Julio Jones Fallout: Contract, Suitors, Titans
In a trade that will send one of the 21st century’s best players to the AFC, the Titans moved ahead of the pack in this pursuit via a firm offer. The Titans were the only serious Jones suitor, according to NBC Sports’ Peter King.
The Falcons spoke with several teams on Jones, though offers were scarce. At various points in this process, the team discussed the All-Pro wide receiver with every NFC West franchise. The Cardinals are a new entrant in this derby, but Albert Breer of SI.com notes neither they nor their NFC West rivals sent the Falcons firm offers.
The Titans initially proposed sending the Falcons a conditional third-rounder that could become a second, Breer adds, but Atlanta had Tennessee’s proposal of a second-rounder sans conditions on the table for a bit. Sunday-morning negotiations that ended with the teams agreeing to exchange later-round picks finalized the deal, according to King.
Tennessee’s willingness to absorb Jones’ $15.3MM guaranteed salary also outflanked other suitors, per Breer, who notes the Falcons were not interested in eating part of Jones’ 2021 salary in order to sweeten trade compensation. No first-round pick was offered, Breer notes, though at one point a first did come up as part of a potential pick swap.
A Jones-Falcons divorce first surfaced around draft time, and it became a deal framed around the new Falcons regime receiving cap relief. Given the salary component in these talks, that certainly is a key reason why Jones is Nashville-bound. But this separation began when Jones and the Falcons negotiated his wideout-record three-year, $66MM extension. Jones lobbied the Falcons for a new deal after the 2017 season; the Falcons refused and ended up making minor adjustments to his previous contract in 2018. The future Hall of Famer pursued the matter again in 2019. While the sides hammered out an agreement, the months-long negotiations — which ended with a Sept. 7 accord — took a toll on both parties. Jones communicated to the Falcons he wanted out in March.
Although the Ravens pursued several receivers this offseason and signed Sammy Watkins, their Jones interest ceased after the draft. Baltimore using first- and fourth-round picks on wideouts — Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace — ended its talks with its former division rival. Finances scuttled Seahawks involvement, King notes, adding the Patriots were also not serious players in this chase.
It sounds like the Falcons are preparing for a pricey Calvin Ridley extension. The 2018 first-round pick is now eligible for a new deal, and the Falcons are preparing for that expensive re-up, per Breer, by getting the Jones contract off their books. Though Atlanta is still eating some dead money from this trade, the team has some time on a Ridley extension. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option in May, locking up Ridley through 2022.
49ers To Sign Tony Jefferson
Tony Jefferson is back. On Monday, the 49ers agreed to sign the veteran safety, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 
Jefferson hasn’t played since 2019, when he tore his ACL. Then, the pandemic slowed his rehab, keeping him off the field throughout 2020. Under normal circumstances, Jefferson would have been mostly healed by April.
“I was really getting into a groove with my workouts and my rehab,” Jefferson said in April. “Now, I’m waiting two or three weeks just to get a medicine ball.”
After spending the early part of his career with the Cardinals, Jefferson inked a four-year, $34MM contract with the Ravens in 2017. He started in all 35 of his games for Baltimore from 2017-2019, but the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus weren’t fond of his five-game 2019 season. The Ravens released Jefferson in February of 2020, but he wasn’t healthy enough to land a deal elsewhere.
Jefferson will surely play for less than his last contract, but he has an opportunity to restore his stock in San Francisco. If all goes well, the 29-year-old could be the first safety off of the bench behind free safety Jimmie Ward and strong safety Jaquiski Tartt.
CFL WR/TE Jevon Cottoy To Work Out For 49ers, Others Interested
A CFL player is starting to build some serious NFL buzz. WR/TE Jevon Cottoy will work out for the 49ers this coming week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets.
Pelissero reports that Cottoy has already worked out for the Texans, Raiders, Patriots, and Saints, adding that there’s “significant interest” in him. As Pelissero points out, he’s got good size at 6’5 and 230 pounds. Unlike many players who attempt to make the jump from the CFL to the NFL, Cottoy isn’t a former American player who wasn’t able to make it in the pros right out of college.
Cottoy grew up in Calgary and rose through the football ranks entirely in Canada. He’s still only 24 and has just one year of CFL experience under his belt, in 2019. The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to COVID-19.
Kyle Shanahan loves to get creative on offense, and the team has brought in other hybrid players before like RB/WR Jalen Hurd and versatile fullback Kyle Juszczyk, so San Francisco’s interest isn’t too surprising. It sounds like the odds are better than not that Cottoy will end up signing somewhere.
This Date In Transactions History: 49ers Release Jerry Rice
The 2001 free agency period featured some key players change teams. Simeon Rice and Priest Holmes relocated and soon became All-Pros, and the Buccaneers landed eventual Super Bowl starter Brad Johnson. But the biggest name available that year was not up for debate.
