49ers Could Pursue Kirk Cousins
The 49ers could soon have a well-regarded offensive mind at the helm if Kyle Shanahan accepts their forthcoming head coaching offer. As the Falcons’ offensive coordinator, Shanahan has worked with a high-end quarterback in Matt Ryan over the past two years. In San Francisco, regardless of whether Colin Kaepernick opts out of his contract, Shanahan arguably wouldn’t inherit a starting-caliber signal-caller – let alone one in Ryan’s stratosphere.
Given the 49ers’ lack of appealing options under center, the Shanahan-led team could attempt to acquire Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, writes Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. No player in the NFL has more leverage than Cousins, posits Schefter, as the pending free agent will either end up as the Redskins’ franchise player again on a $23.94MM salary in 2017 or sign a long-term deal with someone – be it Washington or another club.
As PFR’s Dallas Robinson detailed Thursday, striking a multiyear pact with Cousins before next season would be the optimal outcome for the Redskins. There’s no indication the two are moving toward an accord, though, and Cousins is reportedly looking to become the league’s third-highest-paid QB on an annual basis.
In the unlikely event the Redskins allow Cousins to hit free agency this winter, the Niners “would pursue him as hard as they’ve pursued Shanahan,” according to Schefter. But even if Washington tags Cousins, that still might not deter the 49ers from chasing him, per Schefter, who suggests they could put together a package centering on their first-round pick – No. 2 overall – to acquire the soon-to-be 29-year-old. That would perhaps be enough for the Redskins to part with Cousins, as it would cost them an unappetizing $34.48MM to tag him again next year.
While the Redskins have plenty of cap space this offseason, no NFC team has more than San Francisco. The 49ers’ $81MM-plus in spending space for 2017 will only increase with Kaepernick’s likely departure, and the franchise is also set to have plenty of cap room over the next few years. That would seem to make a Cousins pursuit realistic from at least a financial perspective, then.
From a football standpoint, Cousins would be the 49ers’ best QB in years if they were to pick him up. The five-year veteran has posted strong performances in each of his two campaigns as a starter. While the 8-7-1 Redskins weren’t able to replicate their playoff-bound 2015 showing this season, Cousins nonetheless stood out with a 67 percent completion rate, 4,917 yards (only Drew Brees and Ryan had more) and 25 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Latest On 49ers’ GM Search
Before he withdrew from San Francisco’s general manager search Friday, Packers player personnel director Brian Gutekunst had been the favorite to land the job “for two weeks,” a source close to the 49ers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle).
Eliot Wolf, another member of Green Bay’s front office, preceded Gutekunst in pulling out Thursday despite being a finalist for the position in San Francisco. The decisions Gutekunst and Wolf made don’t necessarily reflect poorly on the Niners, though, as a source close to the two told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report that “other factors” outside the team’s control led to their exits from the derby (Twitter link).
With Gutekunst and Wolf out of the picture, the GM-less 49ers could target Falcons director of football operations Nick Polk, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Polk is familiar with soon-to-be 49ers head coach and current Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, having worked with him in Atlanta the past two seasons. Speculatively, that could give Polk an advantage over the 49ers’ other GM candidates if they do pursue him.
As of now, San Francisco is set to conduct a second interview next week with Vikings assistant GM George Paton. Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough and Jaguars director of player personnel Chris Polian are also possibilities for the 49ers’ GM role. The team hasn’t yet scheduled a second meeting with McDonough, however, and it hasn’t met with Polian at all.
Browns, Isaiah Crowell At “Stalemate”
Already nearing a mega-deal to re-sign linebacker Jamie Collins, the Browns are also trying to lock up running back Isaiah Crowell, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The two sides engaged in “heavy talks” during the season, but they’re currently at a “stalemate” and could meet again next week, tweets Rapoport.
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Unlike Collins, who will become an unrestricted free agent in March if Cleveland doesn’t re-sign him, Crowell will remain under the team’s control even if it doesn’t re-up him before free agency opens. The 24-year-old will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Browns will be able to offer him a first-round tender (worth around $3.8MM), a second-round tender (~$2.75MM) or a right-of-first-refusal tender (~$1.75MM).
