Danny Gray

No matter how successful the 49ers become, we cannot seem to move past “what if?” scenarios involving bigger-name QBs. Although Tom Brady is retired (for the time being, at least), Kirk Cousins made a second free agency defection. The former Kyle Shanahan Washington pupil received a $100MM practical guarantee from the Falcons, tying him to the team for at least two seasons. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. pick raised the most eyebrows of any in the draft (and stunned Cousins), and one GM said (via the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora) the Falcons do not choose Penix at No. 8 if they do not believe a Cousins trade destination will emerge. Another GM viewed the Penix pick as a path for Cousins to, at long last, reunite with Shanahan in San Francisco.

It would cost the Falcons $37.5MM in dead money to trade Cousins before June 1 next year, and while one of the GMs who spoke to La Canfora the NFC South team would likely be willing to eat dead money to move the high-priced starter (presuming Penix is ready), the 49ers passing on a Brock Purdy extension to bring in a QB ahead of his age-37 season would be quite the development. Jed York has spoken of a Purdy extension, though La Canfora posits the former Mr. Irrelevant’s asking price could point Shanahan back to Cousins.

The 49ers made early preparations to sign Cousins in 2018, before their Jimmy Garoppolo extension, but Shanahan has long been a fan — to the point the 49ers were willing to offer No. 2 overall for the then-Washington QB in 2017. While dot connecting makes sense after the surprising Penix pick, several hurdles appear in the path to Cousins joining the 49ers this late in the game. Here is the latest out of San Francisco:

• The 49ers have All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga on the way back from ACL surgery, and they turned to 2023 third-rounder Ji’Ayir Brown as a starter late last season. Hufanga’s uncertainty about being ready for Week 1 may lead the 49ers to another veteran safety. This has been on the radar for a bit. The team is likely to give two-year starter Tashaun Gipson more time to determine if he wants to play an age-34 season, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. If not, the 49ers will likely want to add more safety help as Hufanga insurance. This job description may not be ideal for some of the safeties still available, but the market remains flush with veteran options after a salary crunch. Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Eddie Jackson and Marcus Maye remain unsigned.
• With Logan Ryan retired and Isaiah Oliver cut, the 49ers are preparing to see if second-round pick Renardo Green can hold his own in the slot. The 49ers will begin Green there, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News notes. While a widespread competition may still take place for the role alongside starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, Shanahan said Green has the makings of a slot defender. Giving Lenoir a chance to push for a boundary-CB payday in a contract year would be interesting, and the 49ers have been unable to turn to a slot cog on a full-time basis since K’Waun Williams‘ 2022 exit.
• The team going with Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 and then drafting Jacob Cowing on Day 3 will put more pressure on Danny Gray, and Barrows adds the former third-rounder’s roster spot is in jeopardy. Drafted as a speed option out of SMU, Gray spent last season on IR and has one career reception.
• Pearsall’s addition would seem to double as preparation for the point the team breaks up the Deebo Samuel–Brandon Aiyuk pairing. The 49ers appear prepared to push this situation to 2025, with John Lynch saying the team is done talking trades involving one of its high-end WRs. With Samuel being discussed on Day 2, a future in which the 49ers pay Aiyuk and trade their multipurpose threat is in play. On this road, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch does predict 2024 will be Samuel’s final 49ers season. Due to void years, it would cost the 49ers $15.1MM in dead money to trade Samuel before June 1 of 2025.