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San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors

OL Rumors: Taylor, McGlinchey, Pats, Powers

By | at March 8, 2023 3:18 pm

Right tackle will be one of this year’s top positional markets to monitor. One of the best players set to hit the market, Jawaan Taylor, is expected to do very well. The Jaguars blocker may move into position to command a deal worth at least $17MM on average, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. The Jaguars used their franchise tag on Evan Engram, with that cost being $7MM cheaper than the O-line tag, but they are attempting to bring back Taylor. The former second-rounder has never missed a start as a pro and has earned plus grades for his pass protection. Although Pro Football Focus viewed Taylor as one of the league’s worst run-blockers last season, the advanced metrics site rates him as the eighth-best pass-protecting right tackle over the past two years.

The Jags already have Cam Robinson tied to a top-10 deal at left tackle, which will make keeping Taylor difficult. A deal at $17MM AAV would move Taylor into the top five at the position. Here is the latest from the O-line ranks:

  • Another of the top right-siders set to be hit the market, Mike McGlinchey is not expected to return to the 49ers. The Bears would be in position to outmuscle other suitors for the five-year starter’s services, holding a near-$30MM lead in cap space (at $94.7MM). McGlinchey should be expected to join Taylor on a deal north of $17MM per year, per Adam Jahns of The Athletic (subscription required). Kaleb McGary could profile as a slightly cheaper alternative, per Jahns, who notes Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan was the Falcons’ O-line coach when they drafted the Michigan product in the 2019 first round. The Bears have gone through a few options at right tackle since releasing Bobby Massie in 2021. This represents a good year for the team to address the position.
  • Excepting their 2017 Stephon Gilmore payment and the 2021 spending frenzy, the Patriots are not known for deep dives into free agency pools. But they also look set to investigate the right tackle market. New England is seeking an upgrade here, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes, pointing out that the team is content on the interior (with center David Andrews and guards Michael Onwenu and Cole Strange). Trent Brown is still under contract on the left side. Beyond the top three RTs, Trey Pipkins, Kelvin Beachum and Andrew Wylie are ticketed for free agency. Isaiah Wynn is not expected back in New England, which is not exactly a surprise given his dismal contract year. The Pats hold more than $32MM in cap space, giving them some capital to use at this need area.
  • Currently carrying a $32.4MM Lamar Jackson franchise tag on their cap sheet, the Ravens should not be expected to retain their top free agent (now that Jackson is tagged). Ben Powers‘ quality contract year should lead to his Baltimore departure, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic writes. Powers needed to win a left guard competition in training camp. Upon doing so, the former fourth-round pick proceeded to rank in the top 10 in run and pass block win rates, per ESPN. Powers, 26, will be one of the best guards available next week. The Ravens’ Jackson tag has them $9MM over the cap as of Wednesday afternoon.
  • USC tackle prospect Andrew Vorhees suffered a torn ACL while doing drills at the Combine, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. While Vorhees still managed to perform 38 reps in the bench press after the injury, this setback will undoubtedly hurt the top-100 prospect’s draft stock.
14 comments Baltimore Ravens Chicago Bears Jacksonville Jaguars New England Patriots San Francisco 49ers

NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Draft, Purdy, 49ers, Ebukam, Clark, Seahawks, Staff

By | at March 8, 2023 1:14 pm

The Cardinals have fared well when picking in the top five over the past two decades, landing the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson and Kyler Murray. The team’s second-half swoon last season led to a rebuild, giving a new regime the No. 3 overall pick. Similar to the Bears, the Cards are prepared to move down. GM Monti Ossenfort made that clear, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). The team gave Murray a landmark extension last summer, and although Year 1 of that deal did not go well, he remains Arizona’s franchise quarterback. As such, the team will be prepared to move down to accommodate a QB-seeking team (or one eyeing the top non-passer available) that was unable to land Chicago’s pick. Such a move would bolster a roster that enters free agency with several holes.

Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • Ossenfort also said the Cardinals have been in talks with free agents-to-be Zach Allen and Byron Murphy. The first-year GM indicated the Cardinals “would love” to keep both players, though he noted the obvious financial caveat (via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban) that could lead each out of town. Both were drafted to play in Vance Joseph‘s system in 2019, and each will be among the top free agents at their respective positions. If Murphy and Allen leave, cornerback and defensive line would become areas of dire need in Arizona. The Cards did not put much around Murphy since Peterson’s 2021 exit, and Allen following J.J. Watt off the roster would obviously put the onus on the NFC West squad adding reinforcements up front.
  • Brock Purdy‘s postponed elbow surgery will take place Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. The breakthrough 49ers quarterback was initially scheduled to undergo the UCL repair Feb. 22, but swelling led to a delay. The seventh-round pick who would be on track to retain his starting role is expected to face a six-month recovery timetable, which would run up against Week 1. This creates more QB uncertainty in San Francisco, though Trey Lance is on track to participate in OTAs. The plan remains for Purdy to have a less invasive elbow procedure, but he acknowledged Tommy John surgery — elbow reconstruction — could take place. The latter route would threaten to hijack Purdy’s 2023 season.
  • The 49ers discussed trading for Frank Clark before the veteran defensive end agreed to a Chiefs restructure in 2022, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes. Clark is now available, having been a Chiefs cap casualty this week. The former Seahawks draftee’s 13.5 playoff sacks are the third-most in NFL history, but he never topped eight during a regular season with the Chiefs. The 49ers could consider Clark opposite Nick Bosa, with Samson Ebukam being viewed (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com) as likely to price himself out of San Francisco. Ebukam, 27, recorded 9.5 sacks in his two-year 49ers run. He could command an eight-figure-per-year deal, per Fowler, as this edge rusher market is fairly light. Even ahead of his age-30 season, Clark may not come much cheaper.
  • Azeez Al-Shaair figures to join Ebukam on the way out of the Bay Area, Barrows adds. The 49ers have already given Fred Warner a top-market contract, and they reached a midlevel agreement to retain ascending sidekick Dre Greenlaw last year. Al-Shaair will join a crowded off-ball linebacker market next week.
  • The Seahawks went through with some front office promotions recently. Nolan Teasley has moved into the role of assistant GM, while Matt Berry will become the team’s senior director of player personnel. Teasley has been with the team since 2013, moving up from the scouting level. Berry has been working with the Seahawks longer than GM John Schneider, having started with the team in 2008. Additionally, Willie Schneider will step into Beasley’s former role of pro personnel director. Aaron Hineline will replace Berry as director of college scouting.
  • The Seahawks’ recent Phil Haynes deal will be a one-year, $4MM pact, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com tweets. The prospective guard starter will receive a fully guaranteed $1.3MM base salary and a $2.2MM signing bonus.
7 comments 2023 NFL Draft Arizona Cardinals San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks

K Robbie Gould To Depart 49ers In Free Agency

By | at March 4, 2023 2:57 pm

The 49ers have enjoyed consistent production in the kicking game for the past six years, but a change will be coming in 2023. Robbie Gould indicated on Saturday that he will be leaving San Francisco and signing elsewhere as a free agent (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

The 40-year-old spent the first 11 years of his career in Chicago. It was in his second season in 2006 that he earned his lone Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, after he led the league in field goals made that year. His field goal percentage remained above 83% in nine of his campaigns in the Windy City, a tenure which was followed up by a partial season with the Giants in 2016.

Gould parlayed that into a two-year deal with the 49ers in the subsequent offseason. He once again led the league in made field goals in his first year as a 49er, then set a career-high in FG percentage in 2018 (97.1%, which topped the NFL). That figure dipped to a personal low of 74.2% the following year, but Gould still proved to be a solid investment across his two San Francisco contracts.

Overall, the Penn State alum has make 86.5% of his field goal attempts, which ranks tied for seventh in NFL history. Gould has also 97.5% of his extra point attempts, and routinely proved his worth in the postseason. He has made each of his 68 career playoff kicks (29 FG, 39 XPs) a stat which will no doubt boost his market in free agency. It also helps explain his desire to continue his career despite his age.

“I’m nowhere near retiring,” Gould said in February. “I got a lot left to do from a career perspective – No. 1 being winning a Super Bowl. And, two, I’m pretty close to a lot of milestones I think would be pretty neat to be able to accomplish.”

