According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers have traded Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee to the Cleveland Browns for a 7th round draft pick in 2017. Yes, 2017 and not 2016.
The 49ers used a 5th round selection in this year's draft to select Clemson punter Bradley Pinion, who general manager Trent Baalke had said would offer competition for Lee. It looks as though that competition is over.
While there had been early speculation, due mainly to his college field goal experience, that Pinion might actually offer some competition for kicker Phil Dawson, he will likely start at punter for the 49ers and Lee will start for the Browns.
Lee was drafted by the 49ers in the 6th round of the 2004 NFL Draft and selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2007, 2009 and 2011 seasons. His contract with the 49ers had run through 2018.
Lee was going to count $2.55 million against this year's cap whereas Pinion will count only account for $483,550.
Lee had averaged 46.2 yards per punt during his career with the 49ers with a net average of 39.6 yards per punt.
And now, some Bradley Pinion punting highlights...
Cleveland is trading a 7th-round pick in 2017 to San Francisco for three-time Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee, league sources told ESPN.
Browns not expected to 'heavily pursue' 49ers CB Richard Sherman
By David Bonilla
Feb 14, 2021
CJ McCollum may end up disappointed. The NBA player had campaigned for the Cleveland Browns to pursue San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. McCollum is a Browns fan, and Sherman seemed open to the idea.
I appreciate you @CJMcCollum ! We will see how the process pans out in a month! But I hear you https://t.co/mudQL8W1Zp— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) February 5,
Florio predicts the 49ers will release Jimmy Garoppolo rather than trade or keep the QB
By David Bonilla
Feb 16, 2021
What will the San Francisco 49ers do with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo? The simple answer is that the team will retain his services, should a perceived upgrade not present itself. If a perceived upgrade is acquired, then the team will likely try to shop the quarterback.
"Most presume he'll be traded," wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tuesday. "But here's the question: If the 49ers don't want to keep Garoppolo at the balance of his current contract, who would trade for the thing?"
The New England Patriots would likely welcome back Garoppolo with open arms — for the right price. They have the cap space to absorb his salary.
Peter King weighs in on what it might cost for 49ers to trade for Deshaun Watson
By Kirk Larrabee
Feb 22, 2021
Would the 49ers be willing to trade one of their top two young defensive stars, a slew of draft picks, and more if it meant getting Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in return?
It's possible that's the type of package they might have to ship in Houston's direction if they ever have the chance. And it's one that NBC Sports NFL writer Peter King proposes in his latest Football Morning In America column, in which he comes up with his own deals for teams that could be interested in bringing the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback into the fold.
King starts this discussion with an important disclaimer, which is the Texans have yet to give any sign whatsoever that they are actually interested in trading Watson, even though Watson (4,823 passing yards, 33
Simms can't envision a 49ers trade scenario involving Nick Bosa
By David Bonilla
Feb 22, 2021
Chris Simms conducted an ask-me-anything version of his podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned, and spent a good deal of time discussing quarterback Deshaun Watson and his situation with the Houston Texans. Watson wants out, but the Texans want to repair the estranged relationship.
There would be high demand if Watson were actually able to force a trade. His no-trade clause means that he would have a lot of say in any potential destination. It's not a stretch to believe that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan might be intrigued by the possibility of adding a talent like Watson to his offense. Of course, there is no urgency on the part of the 49ers, as they have made it clear they are pleased to move forward with Jimmy Garoppolo.
San Francisco has
