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Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio received a significant amount of flak from the Niners Faithful regarding some weekend speculation on his part that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan might still be interested in quarterback Kirk Cousins.
But the 49ers have a franchise quarterback, right? His name is Jimmy Garoppolo.
Florio wrote as part of a piece about the Minnesota Vikings' potentially troubling salary cap situation, that the team might want to offload Cousins and his contract after this season and that Shanahan might be interested. Of course, this is all contingent on both Cousins and Garoppolo having disappointing 2019 outings.
The 49ers have an out on Garoppolo's contract after this season and would only have to absorb $4.2 million of dead salary cap money should they decide to part ways with their quarterback after this year.
On Monday, Florio didn't back down on the potential of a Cousins-to-49ers scenario and pulled in fellow NBC Sports analyst, and close friend of Shanahan's, Chris Simms, who did nothing to shoot down the theory. Instead, he did the opposite.
Florio asks Simms, "Kyle Shanahan, if he can find a way to swap out Garoppolo for Cousins after this season, if the Vikings want to move on, if Shanahan wants to move on from Garoppolo, and he finally gets to bring this all together and thread that needle, you know him, is that something he would rule out? Is it something that he would rule in?"
"I don't think it's crazy, Mike," Simms responded. "I don't think this thought or this theory — I don't think it's crazy."
Shanahan admits that the grand plan when he arrived in San Francisco was to eventually land Cousins. The team figured to do so last offseason, but the plan changed about four-and-a-half months before free agency kicked off. The New England Patriots offered up Garoppolo at the trade deadline, and Shanahan and general manager John Lynch jumped at the opportunity.
The rest you know. Five starts, five wins, and a five-year deal worth up to $137.5 million.
Is Pro Football Talk trying to reignite the Cousins-to-49ers speculation over a year-and-a-half after the initial rumors were seemingly put to bed?
Simms took things a step further and also speculated that the Los Angeles Rams might be interested in Cousins if quarterback Jared Goff demands too much money in his next contract. Although, Rams general manager Les Snead has stated he believes a long-term deal with his quarterback will get done "at some point."
"Could I see [the 49ers] going after a Kirk Cousins?" Simms continued. "Certainly, Mike. I really could. I could see it happening."
Simms, who also knows Sean McVay, believes the two NFC West coaches hold Cousins in high regard, especially within their offenses, and both worked with the quarterback in Washington.
Simms then took the conversation a step further.
"Hey, Kirk Cousins is more talented than Jimmy Garoppolo and Jared Goff," he added. "He's just a better quarterback for my money. Garoppolo, I know we haven't seen a ton of it, he shows glimmers here and there. But I think over the last few years, I'm very comfortable in saying I would rather have Kirk Cousins than Jared Goff or Jimmy Garoppolo."
Former NFL exec on 49ers' Brock Purdy: "I think he needs to find more fire"
By David Bonilla
Apr 14
Brock Purdy isn't one to seek the spotlight. He exudes politeness, respect, and an even-keeled demeanor when speaking to reporters during interviews. Nothing we've seen from the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's time off the field would indicate that it's a facade.
However, on the field, Purdy can show some fire, particularly after a big play or in an effort to ensure his teammates are on the same page as him. While praising the third-year quarterback, one unnamed former NFL executive expressed a desire to see more of that fire from Purdy in the future, believing it is crucial to his development.
"Brock Purdy is one of the most talented arms that I've seen," the former executive recently
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
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The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