The rebuilding Browns would surely place a high-round tender on Crowell, who was among their few legitimate bright spots in a one-win 2016. The three-year veteran, an undrafted free agent from Alabama State in 2014, broke out with 952 yards on 198 carries – good for a robust 4.8 YPC – and seven scores on the ground. He added 40 receptions and 319 more yards as a pass-catching option.
Along with Crowell, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor – a fellow serious threat on offense – is also without a contract heading into 2017. He’ll be unrestricted, but given the Browns’ boatload of cap space (an NFL-high $109MM-plus), they should be able to keep their top unsigned performers in the fold this offseason.
Coaching Notes: Jags, Fins, Ravens, Broncos
In the aftermath of this offseason’s head coaching searches across the NFL, Greg A. Bedard of SI.com asked three executives from successful franchises their thoughts on this year’s hirings. One opined that the league’s owners “have absolutely no idea what they’re doing” and that “most of these places are screwed up.” He also blasted the Jaguars’ decision to elevate Doug Marrone from interim head coach to the full-time position. “Look at Jacksonville. They keep Marrone—I mean, he was an assistant head coach on that team the past two years [8–24], was he not?—and say he’s by far the best candidate,” he stated. “After speaking to (Josh) McDaniels, (Kyle) Shanahan and Mike Smith? Are you kidding?”
Marrone coached the final two games of the Jaguars’ season, during which they went 1-1, after the firing of Gus Bradley. Before joining Jacksonville’s staff in 2015, Marrone worked as the Bills’ head coach and went 15-17 in two years. The club finished 9-7 on his watch in 2014, but Marrone then elected to opt out of his contract.
Now for the latest staff changes:
- The Dolphins have named Frank Bush their assistant head coach/linebackers coach and promoted Chris Kuper from quality control coach to offensive line assistant, per Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel. Additionally, the team has designated special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi an associate head coach, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. The 54-year-old Bush will take over Miami’s linebackers from Matt Burke, who’s now the defensive coordinator. Bush spent the past four seasons coaching the Rams’ LBs.
- The Ravens have announced the hiring of Joe D’Allessandris as their offensive line coach. He’ll replace Juan Castillo, who went to Buffalo. D’Allessandris oversaw the Chargers’ O-line from 2013-15.
- The Broncos will name Johnnie Lynn their assistant defensive backs coach, a league source told Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. Lynn is familiar with the Broncos’ new head coach, Vance Joseph, as the two worked together in San Francisco from 2006-10. More recently, Lynn was with the Raiders from 2012-14.
Latest On Jets Ownership
A notable shakeup is on the way atop the Jets organization: Owner Woody Johnson will serve as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom under President-elect Donald Trump. Johnson’s appointment has looked like a strong possibility for weeks, though he downplayed it as speculation earlier this month.
While Johnson will remain the Jets’ owner while he serves in his new post over the next three yeas, he’ll have to cede day-to-day control of the franchise for the first time since he purchased it in 2000. He’ll also likely have to resign from the NFL’s Finance Committee, Business Ventures Committee and Media Committee, according to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta
Johnson’s position is unlikely to have a significant effect on the Jets organization, writes Mehta, who notes that Steelers chairman Dan Rooney previously gave up control of the Pittsburgh organization to his son, Art Rooney II, while serving as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland under President Barack Obama from 2009-12. In Johnson’s case, his brother – Christopher Wold Johnson – is reportedly in line to grab the Jets’ reins. Johnson confidant Ira Akselrad could have involvement as an advisor, adds Mehta.
Woody Johnson decided at the end of a disappointing regular season to retain general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles for 2017, but the owner’s role as an ambassador doesn’t guarantee either job security beyond then.
NFC Notes: Wolf, Seahawks, Vikings, Rams
Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf has accepted a new contract in Green Bay and withdrawn from the 49ers’ search for a general manager, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today. He’s the second candidate this week to bow out of San Francisco’s hunt for a GM, joining Seahawks co-director of player personnel Trent Kirchner. One of Wolf’s colleagues in Green Bay, director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst, and Vikings assistant GM George Paton are continuing to vie for the 49er job and will conduct second interviews with the team next week.
