Month: November 2024

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.

Kirk Cousins

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).

49ers generic (featured)

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.

[RELATED: Browns Targeting Deshaun Watson?]

Isaiah Crowell

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.

NFC Coaching Notes: 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Bears, Vikings

Gus Bradley‘s hesitancy surrounding the Chargers’ DC job was believed to have been connected to an opportunity with the 49ers under Tom Cable. But now that Cable withdrew his name from consideration, the Bolts still don’t have a decision from Bradley. However, buzz around league circles points to a Kyle Shanahan-Bradley setup in San Francisco making sense, Alex Marvez of the Sporting News tweets.

This comes after a report indicating Bradley “spurned” the 49ers when asked if he would team with Shanahan. It would help explain Bradley remaining without a job after being coveted by Anthony Lynn in Los Angeles. The 49ers have shown a willingness to target DCs, with the Bears blocking their request for a potential Vic Fangio reunion, due to having a coach in line to accept the job in Shanahan, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.

Here’s more from the 49ers and the rest of the league during the postseason hiring period.

  • Shanahan will not put up a fight for control over the 49ers’ 53-man roster if hired, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports. The would-be first-time HC would be fine working alongside a GM regarding the draft and prospective trades, Maiocco writes, and could meet with GM candidates on second interviews on Tuesday. The Falcons’ OC is expected to meet with the 49ers again on Tuesday.
  • The Seahawks hired Clint Hurtt as their defensive line coach, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. This wraps up an interesting odyssey for the former Bears’ outside linebackers coach. A previous report linked Hurtt to the Jets as their OLBs coach, with that coming after the position instructor turned down an extension with the Bears. Hurtt coached Chicago’s defensive line in 2014.
  • Broncos assistant defensive backs coach Samson Brown will follow Wade Phillips to and become part of the Rams‘ defensive staff, Marvez tweets. The Broncos are bringing Johnnie Lynn aboard to replace him, per Marvez. Lynn worked with new Denver DBs coach Marcus Robertson with the Raiders.
  • Speaking of the Bears, they hired three new assistants: Jeremiah Washburn (offensive line), Curtis Modkins (running backs) and Roy Anderson (assistant secondary). Washburn worked as the Dolphins’ O-line coach in 2016 and oversaw the Lions’ offensive front for the previous three seasons. Modkins served as the 49ers’ OC under Chip Kelly last season and previously as the Bills’ OC.
  • The Bears might lose assistant special teams coach Richard Hightower to the 49ers, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune notes (on Twitter). He previously worked with Shanahan, doing so in Washington from 2010-13 and in Cleveland in ’14.
  • Vikings assistant Kevin Stefanski will slide from running backs coach to quarterbacks coach, Caplan reports (on Twitter). Although the Vikings promoted Pat Shurmur to full-time OC, they fired QBs coach Scott Turner earlier this month. Stefanski has coached the running backs and tight ends the past three seasons but served as Minnesota’s assistant QBs coach from 2009-13. He’s been with the organization since 2006.

Chip Kelly To Meet With Patriots?

Following the Jaguars’ decision not to hire Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator, the recently fired coach plans to meet with the Patriots, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com reports. Details of this meeting are scarce, but Mortensen points to Kelly having an advocate for a place in the NFL in Bill Belichick. The perennially successful Patriots coach and Kelly have exchanged football concepts since Kelly’s days at Oregon, per Mortensen.

Tom Coughlin was behind the push for Kelly to receive an extensive look for the Jags’ OC job, and the former Eagles and 49ers coach believed he would be offered the position during his interview earlier this week. Although Coughlin urged Doug Marrone to explore adding Kelly to the Jacksonville staff as OC or in another offensive capacity, Marrone didn’t end up seeing a fit. The Jags gave the job to interim OC Nathaniel Hackett, but Kelly could have a chance to interview for a consultant-type role with the Patriots.

