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Full disclosure: I had nearly completed this article before the latest Deebo Samuel development. It has been updated to include recent events.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Samuel had already requested a trade. The wide receiver no longer wished to play for the 49ers. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Samuel is frustrated with how the coaching staff utilized him in 2021, which played a part in the rift.
A couple of weeks ago, Samuel scrubbed his Instagram account of everything 49ers-related. At first, that was viewed as a non-issue. Most saw it as a contract extension negotiating tactic. Samuel's camp watched as the wide receiver stock soared. Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams reset the market following trades. Samuel earning his own payday didn't sound unreasonable.
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently reported that the 49ers want to pay Samuel. However, it is Samuel's camp that has shut them out.
Unfortunately, this madness has overshadowed several other 49ers offseason storylines. Let's look at the headline topics that might be of more interest if not for the mess surrounding Samuel. These are listed in no particular order.
Inability to trade Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo is still on the 49ers roster. That storyline has died down. That's not all Samuel's fault, though. San Francisco wants to trade their veteran quarterback, who is set to earn over $25 million in 2022, but can't. Shoulder surgery in March has him unable to throw until closer to training camp. That killed any potential demand he might have garnered.
At this point, even if healthy, the demand for Garoppolo might be close to non-existent. Most of the quarterback-needy teams have already found replacement starters. Moreover, next week's draft may eliminate the remaining quarterback-needy teams despite being a weaker incoming rookie quarterback class.
What happens if Garoppolo is still on the 49ers roster come training camp and the team can't find a trade partner? He'll be expected to compete.
Alex Mack's future
In March, general manager John Lynch expressed optimism that center Alex Mack would return for his 14th NFL season.
"He's training like he's coming back," Lynch said. "I won't speak for him, but all signs are him coming back and being a part of us."
Shanahan added, "He thinks everything out, and he's got to go at his own pace. So he won't confirm anything for us. But I feel pretty good about it. I'd be surprised if he's not back."
On Tuesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Lynch and Shanahan might want to reconsider their confidence level.
That could have a considerable impact on the 49ers, who lost guard Laken Tomlinson in free agency. The team might have to scramble to acquire a replacement. Maybe former Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers center JC Tretter is an option. Maybe the 49ers will need to use one of their nine draft picks on a center.
Mike McGlinchey's recovery
Mike McGlinchey was having a solid season before suffering a season-ending quadriceps tear in Week 9. The right tackle is working his way back into shape, hoping to return to the team in 2022.
"Mike's doing well," Lynch said in March. "He had a significant surgery to repair that quad tendon. Just as Mike has always done, he attacks everything 100 percent, and his rehab is going really well. So, we're pleased with his progress. We're going to give him the time he needs so he not only gets back, but he gets back and is pain-free and can play like we believe he's capable of playing."
Last week, McGlinchey shared video of his progress on Instagram.
"Progress within the process," wrote McGlinchey. "Very grateful for all of the work and people that are a part of our team."
Javon Kinlaw's recovery
The 49ers downplayed the storyline that Javon Kinlaw was drafted to replace the impactful player they had traded away—DeForest Buckner. However, there was always going to be a comparison after San Francisco selected Kinlaw with the draft pick acquired in the trade.
So far, Kinlaw hasn't met outside expectations. However, he has been hampered by injuries. San Francisco shut down his 2021 campaign after four game appearances, and the defensive tackle underwent ACL reconstruction.
"I'm feeling amazing," Kinlaw said in March. "Really, honest, I've had nothing but ups, no downs. Knock on wood. Everything has been progressing the right way. As far as from a health standpoint, I already feel healthier than I was last year when I was on the field, so I'm just excited to really get back out there and just be able to really showcase what a healthy Javon Kinlaw can do for this organization."
Kinlaw looked good in a recent Instagram post. His 2022 season will be about proving his doubters wrong.
Coaching changes
The 49ers coaching staff underwent a massive exodus this offseason. Among the departures was offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel leaving to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Wide receiver coach Wes Welker and tight end coach and assistant head coach Jon Embree joined McDaniel in Miami. Quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello left to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky. Running backs coach Bobby Turner is taking a year off as he recovers from knee surgery.
"It was tough," Shanahan said in March. "I mean, we really lost every offensive position coach except our O-line coach. And we got like 10 guys, which almost feels as much as anyone in the league. So it threw me off a little bit. When the season ends, you want to get away and just completely check out, but it's tough when you lose some coaches. You've got to kind of work at that.
"It was a little stressful at first because you lose so many guys that you're used to working with, guys that are your friends, and also guys that you've depended on for a while. And you've got to go through a process that's not always that fun. But after we went through it for a month, and when it's said and done, it does give you the chance to get better, not by losing guys but just adding guys."
Shanahan added that he is excited about his new coaching staff. However, change is always challenging, and there is no way to predict how such a massive coaching transformation will impact the 2022 season, especially if the 49ers don't have Samuel on offense.