More from the NFC:
- The Seahawks could lose a second-round pick for not disclosing cornerback Richard Sherman‘s knee injury during the season, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Seattle is cooperating with the NFL’s investigation, though the team doesn’t believe it deserves major punishment because Sherman didn’t miss any time on account of the ailment. Head coach Pete Carroll, who revealed Monday that Sherman had a “significant” MCL issue, could also face a fine. Last September, the league fined Carroll $200K and heavily punished the Seahawks – they received a $400K fine to go with a loss of a a fifth-round pick and a week of OTAs – after they violated its rules regarding contact practices in the offseason. As a result of this violation, the league could elevate the fifth-rounder to a second, per Mortensen. League policy clearly indicates the Seahawks were in the wrong for not listing Sherman on the injury report.
- Pending free agent linebacker Chad Greenway is either going to re-sign with the Vikings or retire, the 34-year-old told Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune. “If playing in Minnesota for another year is an option — and pretty much all season, I’ve felt like this is going to be my last year — and now I’m just trying to make sure that decision is the one I want to make,” said Greenway. “I’ve lived every day like I wanted to, like it could be my last game in the NFL, and I enjoyed the season. Now I can take some time and think about it, and we’ll come to a decision real soon.” Greenway is the longest-tenured current Viking, having spent his entire career with the team since it selected him 17th overall in 2006. In 2016 – his 11th year – the remarkably durable Greenway logged his 10th season consisting of 16 appearances, though he recorded career lows in starts (nine) and tackles (41).
- Redskins assistant defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant is likely to join ex-Washington offensive coordinator and now-Rams head coach Sean McVay‘s staff in Los Angeles, tweets Sporting News’ Alex Marvez. However, a deal isn’t done yet, notes Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (Twitter link). The Redskins want to retain Pleasant, who just finished his fourth season with the club.
A. Peterson Interested In Texans, Bucs, Giants
With his tenure in Minnesota potentially set to end this offseason, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson already has a few potential employers on his radar. The seven-time Pro Bowler revealed Thursday on ESPN that he’s interested in the Texans, Buccaneers and Giants.
Of course, in order for Peterson to join another team, the Vikings are going to have to part with him first. The soon-to-be 32-year-old stated that he’d like to remain a Viking. That would require a construct restructuring, though, as Peterson’s slated for an $11.75MM salary and $18MM cap number in 2017. Those are each unpalatable figures given his age and injury-truncated 2016, which saw him tear his meniscus in Week 2 and rack up a meager 72 yards on 37 carries.
With a $6MM roster bonus due March 11, an answer on Peterson’s future is coming soon, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Considering Peterson isn’t a fan of going through the offseason program and training camp, he could force his release and sign with a club closer to the start of the regular season, Florio observes.
Of the franchises Peterson is targeting, Houston stands out as the one that clearly isn’t a fit. While the Texans play in Peterson’s home state, they already have a starting running back in Lamar Miller, whom they gave $14MM in guarantees on a four-year, $26MM deal in free agency last winter.
The Bucs also doled out big money to a back a year ago in re-signing Doug Martin, but his future with the team is in question as a result of a late-2016 suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. In addition to costing him one game this season and three in 2017, the ban voided Martin’s $7MM in guarantees for next season. Theoretically, then, Tampa Bay could jettison him for Peterson if it wants.
The Giants, meanwhile, have a slew of rushers, though there might not be a bell cow among them. Paul Perkins, who had a decent rookie year, stands out as the most promising back New York has. Veterans Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen could end up on the chopping block this offseason. Even if they don’t, neither is a No. 1-caliber rusher.
Peterson, on the other hand, is one of the premier backs in NFL history. Although his 2016 was nightmarish, he isn’t far removed from winning the league’s rushing title in 2015.
AFC Notes: Colts, Ravens, Broncos, Jets
A quick look around the AFC…
- While announcing Andrew Luck‘s right shoulder surgery Thursday, Colts owner Jim Irsay declared that the quarterback will be ready for the season. Here’s a clearer timeline, courtesy of Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter): Luck will start throwing again in three months and should be ready for a full return in six months, which puts him on track for mid-July.