The franchise tag could have been an option for the 49ers, who used it in 2019 before ultimately agreeing on a four-year, $19MM deal with Gould. Doing so this offseason would have cost $5.39MM, however, and the team will instead look to a much less expensive option amidst their tight cap situation and list of other priorities. A draft pick (or UDFA signing in April) can be expected to replace Gould in San Francisco, though whoever fills his shoes will face significant expectations. The rest of the 49ers’ special teams battery – punter Mitch Wishnowsky and recently re-signed long snapper Taybor Pepper – are under contract for 2023.

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49ers To Consider Veteran QB Addition

By | at March 1, 2023 1:25 pm

Kyle Shanahan said last month the 49ers were unlikely to add a veteran quarterback to pair with their injured young passers. The organizational thinking may have changed in the weeks since.

Brock Purdy has not yet undergone his UCL surgery, which had been scheduled for last week before swelling led to its delay. Trey Lance underwent two procedures on his broken ankle. Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent who is, despite the team circling back to its previous starter at the 11th hour last year, almost definitely departing in free agency.

This setup stands to both give Lance extensive offseason reps, which will be useful for a uniquely unseasoned prospect, and thin out the QB depth for a team that saw both its active-roster passers go down during the NFC championship game. John Lynch said (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman, on Twitter) the 49ers “may have to look into the veteran quarterback market” as a protection measure.

Lynch was more diplomatic than Shanahan regarding another Garoppolo deal. After the seventh-year 49ers HC said he could not foresee any scenario in which the veteran QB returned, Lynch said the relationship has “probably run its course.” Garoppolo will be expected to price himself out of San Francisco’s range. The team had planned to carry the Purdy and Lance rookie deals into the offseason, allowing for big spending elsewhere. That still looks to be the blueprint here, but a host of midlevel or backup-type veterans will be available for the contending team. It depends on what role the 49ers want to fill.

If the 49ers merely will seek a practice-level passer to spell Lance at points this offseason, system arms Nick Mullens and Josh Johnson are available. The team wanting a true backup option would open the door to the likes of Case Keenum, Mason Rudolph, Blaine Gabbert, Chase Daniel, Cooper Rush or Taylor Heinicke. A host of bridge-type starter options are also available. It should not be ruled out the 49ers would consider the Baker Mayfield–Andy Dalton–Sam Darnold–Jacoby Brissett tier, given Purdy’s uncertain timetable and Lance’s inconsistency and injury past.

Lance is expected to be ready for OTAs. While Purdy is viewed as the likely starter, he is facing a lengthy rehab — one that could still include Tommy John surgery. That reconstructive procedure would sideline him to start the season. As of now, the 49ers’ goal remains for Purdy to be back in time for Week 1. Lance said during a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show he just wants a chance to compete (video link). The North Dakota State alum will have an interesting opportunity ahead, as the 49ers were preparing to go with him last year before his ankle setback. It will be interesting to see if the unpolished prospect can mount a serious challenge to Purdy thanks to a spring an summer of first-team reps.

Lynch responded to question pertaining to interest in Tom Brady by indicating the retired passer sent him a thumbs-up emoji when the GM texted him congrats on his legendary career. Unlike last year, Brady will be a free agent. The 49ers have been linked to the Bay Area native during a few offseasons under Lynch. Considering Brady was connected to wanting to play for his hometown team during his short retirement last year — a scenario the Buccaneers did not entertain — a free agency pact figures to come up. But Brady would not qualify as a Lance mentor; he would be stepping in to start. That would represent a strange scenario for Purdy.

But the 49ers still have one of the NFL’s best rosters. If Purdy is viewed as needing regular-season time to recover, Lance will need to be readier compared to what he showed in 2021 or ’22. If the 49ers do not view the former No. 3 overall pick as progressing this offseason, rumblings of a second Brady unretirement would be difficult to suppress.

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49ers Expecting RT Mike McGlinchey To Depart In Free Agency

By | at March 1, 2023 10:19 am

Mike McGlinchey has said he wants to stay in San Francisco but has also acknowledged, as should be expected, money will play a major role in determining if he will. 49ers GM John Lynch expects the veteran right tackle to price himself out of the team’s range.