Jerry Rice became a free agent 20 years ago today, and although he did not last long unattached, the legendary wide receiver hitting the market was certainly notable. The 49ers made Rice a cap casualty on June 4, 2001, taking advantage of the post-June 1 cut designation that allowed for cap relief. Because post-June 1 cuts at this point required the team to make such moves after that date, another free agency wave took place annually.
This ended Rice’s storied 49ers tenure, which lasted 16 years and saw the eventual 20-year veteran set every major career receiving record there is. Rice signed a seven-year, $32MM contract in the summer of 1996; that deal was set to take him through the 2003 season. The 49ers and their all-time great agreed to multiple restructures, including a redo in 2000. Rice said at the time of the last restructure he wanted to finish his career in San Francisco, but that did not end up coming to pass.
The 49ers prepared for this transaction months ahead of it transpiring. Their Week 16 game against the Bears in 2000 doubled as “Jerry Rice Day,” with the then-38-year-old receiver playing his final game as a 49er at Candlestick Park. Terrell Owens, closing out his fifth season with the 49ers, did some reasonable upstaging by catching 20 passes to break the NFL’s then-50-year-old single-game reception record. A 1996 third-round pick who would end up following Rice to Canton, Owens earned the first of his five first-team All-Pro honors that season and had entrenched himself as San Francisco’s No. 1 wideout entering the 2000s. The last of Rice’s NFL-record 10 first-team All-Pro nods came in 1996.
Rice’s exit marked the end of a 49ers era, one that rapidly wound down after Steve Young sustained a career-ending injury in September 1999. Rice was to earn a $4.1MM salary in 2001, and although his first Raiders contract — a four-year, $5.4MM pact — called for him to make just $1.4MM that season, the veteran landed on his feet in Oakland. After playing on a 6-10 Niners team in 2000, Rice ended up helping the Raiders make the playoffs over the next two years.
He agreed to terms with the Raiders a day after his 49ers release, joining the Silver and Black ahead of what would be Jon Gruden‘s final season (of his first Raiders stay, that is). After back-to-back years in which he was held under 900 receiving yards, Rice rebounded with consecutive 1,100-plus-yard seasons in Oakland. The second of those, during the Raiders’ 2002 AFC championship campaign, produced his 14th and final Pro Bowl invite at age 40. The Raiders gave Rice a six-year, $30MM extension in 2003.
Richard Sherman May Wait Until Training Camp To Sign
It’s been quiet on the Richard Sherman front, but there might be a reason why. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv writes that many around the NFL believe the veteran is going to “wait out training camp” to sign with a contender.
This isn’t a shocking move, and we’ve seen plenty of veterans take this route over the years. By waiting a bit for his next contract, Sherman isn’t only getting some extra rest as he enters his age-33 season. Rather, the five-time Pro Bowler can also wait to see if an alluring opportunity appears following injuries and roster cuts. Either way, he’ll get more time to evaluate his potential suitors.
Sherman has been a popular name this offseason. We most recently heard that he was in talks with the 49ers, where he had spent the past three years. Sherman has also had talks with the Seahawks, the team that he spent the first seven seasons of his career with, and he’s generated interest from the Raiders and Saints. The Jets have continually been mentioned as a potential suitor thanks to the presence of head coach Robert Saleh, who spent time with Sherman both in Seattle and San Francisco.
The Stanford product was limited to only five games this past year and recently turned 33, but he was still a second-team All-Pro in 2019. He’ll be an interesting gamble for a team, as he’s past his prime and coming off an injury-plagued year, but also played at a very high level not too long ago. The veteran has indicated that he’d like to play two more years.
Frank Gore Not Planning To Sign Until Training Camp; Retirement On Table
While a handful of running backs have lasted long enough to play a 16th season, none ventured into Year 17. Should a team sign Frank Gore, he would be in position to become the first.
The ageless back hinted earlier this year another season was on his radar. Now, it sounds like Gore definitely wants to come back. He does not, however, plan to sign until training camps begin.
“I talked to a couple teams, but my agent told me not to put any teams’ names out there. I kind of want to wait to training camp,” Gore said during an interview with KNBR’s Murph and Mac. “I want to wait to see if it’s the right situation for me. But if I don’t like the situation, I’ll say forget it and I’ll retire.”
The 38-year-old back, who is currently training in Miami, no longer wants to join a team without Super Bowl aspirations. Although he was with the Bills when they ventured to the playoffs in 2019, Gore has played in one playoff game since he left San Francisco. Last season, Gore gained 653 yards for the 2-14 Jets.
An injury during camp could open the door for Gore to help a contending team. He certainly is no longer in prime form, but the 16-year veteran has proven to be a dependable runner (three missed games in the past 10 years) and has amassed at least 575 rushing yards in every season of his career. The Jets used Gore a bit more frequently than the Bills did, but he carved out steady roles in Buffalo and Miami, allowing him to climb into the No. 3 spot on the all-time rushing list.
