The 49ers considered Mitch Trubisky with the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft before deciding to trade the pick to the Bears, who ended up selecting the North Carolina product, coach Kyle Shanahan told NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco.
“I really liked Mitchell. He was really the only guy I flew out and saw. I spent some time with Mitchell and got to work him out. I spent a few hours watching tape with him,” Shanahan said.
“But that wasn’t something we were going to do with our pick. We felt like we had to go a lot of other different directions. Our goal was to add picks and get as many players as possible, and we are happy with what we did.”
Instead of taking the quarterback, San Francisco traded back one spot with Chicago and picked up the team’s first-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2017, and the team’s third-round pick in 2018. Interesting to note, that third-round pick was traded to the Saints, who tabbed breakout running back and Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Alvin Kamara.
Shanahan will get to see Trubisky up close on Sunday when the Niners travel to take on the Bears.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Sticking with the Bears and 49ers theme; Shanahan also said he was interested in hiring Chicago defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. A well-respected and longtime NFL coach, Fangio could be a candidate to replace John Fox in Chicago, should the coach be let go in the coming weeks. “I think Vic definitely deserves to be [a head coach]. He’s one of the coaches I’ve respected the most, just from going against him,” Shanahan said.
- Though Fangio is an option, the Bears are likely to invest in an offensive coach to groom Trubisky, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Leading the list, of course, is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel, who always seems to be atop everyone’s wish list.
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell should be safe if the team finishes 10-6, even if the team misses the playoffs writes ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. He added that he expects Caldwell will return as head coach as of right now, but that could change in the coming weeks. Caldwell has managed two winning campaigns in his first three seasons in Detroit, or the same amount the Lions produced in the 14 years prior to his arrival.
- The Saints will not use their remaining IR-to-return spot, writes Joel A. Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate. The hope was that tackle Zach Strief would be an option to return, but that shelved after he underwent to repair his ACL and MCL two weeks ago. No other players on IR have a time table that would allow them to return.
The Bears should try and get Jim Harbaugh to come back to Chicago. Fangio wouldn’t be bad but they need an offensive minded HC as stated above….McDaniels fits that mold but I’d love to Jimmy Harbaugh screaming at the refs and coaching the Bears on Sundays.
Also would like to see Harbaugh back in the NFL. Plus Harbaugh and Fangio worked together when with the Niners.
Wow the Bears really botched that draft. Could be the worst ever. Cohen ain’t no Kamara.
The fact they traded up is whats terrible. If they just stuck to their spot things would not have been nearly as bad
Jared Goff was a bust too if you only evaluated him through November of his rookie year.
Cohen hasn’t been as good as Kamara, but he has certainly shown he belongs. Eddie Jackson looks like a keeper. Far from the worst ever.
Going to sad day for Bears if 49ers beat them. Could be nail in Foxs job. Race to see who goes first Macadoo or Fox
It was nice to see ex bear good as gold come back and kick 5 fg to seal fox’s fate. I will send the limo to get him out of town