Lynch said at the Combine he expects a robust McGlinchey market, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. The 49ers already have the league’s highest-paid offensive lineman, left tackle Trent Williams, which has long made it unlikely they would pay up for McGlinchey. That said, Lynch would be prepared to push to retain him if his market did not take off as expected.

“Could he miss his market? Sure,” Lynch said. “Then would we be interested? Of course we would. But I don’t see that happening. I see him being a coveted player. When you have Trent and the way our team is comprised, the reality is it’s just a tough deal for us.”

This free agency class stands to help some teams in need at right tackle. McGlinchey joins Kaleb McGary and Jawaan Taylor as veteran right tackle starters available. Taylor has also said he wants to stay with the team that drafted him — the Jaguars — but each should be in position to command lucrative contracts. McGlinchey turned 28 last month; the Notre Dame product will need to use this free agency to capitalize on his rookie-contract performance level.

McGlinchey has started all 69 games he has played. This past season, he bounced back from a quadriceps injury that ended his 2021 campaign. He made $10.88MM on the fifth-year option in 2022; his free agency contract should check in considerably higher in terms of average annual value. The salary cap jumped by more than $16MM this year, and five right tackles earn at least $17MM on average. A bidding war could push McGlinchey into that stratum. Lynch classified McGlinchey as being just behind the elite players at the position.

Williams earns $23MM per year. No team that employs a left tackle in the top 10 in AAV at that position is currently paying a right tackle a top-10 contract at that spot. The Jaguars and Falcons, with Cam Robinson and Jake Matthews respectively stationed at left tackle, face similar challenges. Depending on their free agency activity, the 49ers will be expected to collect a prime compensatory pick for losing McGlinchey, who stands to join Laken Tomlinson as O-linemen to cash in after successful runs in San Francisco. The Jets gave Tomlinson a three-year, $40MM deal in March 2022.

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Minor NFL Transactions: 2/28/23

By | at February 28, 2023 8:29 pm

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Jennings will be back with the 49ers in 2023. As an ERFA, the former seventh-round pick had limited options. Jennings, who caught 35 passes for 416 yards last season, entered the league as a 2020 draftee but did not play that season. The 49ers will have the option of keeping the young wide receiver through the 2024 campaign; Jennings will be eligible for restricted free agency next year.

0 comments Houston Texans Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Transactions Washington Commanders

2023 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at February 28, 2023 2:45 pm

As the head coaching carousel spun for several weeks, many teams made coordinator changes as well. Teams seeking new head coaches are conducting OC and DC searches, and a handful of other teams that did not make HC changes are also searching for top assistants.

This is a big year for offensive coordinator hires, with nearly half the league making changes. Here are the teams searching for new OCs and DCs. As new searches emerge, they will be added to the list.

Updated 3-1-23 (3:31pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals 

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Greg Roman)

Carolina Panthers (Out: Ben McAdoo)

  • Thomas Brown, tight ends coach, (Rams): Hired
  • Jim Bob Cooter, passing-game coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Brian Angelichio, tight ends coach (Vikings): Interviewed 2/2
  • Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed
  • Jeff Nixon, running backs coach (Panthers): Interviewed
  • Brian Schottenheimer, offensive consultant (Cowboys): Hired

Denver Broncos (Out: Justin Outten)

Houston Texans (Out: Pep Hamilton)

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Parks Frazier)

  • Jim Bob Cooter, passing-game coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
  • Tee Martin, wide receivers coach (Ravens): Interview requested

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Eric Bieniemy)

  • Matt Nagy, quarterbacks coach (Chiefs): Hired

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Joe Lombardi)

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Liam Coen)

New York Jets (Out: Mike LaFleur)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Shane Steichen)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Byron Leftwich)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Todd Downing)

Washington Commanders (Out: Scott Turner)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Vance Joseph)

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Dean Pees)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Leslie Frazier)

Carolina Panthers (Out: Al Holcomb)

  • Ejiro Evero, former defensive coordinator (Broncos): Hired
  • Vic Fangio, former head coach (Broncos): Interviewed
  • Marquand Manuel, safeties coach (Jets): Interviewed
  • Kris Richard, co-defensive coordinator (Saints): Interviewed