- After four seasons, the Ravens are likely to part with pass rusher Elvis Dumervil this winter, writes Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com. By releasing Dumervil, who has one year left on his contract, the Ravens would open up $6MM in cap space. Baltimore could use those savings to find a cover corner or offensive weapon, Brown suggests. Dumervil, who’s celebrating his 33rd birthday today, is coming off an eight-game, three-sack season. He missed just one contest out of 48 from 2013-15 and combined for 32.5 sacks, including a lofty 17.5 in 2014.
- The Broncos will hire Brock Olivo as their new special teams coach, reports Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). Olivo spent the past three years as the assistant special teams coach with the AFC West rival Chiefs.
- Jets guard Brian Winters will receive all $15MM of the guaranteed money on his four-year, $29MM contract in the first two seasons of the deal, per Darryl Slater of NJ.com. The pact also contains per-game roster bonuses of $500K in both 2019 and ’20.
FO/Staff Notes: McDaniels, Lurie, Shanahan
Earlier this week, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels pulled himself out of the race to become San Francisco’s head coach. It turns out he might be content to remain an assistant in New England until head coach Bill Belichick retires, at which point he would potentially take over, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). There are no indications the 64-year-old Belichick is pondering retirement, however, and Cole adds that McDaniels could leave the Pats after next season if either Tennessee or Detroit fires its head coach. McDaniels’ goal is to work with a general manager with “strong personnel skills,” per Cole, and he’s familiar with both Titans GM Jon Robinson and the Lions’ Bob Quinn. Those two were longtime members of New England’s front office before departing for their current jobs last offseason.
Elsewhere around the NFL…
- Since the Eagles brought an end to the Chip Kelly era late in 2015, owner Jeffrey Lurie has taken on a more active role with the franchise, league sources told Tim McManus of ESPN.com. For instance, it was Lurie who pushed to re-sign quarterback Sam Bradford last offseason and Lurie who denied the Jets permission to interview quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for their offensive coordinator vacancy earlier this month. One reason for Lurie’s involvement is head coach Doug Pederson‘s inexperience. Pederson, who’s fresh off his first season as a sideline leader, told reporters in December that he had weekly meetings – “very positive” ones, he added – with Lurie and de facto GM Howie Roseman.
- The Falcons probably won’t let offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan take any of their position coaches with him if he accepts the 49ers’ head coaching job, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com hears (Twitter link). Maiocco reported Wednesday that Falcons secondary coach Marquand Manuel was a candidate to become Shanahan’s defensive coordinator in San Francisco, but that now appears unlikely.
- The Jaguars are set to hire Jason Rebrovich as their assistant defensive line coach, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Jacksonville will be Rebrovich’s third stop under head coach Doug Marrone. He previously served on Marrone-led staffs at Syracuse and in Buffalo.
- The Colts will not bring back wide receivers coach Lee Hull next season, relays Caplan (Twitter link). The ex-college coach lasted only one year in Indianapolis.
Andrew Luck Underwent Shoulder Surgery
Colts owner Jim Irsay insisted during the season that quarterback Andrew Luck wouldn’t need surgery on the right shoulder injury that has bothered him the past two years.
“There isn’t some kind of chronic shoulder injury or anything like that, I promise you,” he said in the fall (via Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star). “There are no surgeries planned. He is fine and the shoulder is something that just disappears into the woodwork when he wins his next MVP or when he wins a Super Bowl.”
It came as somewhat of a surprise, then, when Irsay announced Thursday that Luck underwent a shoulder procedure.
Tweeted Irsay, “Andrew recovering from successful outpatient surgery to fix right shoulder injury that had lingered since 2015. Will be ready for season!”
Even though the Colts stumbled to their second straight 8-8 campaign in 2016, Luck didn’t show any ill effects from the injury. After inking a record extension last summer, Luck completed 63.5 percent of passes, threw 31 touchdowns against 13 interceptions and piled up 4,240 yards in 15 games. Those numbers represented a significant revival for the 27-year-old Luck, who struggled mightily during a seven-game, injury-plagued 2015.
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