NFL FREE AGENCY OPENS
49ers add seven free agents
SANTA CLARA — A year after spending most of free agency on the sideline, the San Francisco 49ers had a busy start to the new league year as coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch begin a massive rebuilding process.
The 49ers announced they agreed to contracts with seven free agents on Thursday: quarterback Brian Hoyer (two years), receiver Pierre Garcon (five years), linebacker Malcolm Smith (five years), Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk (four years), kicker Robbie Gould (two years), receiver Marquise
Goodwin (two years) and blocking tight end Logan Paulsen (one year).
San Francisco wasn’t done there. Later in the night, quarterback Matt Barkley tweeted that he also had reached a deal with San Francisco and a person familiar with the contract said receiver Aldrick Robinson also agreed to a two-year deal that could be worth up to $6 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been announced. The deal was first reported by NFL Media.
San Francisco is coming off a 2-14 season that matched the worst record in franchise history and cost coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke their jobs.
Despite a depleted roster last season, the Niners only signed guard Zane Beadles and backup quarterback Thad Lewis in free agency in Baalke’s final season running the team.
It has been a far different strategy so far this year as the 49ers have started filling the approximately $100 million in salary cap room, highlighted by a quarterback and receiver who both have experience playing with Shanahan.
Roundup: Osweiler deal a stunner, Cutler’s release no surprise
Everyone expected a free agency flurry when the NFL’s year began on Thursday. Predicting what happened with Brock Osweiler was beyond anyone’s projections.
One year after signing a four-year deal with Houston, then losing the starting job to Tom Savage late in the season before returning and winning a playoff game, Osweiler is headed to Cleveland . The Texans basically took whatever deal they could get to rid themselves of a $16 million payout to the quarterback in 2017. The Browns and Texans are also swapping fourth- and sixth-round picks in 2017, and Cleveland gets a 2018 second-rounder.
Far more predictable was Chicago releasing Jay Cutler, who had no guaranteed money left on his contract. Cutler led the Bears to the 2010 NFC championship game, but otherwise struggled in Chicago.
“His ability, toughness, and intelligence were on daily display at Halas Hall and Soldier Field. He had an extraordinary impact off the field, doing things for people, especially kids, without expecting or wanting any recognition,” Chairman George McCaskey said. “I was and am a big fan of his.”