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans 

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Renaldo Hill)

  • Derrick Ansley, defensive backs coach (Chargers): Promoted
  • Doug Belk, defensive coordinator (Houston): Interviewed
  • DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Patriots): Interviewed

Miami Dolphins (Out: Josh Boyer)

Minnesota Vikings (Out: Ed Donatell)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Ryan Nielsen, Kris Richard)

  • Joe Woods, former defensive coordinator (Browns): Hired

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Jonathan Gannon)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: DeMeco Ryans)

  • Vic Fangio, former head coach (Broncos): On radar
  • Chris Harris, defensive backs coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/31
  • Kris Kocurek, defensive line coach (49ers): On radar
  • Steve Wilks, former interim head coach (Panthers): Hired
9 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets PFR Originals Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders

49ers Re-Sign LS Taybor Pepper

By | at February 25, 2023 8:01 pm

Two years ago, the 49ers retained long snapper Taybor Pepper in time to prevent him from hitting the open market. They have done the same again this offseason.

Pepper announced that he has signed a three-year deal to remain in San Francisco (video link). That will keep him on the books through 2025, since he was a pending free agent. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that this contract includes $1.5MM guaranteed at signing.

“Faithful, thank you for the past three years,” Pepper’s announcement states. “I can’t even begin to tell you what this place means to me. In life, some chapters are meant to close… but this one ain’t over yet.”

The 29-year-old began began his career with the Packers in 2017, but spent only one year there. He then played in Miami in 2019, in what amounted to another one-and-done campaign. He headed to the Bay Area in September of 2020, playing in the team’s final 12 games of that season. His performance during that time earned him a two-year, $2.08MM deal.

The Michigan State product has been the 49ers’ full-time snapper since then, and will now double the length of his stay with the team. San Francisco also has punter Mitch Wishnowsky under contract through 2026, giving them continuity for at least two-thirds of their special teams battery. Kicker Robbie Gould is a pending free agent, though he has made it clear that he intends to continue his playing career. Attention can now turn to retaining the latter as the 49ers aim to keep as many contributors to their recent success as possible.

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Brock Purdy Plans To Undergo UCL Surgery

By | at February 21, 2023 9:04 pm

FEBRUARY 21: The surgery will not happen Wednesday, with Tom Pelissero of NFL.com noting a slight complication will lead to a postponement. Inflammation in Purdy’s elbow prompted Meister to table the operation to early March (Twitter link). Purdy still could undergo a more invasive procedure, but Pelissero notes the plan remains for him to be ready by Week 1. Given the recovery timetable here, any delay would cut that pretty close.

FEBRUARY 9: Purdy clarified he is not out of the woods regarding a reconstructive procedure. The 49ers quarterback said Thursday that Meister may determine mid-surgery elbow reconstruction — or Tommy John surgery — is necessary.

“He’s done this year after year with the best of the best with MLB pitchers. So he’s definitely seen this kind of thing happen, and he’s going to make the best call, and not just for the heck of it,” Purdy said during a KNBR interview (via 49ersWebZone.com). “It’s obviously for the best call for my career moving forward. And he knows what’s best, and he’s going to make the best decision for us, so it’ll be good.”

Should Purdy only need the internal brace procedure, he said three months will be the goal for a throwing program to begin. While six months remains the goal, a more invasive surgery would almost definitely threaten his availability for the start of the 2023 season.

FEBRUARY 8: After considering options, Brock Purdy is likely to undergo surgery to repair his injured elbow soon. The 49ers quarterback is expected to go under the knife in two weeks.

Purdy will meet with a Dallas-based doctor on Feb. 21, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who notes (via Twitter) the rookie sensation is on track to undergo UCL surgery on Feb. 22. It does not appear Tommy John surgery is on tap. Purdy is expected to recover in advance of training camp, Rapoport adds.

This stands to mean the previously rumored internal brace surgery will be the seventh-round pick’s course of action. If that is the case, Purdy could be ready to throw in a few months. A Tommy John procedure would knock him out for much longer, though it would not sideline Purdy as long as it does MLB pitchers. Dr. Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers’ team doctor, is on track to perform the surgery.