New England obviously has an offensive coordinator after Josh McDaniels announced he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the 49ers’ HC job. But the Patriots have a recent history in bringing coaches as unspecified assistants.

After an unmemorable stint as the Rams’ OC, McDaniels returned to New England during the 2011 playoffs despite Bill O’Brien‘s then-presence as the team’s OC. However, O’Brien had announced he was taking the Penn State job in the days prior, so a more logical role existed for McDaniels than one would for Kelly. Brian Daboll also rejoined his former team during the 2012 playoffs after being fired by the Chiefs, adding to the unique history here.

The Jaguars’ job and this prospective summit represent the only known NFL offseason interest for Kelly, whom the 49ers fired after a 2-14 season.

Brian Gutekunst Withdraws From 49ers’ GM Search

Another Packers executive won’t be finishing out the GM interview process with the 49ers. The Packers will retain player personnel director Brian Gutekunst after he withdrew his name from the San Francisco GM search, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

One of the finalists for the NFL’s lone vacant GM job, Gutekunst instead signed a new deal to stay in Green Bay, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

The Packers reached an agreement earlier this week to retain director of football operations Eliot Wolf, so the 49ers’ effort to pry one of Ted Thompson‘s top staffers won’t come to fruition. The Packers execs’ decisions to stay in Green Bay come after Seahawks co-director of player personnel Trent Kirchner announced he was withdrawing from the pursuit.

This could leave Vikings assistant GM George Paton in the driver’s seat for the job as the one known finalist still in the running. He’s set to meet with the 49ers next week. Although the team is keeping an eye on Cardinals’ vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports, Paton is expected to meet with 49ers brass — and possibly leading HC candidate Kyle Shanahan — on Tuesday. Michael Silver of NFL.com also tabs Paton (Twitter link) as the favorite to become the 49ers’ next GM and win what’s become a complex race not unlike what’s transpired in the derby to become their next coach.

Another name to monitor, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, is Jaguars director of player personnel Chris Polian. The son of Hall of Famer Bill Polian did not meet with with the 49ers this month as the organization conducted a thorough search featuring nine interviews.

Browns, LB Jamie Collins Close To Extension

FRIDAY, 11:04am: The looming extension for Collins will establish a new high ground for non-rush linebackers, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (on Twitter) Collins’ new deal will be worth more than Kuechly’s $12.36MM-per-year average. The Browns are projected to possess a staggering $109MM in cap space, according to OverTheCap, so they could afford this despite a number of glaring needs.

THURSDAY, 6:55pm: The Browns are nearing an extension with linebacker Jamie Collins and should have an agreement in place by the weekend, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.Jamie Collins

[RELATED: Top 3 Offseason Needs — Cleveland Browns]

Cleveland, of course, acquired Collins from the Patriots in the fall, sacrificing a conditional third- or fourth-round pick (depending on the circumstances) to do so. New England presumably traded Collins, in part, due to his contractual demands, as he was due to hit unrestricted free agency this March. Collins reportedly turned down an $11MM per/year extension offer from the Patriots, and was intent on topping fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly‘s $12.36MM yearly average.

While those figures may have presented a problem for New England, the Browns are in prime position to meet Collins’ requests, as they’re projected to head into the offseason with a league-high $110MM in cap space. As such, Cleveland has more than enough financial wiggle room to extend Collins, re-sign fellow pending free agent Terrelle Pryor, and explore the open market for upgrades. Of course, by extending Collins, the Browns have afforded themselves the opportunity to use the franchise tag on Pryor if extension talks fail.

Ranking seventh on PFR’s 2017 Free Agents Power Rankings, Collins had expressed an interest in re-signing with Cleveland before hitting free agency this spring. “(Losing is a deterrent) but at the same time, money comes into play around that time,” Collins said last month. “If the money is right then I could stay here. Obviously I’m not going to turn it down.”

