we were ready to move on a little bit and get on to next year.
“But we had to finish it. I was real proud of the guys today. They competed their ( butts) off in all aspects. … I’m excited this year’s over. Now it’s time to figure out how to improve us.”
On that note, here are ways this finale influences their 2021 outlook, aside from securing the No. 12 overall draft slot:
1. INJURY TOLL >> Most important, arguably their top two players, tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner, made it out healthy. Kittle, in his second game back after a Nov. 1 foot fracture, even made the 49ers’ catch of the day with a onehanded, 41-yard gem among
his team-high seven catches for 68 yards.
Shanahan had only one injury to report afterward, a minor knee issue that knocked out defensive end Dion Jordan before halftime.
Over 30 players weren’t available for the finale, including 17 on Injured Reserve, four on COVID-19 Reserve and the seven they inactivated pregame (wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, cornerbacks Richard Sherman and K’waun Williams, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens).
The 49ers made 30 IR moves since camp, and combined with the 24 times they put players on COVID-19 Reserve, a healthier 2021 is a must. “We’ve got a lot of good players but we’ve got to figure out how
to handle the wear and tear of an entire season,” Shanahan added.
That health goal wasn’t lost on r unning back Jeff Wilson, who battled through an ankle injury this season to lead the 49ers in rushing yards (600) and touchdowns (10).
“A lot of people say we (running backs) get nicked easily,” Wilson said. “So if we stay on top of our bodies, we can come back and take it the duration next season.”
2. SALEH FAREWELL >> Shanahan confirmed that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is expected to interview Monday to become the Atlanta Falcons’ coach, the first of potentially many suitors. Fox Sports’ reported that Saleh, a Detroit-area native, also is among the Lions’ coaching candidates.
“I was very happy with what he did throughout the
whole year,” Shanahan said. “I’ll be very surprised if we don’t lose him. I don’t know what’s wrong with people if they don’t hire him. He’s as good as you can get.
Even if Saleh leaves after four seasons at his post, Shanahan acknowledged that capable replacements could already be on staff or on the upcoming market, adding: “I know the Niners will be alright.”
3. QUARTERBACK QUESTION >> Garoppolo spent the final two months watching from afar because of season-long ankle woes, and now come months of watching to see if Shanahan lives up to last Monday’s vow that Garoppolo will be next year’s quarterback.
ESPN’S Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that “most league insiders” believe the 49ers will move on if “a better option” becomes available. Shanahan has never disputed that possibility, adding last Monday: “You look into every avenue and you see if there’s something out there that can get you a ton better.”
“I believe our team needs him. I believe our team is clearly different without him,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “The person that Jimmy is, the competitor he is and the talent he has, when he’s on, the results speak for themselves.”
Garoppolo’s ankle sprains kept him from finishing half of his six starts. Neither Nick Mulens (2- 6) nor C. J. Beathard (1-1) excelled in his place, as was the case in 2018 after Garoppolo’s ACL tear. Beathard started slow Sunday, got hot, then a strip-sack fumble sealed the 49ers’ fate.
4. FINAL AUDITIONS >> It may have been fitting to see Richard Sherman sitting in a suite with other injured stars, but his presence on the field since 2018 meant a lot to this defense. Supposing Sherman does not return, the 49ers’ younger cornerbacks used this season and especially the past few games to mostly improve their value for upcoming free agency.
Jason Verrett and Ahkello Witherspoon were enjoying a third straight game of dominance, up until Tyler Lockett slipped pa st Witherspoon and caught Seattle’s go- ahead touchdown with 2:20 remaining. Verrett’s durability was ultra-impressive this comeback season, and his feisty streak should be welcomed back.
Neither Sherman (calf) nor slot cornerback K’waun Williams (shin) played in the finale, but they’ve proven themselves ahead of free agency.
Perhaps their top free agent is left tackle Trent Williams, who also sat out injured (elbow) but made his eight Pro Bowl upon arriving this year to replace Joe Staley.