Purdy, however, might not be full go until the end of the preseason. He and the 49ers discussed a six-month recovery timetable, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. With the surgery coming in two weeks, following that timeline extends to the close of the August slate. That will be cutting it pretty close for Purdy’s regular-season availability. Though, a more accurate timetable will come to light after the operation.

Purdy’s UCL tear harpooned the 49ers’ Super Bowl hopes early in the NFC championship game, and his upcoming absence will cloud the team’s 2023 QB situation. Trey Lance, however, expects to be 100% by OTAs in April. The former No. 3 overall pick would be in position to accumulate valuable reps while Purdy recovers, but if last year’s No. 262 overall selection is healthy, the 49ers are not believed to view this as a quarterback controversy-in-waiting. Purdy is expected to be the team’s 2023 starter.

Then again, Jimmy Garoppolo‘s 2022 shows the trouble with early predictions for 49ers quarterback situations. Garoppolo went from the 49ers’ unquestioned starter to a player they openly tried to trade to Lance insurance to being needed for another QB1 run. Another 49ers-Garoppolo deal became a possibility, but the veteran’s broken foot — leading to Purdy’s rapid emergence — scuttled that path. Kyle Shanahan said he does not expect the team to revisit another Garoppolo deal. That will leave Purdy and Lance for 2023. If Lance — San Francisco’s Week 1 starter this past season — loses the job to a former lowly regarded prospect, trade rumors will certainly come up.

The 49ers are not planning to pursue a veteran backup option, which would leave the loser of a Purdy-Lance competition as the 2023 backup. Considering the injuries both players suffered, the NFC West champions having both back to start training camp would represent a fortunate development after this malady-defined QB season.

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49ers Unlikely To Exercise DT Javon Kinlaw’s Fifth-Year Option

By | at February 19, 2023 1:04 pm

The 49ers are unlikely to exercise DT Javon Kinlaw‘s fifth-year option, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes (subscription required). Given that Kinlaw has played in just 10 regular season games over the past two seasons, that should be a fairly easy call for GM John Lynch.

Drafted in 2020 with the No. 14 overall selection — the pick that the 49ers acquired from the Colts in the DeForest Buckner trade — Kinlaw has battled intermittent knee trouble since his college days. He appeared in 14 games (12 starts) in his rookie season, but he played in just four contests in 2021 before undergoing season-ending knee surgery (which was later reported to be an ACL reconstruction).

Kinlaw, 25, opened the 2022 campaign as a starting defensive tackle alongside Arik Armstead, but he played just three games before more knee problems landed him on IR. He returned for the final three games of the regular season and started all three of San Francisco’s playoff contests, though his performance left much to be desired. Pro Football Focus assigned him an abysmal 36.7 run defense grade, and he also failed to replicate the interior pass rush presence that D.J. Jones offered before he signed with the Broncos last offseason. All things considered, then, it makes sense that the club would decline the chance to lock Kinlaw into a fully-guaranteed $10.5MM salary for 2024.

Kinlaw will, at least, get one more chance to rebuild his stock before hitting the open market. 10 of the 14 defensive linemen who played a snap for the Niners in 2022 are currently out of contract, and cutting Kinlaw would not result in any cap relief. Still, the club will probably search for DT reinforcements, as Kinlaw was hardly a world-beater even when he was mostly available as a rookie. Legal issues aside, Lynch could look to re-sign Charles Omenihu, though he may be too expensive to retain — PFF estimates a contract featuring a $9MM AAV — and Barrows says the team may want more of a run-stuffer anyway when it comes to DT options.

Lynch may also be on the hunt for DE upgrades. With Nick Bosa on one side of the line, San Francisco reportedly feels as if it should have a more elite edge rush, so the team could look to move on from Samson Ebukam and target a player like Yannick Ngakoue or Marcus Davenport, or it could consider a trade. Of course, the team is presently without a first- or second-round pick in the 2023 draft and does not have a ton of salary cap space, so it will be difficult to make too many high-end acquisitions. The 49ers will also hope that 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson, who flashed as a rookie despite being a healthy scratch in five of the last six games of the season, will take a step forward.

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