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The San Francisco 49ers said goodbye to a longtime member of the franchise this offseason when starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos that included $50 million in guaranteed money.
McGlinchey, a player prone to criticism during his career with the 49ers,
was extremely unlikely to re-sign, which the right tackle openly admitted, due to financial restrictions.
However, the 49ers made the first step into filling his vacancy by re-signing swing tackle
Colton McKivitz, who has seen action on several spots along the offensive line, but is now expected to compete for the starting position.
With reports surfacing that the 49ers were "grooming McKivitz to start", it seemed that he'd be the penciled-in starter, but his contract is essentially a one-year deal worth $1.8 million, which doesn't necessarily scream starter-level money.
Are the 49ers set on McKivitz being their starter with just five career starts under his left, or will they add more competition?
General manager John Lynch addressed the elephant in the room at the NFL's annual meetings, expressing confidence in McKivitz at the moment, pointing to his confidence during a meaningful Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 to clinch the 49ers a playoff spot.
"Yeah, Colton's the guy right now," Lynch said. "And we just signed
Matt Pryor, who's a guy who's started some games in this league. But we like Colton. We have for a long time. And think Colton's confidence, that game he filled in for
Trent Williams, went in there and did a really good job as a left tackle. He's been a good swing tackle."
However, as Lynch noted, the 49ers did sign Matt Pryor, who appears to be filling McKivitz's old role as the swing tackle with good positional versatility and experience as a starter with the Indianapolis Colts last season.
Still, Lynch openly admitted that a competition will occur, suggesting the 49ers aren't set at the position yet, meaning San Francisco could also address the position in the NFL Draft, where they could look to find their tackle of the future.
"Colton's a good player, and he'll get a crack at that job, and there'll be a competition, but we're excited about him being able to man that job," Lynch said.
McKivitz is definitely an intriguing candidate due to his years of experience in the system, but it doesn't seem at all like the 2020 fifth-round pick is guaranteed the starting job in 2023.
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:
The San Francisco 49ers are likely hoping that a top offensive lineman drops to them at No. 31 in the first round of this month's draft. Fans would like to see the team add someone to compete with Colton McKivitz for the right tackle spot and potentially take over for Trent Williams when the future Hall of Famer decides to retire.
Having two studs bookending the offensive line would go a long way in protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy. While tackle may be the first-round target, depending on how the first 30 selections play out, San Francisco might have to trade up to get a genuinely impactful
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
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
