The San Francisco 49ers were just two days removed from the end of the 2018 regular season and rumors were already flying around about the team being linked to two veteran wide receivers — Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Odell Beckham Jr. of the NewYork Giants.
While both are under contract with their respective teams, expect to continue hearing these names (and probably a few more down the road) linked to the 49ers, who are in dire need of a true No. 1 receiver. Of course, nothing can happen as far as a trade until the start of the new league year on March 13 and nothing may even happen, assuming a move is made, until June.
It appears 3 of the past 4 people @AB84 has followed on Twitter have been 49ers players. (And one Browns player.)
Take that for what it's worth, you Twitterhounds ... pic.twitter.com/95ZpsvjsDs
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) January 2, 2019
Still, it creates some fun offseason discussion. That's exactly what happened when Jerry Rice joined 95.7 The Game on Wednesday, as he does each week, to discuss the possibility of adding a player like Brown, who Rice says he has spoken with several times.
"There's a lot going on with the Pittsburgh Steelers right now," Rice said on the "Joe, Lo, and Dibs" show. "Maybe it has to do with [Ben Roethlisberge], (head coach) Mike Tomlin, but right now, there's something that's going on in that locker room.
"Antonio Brown is an exceptional receiver. We saw what Khalil Mack, what he did for the Chicago Bears. You've got George Kittle already. You bring in a player like Antonio Brown or [Odell Beckham Jr.] and it can take that offense to a whole different level.
"I know for one thing with Antonio Brown, he's the complete player. He's going to bring everything to the football field. He's a team player, and he's going to go out, and he's going to work his butt off. Right now, there is something happening in Pittsburgh, but I think he would be a great addition to the San Francisco 49ers."
Rice believes a No. 1 receiver, not an edge rusher, is the team's biggest need heading into the offseason.
"With George Kittle and what he's doing on the football field, if you have someone on that opposite side that's a threat too, it can open up that offense for [Jimmy Garoppolo] and also that running game," Rice said.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below.