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The new NFL league year begins on March 16. That's when teams must account for their 51 highest-paid players and be compliant with the new salary cap. Most assume the San Francisco 49ers will part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo, freeing up about $25 million in cap space and allowing the team to not only retain some of its own players but possibly add some talent in the coming weeks.
One complication has developed this week. Garoppolo will
undergo shoulder surgery that will sideline him for 16 weeks. That means any interested team knows they won't see him throw until late June or early July, which may be a deterrent.
Is that a concern for the 49ers?
"I think that's for other teams," general manager John Lynch told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on the
49ers Talk podcast this week, "but I think there's obviously avenues open if we give permission. They can talk to the doctors. So, I think it might cause a little more due diligence.
"But you're right. A new league year, wanting to set your team, and obviously [quarterback is] a critical spot. It usually forces action this time of year, and the Combine is set up just perfectly because we're all here together. Those meetings take place, and like I said, we will listen."
On Tuesday, Lynch indicated that the
49ers aren't closing the door on Garoppolo remaining with the team in 2022. That would mean, once again, carrying both Garoppolo and Lance. However, if the Niners retain Garoppolo, there would likely be a quarterback competition to determine the starter.
"Also, know that we've got a really good quarterback in Jimmy," Lynch continued. "If we have the two of them again, and let them go compete, then we're happy to do that as well. And we're capable of doing that with our cap."
That last comment is interesting because everyone assumes the 49ers need to free up Garoppolo's salary. Replacing him with last year's No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance, allows the 49ers more room for financial maneuvering. It allows them to hold onto some key impending free agents like Laken Tomlinson, D.J. Jones, and K'Waun Williams. It will also offer some flexibility in bringing in outside help to shore up certain positions.
"There are certainly tradeoffs," Lynch admitted, "but we budgeted for a lot of different things with plan A, plan B, plan C, and one of those scenarios—a couple of different of those scenarios—has included Jimmy. And so yes, we can do it. It will curtail what we are able to do, the aggressiveness we have in free agency.
"The bottom line is, whatever that combination is, we want to be a better football team, or give ourselves an opportunity to be a better football team, going into next year."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below. It begins at about the 15:45 mark.
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch and Offensive Line coach Chris Foerster were in Seattle on Saturday scouting prospects of the Washington Huskies. While Washington has multiple talented draft prospects, the fact that Foerster was accompanying Lynch is notable considering Washington has two offensive linemen who are getting a lot of attention—Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten.
Per source, John Lynch, Chris Foerster looked at several Washington draft prospects today. Huskies are loaded with draft talent, including …WR: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillanOL: Troy Fautanu, Roger RosengartenEDGE:
Analyst Steve Palazzolo unveiled a first-round mock draft for Pro Football Focus, attempting to forecast the selections for each NFL team within the top 32 picks. While the San Francisco 49ers concentrated on strengthening the defensive line in free agency, Palazzolo envisions the team continuing to fortify that side of the ball.
In his mock draft, Palazzolo predicts that the 49ers will select former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"Tampa's unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick," reads the analysis from Pro Football Focus' big board. "If he can clean up his footwork, he can
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, the San Francisco 49ers hosted their annual local pro day at Levi's Stadium. The event showcased 44 players, including four veterans, all vying to impress coaches and team decision-makers and earn a roster spot. The 49ers have 10 selections in the upcoming draft.
NFL local pro days provide draft prospects with ties to the local area an opportunity to showcase their talents to team personnel. These prospects typically hail from nearby colleges or have other connections to the region where the team is based.
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