49ers travel outside the box for GM hire: Although it occurred last Sunday, the 49ers hiring John Lynch as their general manager remains the personnel-related story of the week. Although the former Fox analyst helped out the Broncos with some scouting in recent years, he is devoid of serious personnel experience. But the 45-year-old first-time GM received a six-year contract, like the one Kyle Shanahan is expected to sign soon. Lynch hired Broncos executive Adam Peters, will give assistant GM Tom Gamble more time to prove himself, and the 49ers may have more experienced execs on their docket. Mike Shanahan, though, won’t follow his son to the Bay Area. Nevertheless, San Francisco will have an interesting arrangement, with Lynch controlling the 90-man roster, free agency and the draft, as Shanahan assumes command of the team’s 53-man roster.
San Francisco’s on-field plans taking shape?: Colin Kaepernick is unlikely to be part of the 49ers’ roster for a seventh season; the 29-year-old passer plans to opt out of his contract. The 49ers remain interested in Kirk Cousins due to the dearth of available QBs and Kyle Shanahan’s previous work with him while in Washington. But a Jimmy Garoppolo trade, with a Matt Schaub contingency plan, also could be in the cards. The team has identified two candidates thus far — Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores and former Jaguars ‘backers boss Robert Saleh — as DC options.
Raiders/Las Vegas partnership in trouble: Previously gaining steam in time for a possible March vote, one that would come with a lack of a viable Oakland plan, the Raiders’ Las Vegas venture endured a bad week. Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson’s relationship with the Raiders showed signs of strain in the past, but the controversial billionaire withdrew from the project this week. Shortly after, news emerged Goldman Sachs — another key backer in this operation — threatened to pull out of this near-$2 billion proposal. The Raiders remain committed to Vegas, but sources told Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole the deal is “all but dead.” While Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News offered evidence to the contrary, San Diego has now inquired about a Raiders relationship less than a month after losing the Chargers.
Fitzgerald coming back to Cardinals; Palmer to follow?: Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer were both considering retirement as recently as a week ago, but the future Hall of Fame wide receiver will be back for a 14th season. Fitz’s thought process included Palmer, but he’s committed without knowing if the four-year Cards quarterback will play again. Conflicting reports had Palmer’s Arizona house on the market, but Bruce Arians attempted to shed some light on his own view of the matter. The fifth-year Cardinals coach expects Palmer to announce he’ll be back for a fifth season in Arizona soon.
Tony Romo derby taking shape: After a report last week put the Broncos as potential suitors only if Romo reaches free agency, other teams’ statuses — and the 36-year-old quarterback’s preferences — began to surface. Romo wants to play for a contender, and the Broncos, Chiefs, Texans and Cardinals are believed to be on the four-time Pro Bowler’s short list. The Bills are interested in Romo but do not profile as a contender for whom the veteran passer would want to play. The Texans are not planning to pursue Romo, instead preferring to draft a quarterback to possibly take over for Brock Osweiler. The Chiefs, though, are said to be looking to upgrade at quarterback. Alex Smith is signed for two more seasons, but the dead money component of this equation is now manageable for Kansas City. Romo has no plans to retire despite interest from TV networks.