“I know that I can still play the game; I know I can help a team,” Gore said. “But it’s also got to be the right situation that I feel that I can be on a team that could go to the playoffs and get a chance to probably go to the Super Bowl.”
The 49ers, whom Gore indicated an interest in rejoining earlier this year, are already down Jeff Wilson for several months. But they drafted multiple backs, including Trey Sermon in Round 3. Gore said he remains interested in a San Francisco return but acknowledged the rookies may impede such a signing. A Dolphins reunion would make sense, even though Adam Gase is long gone from Miami, with the team not adding to its Myles Gaskin–Malcolm Brown depth chart until Round 7. The Seahawks also lost Carlos Hyde this offseason and have Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny coming off injury-limited seasons.
Multiple fullbacks (Tony Richardson, Lorenzo Neal) have played at age 38 in the modern NFL; Richardson made it to 39 in his 16th season (2010). Marcus Allen is the only pure running back to join Gore in playing a 16th season since the merger. At 16,000 rushing yards, Gore is 726 behind Walter Payton for second on the all-time list.
49ers Sign TE MyCole Pruitt
MyCole Pruitt has found his next gig. The veteran tight end is joining the 49ers, per National Sports Agency (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter).
The 49ers had been busy hunting for tight ends recently, and the signing of Pruitt would presumably take the team out of the running for veteran Delanie Walker, who auditioned for the team yesterday. In San Francisco, Ross Dwelley was the main backup behind George Kittle, with 2020 sixth-round Charlie Woerner and undrafted free agent Josh Pederson rounding out the depth chart. Pruitt has a good chance to supplant that trio of backups, especially when the team relies on the run.
After bouncing around the league a bit, Pruitt found a home in Tennessee in 2018. While the former fifth-rounder never put up big numbers during his stint with the Titans (20 receptions for 241 yards and one score), he had a consistent role as a blocking tight end, appearing in 42 games (15 starts) in three years. Pruitt also saw time in five playoff games for Tennessee, hauling in six receptions.
Since hitting free agency, Pruitt has also generated interest from the Ravens and Vikings.
49ers’ Weston Richburg Retires
As expected, Weston Richburg is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the 49ers formally announced that the center will retire from the NFL. 
“I consider myself extremely blessed to have played in this league and am so grateful for the experiences over the last seven years,” Richburg said in a statement issued by the Niners. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of this game and I’ve reached a point where my body won’t allow me to continue playing and competing at a high level. I was able to play some good football all over the country and was fortunate enough to finish my career with the greatest franchise in sports.
“From top to bottom, the 49ers organization is comprised of some of the best men, women and athletes I’ve ever been around. To be just a small part of an NFC Championship and Super Bowl run is something I will never forget.”
Richburg, still shy of his 30th birthday in June, missed all of 2020 with injuries, including a torn patellar tendon, and was set to undergo hip surgery earlier this offseason. The former Giants second-round pick last played in December 2019.
The 49ers gave Richburg a five-year, $47.5MM contract in 2018. He played in 28 games for SF, but he was slowed by a torn patellar tendon and ultimately shelved by a serious hip injury. Now, Richburg will cheer them on from home as newcomer Alex Mack mans the middle.
49ers Cut Josh Johnson
The 49ers have released quarterback Josh Johnson (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). In a related move, the Niners have added wide receiver Andy Jones to their 90-man offseason roster.
Johnson, who just turned 35, hooked on with the 49ers last November. Previous to that, he was last seen with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL. He could have been on an NFL roster sooner — the Lions offered him a contract, but the XFL stepped in and blocked it.
Over the years, Johnson has signed deals with 13 different teams. That includes multiple stints with the 49ers in 2012, 2014, and 2020. It remains to be seen whether Johnson will pursue another season in the league, but there’s always a market for experienced QBs like him.
Of course, Johnson’s odds of making the final cut weren’t all that great anyway. The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo installed as their starter with first-round pick Trey Lance waiting in the wings. That leaves Nick Mullens and Josh Rosen to compete for one — or perhaps zero — QB spots on the 53-man roster.
49ers Audition Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker could be set for another stint with the 49ers. On Wednesday, the free agent tight end will workout for head coach Kyle Shanahan & Co., according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). 
In August of last year, the Ravens and Patriots both expressed interest in Walker. However, he skipped the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave him an opportunity to get back to 100% health. That’s good news, because the final couple of seasons with the Titans were marred by injuries.
A late-bloomer, Walker never did a ton as a receiver during his first seven years in the NFL with the 49ers. Then, in 2013, he hooked on with the Titans and became one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL for a half decade, making three straight Pro Bowls from 2015-17.
An ankle injury limited him to only one game in 2018, and more ankle issues limited him to seven in 2019. In his last healthy season in 2017, he had 74 catches for 807 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll turn 37 in August, but he could be a solid supporting TE to star George Kittle.