Collins, 27, started eight games for the Browns after being shipped to Cleveland, posting 48 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble during that time. All told, Collins graded as just the 44th-best edge defender in the league, per Pro Football Focus, a far lower rating that he’d attained in years past. Reports indicated that Collins had begun “freelancing” in New England’s defense, but clearly the Browns were impressed enough by his half-season stint to retain him for the long haul.

Broncos Want Paxton Lynch To Start In 2017

During the final days of the Gary Kubiak regime, the Broncos appeared pointed toward giving Trevor Siemian another chance. They are also reportedly Tony Romo‘s preferred destination if the Cowboys trade or release him. But Denver’s plan now is to turn the keys over to Paxton Lynch.

The Broncos hope to determine during OTAs and minicamp if Lynch has developed enough to be their starter next season, Mike Klis of 9News reports, adding the team wants to “do everything it can” to push him in his second year. Although the 2016 first-rounder struggled when summoned this season and will now have to learn a new offense after entering the league as a project, the Broncos remain convinced Lynch has the talent and character to make this ascent.

[RELATED: Denver Broncos’ Top 3 Offseason Needs]

This would mean usurping Siemian, who should probably be viewed as the safer choice right now after starting 14 games this season. The Broncos will be pivoting back to an uptempo, aggressive offense under Mike McCoy after two years in Kubiak’s slower-paced, zone-blocking attack. So, that could point to Siemian being more apt to be ready. Both QBs completed 59 percent of their passes this season, but Lynch struggled in his two starts — against the Falcons and Jaguars — after playing well in relief of an injured Siemian against the Buccaneers in Week 4. Siemian underwent surgery to repair an issue in his non-throwing shoulder but is expected to be ready by OTAs.

McCoy successfully adapted his offense to fit the strengths of Tim Tebow in 2011 then incorporated plenty of Colts concepts in the ensuing Denver system to allow for a smoother Peyton Manning transition. Such experience should prove relevant as the organization attempts to push Lynch into a starting job.

Klis adds John Elway will not trade for Romo while he’s signed to his current contract. Romo’s $24.7MM cap hold represents the largest quarterback figure in the league for 2017. Regardless of whether he’s traded or released, the Broncos are not expected to make a run at Romo or any other sought-after veteran in free agency, Klis writes. The longtime Broncos reporter notes the team could pursue a veteran signal-caller. But it’s unlikely that player would interfere in the forthcoming Siemian-Lynch competition.

Evan Mathis Retires

Although he hinted at a retirement on multiple occasions, Evan Mathis will make it official. The former All-Pro guard will step away from football after 12 seasons, telling Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer injuries helped bring an end to a lengthy career.

In an expansive interview, the 35-year-old Mathis said he planned for the 2016 season to be his last after going through an injury-plagued campaign with the Broncos in 2015. While he played through the maladies en route to having a standout season for the 2015 champions, finishing as Pro Football Focus’ top run-blocking guard, Mathis missed 12 games for the Cardinals this season.

I battled some serious injuries during the Super Bowl season. Winning it all made the sacrifice worth it but it really made me question if I wanted to go through all of it again,” Mathis said, via McLane. “I felt incredible during the first game with the Cardinals only to have someone fall on my foot and start a domino effect of injuries that led to my eventual demise in October. I also don’t want any more brain damage.”

A Panthers third-round pick in ’05, Mathis played for six NFL teams, earning All-Pro acclaim with the Eagles in 2013 and starting at left guard in Super Bowl 50 for the Broncos. Mathis started 93 games in his career, one that also included stops with the Bengals and Dolphins. He finished his career on one-year deals in Denver and Arizona, doing so after a financially shaped exit from Philadelphia.

Browns Zeroing In On Deshaun Watson At 12?

The Browns could be hoping to land the draft’s No. 1 prospect and address a gargantuan need with both of their first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Cleveland is enamored with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson but not with the No. 1 overall pick, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report notes. Instead, the Browns are eyeing the national champion signal-caller with the second of their two first-round selections.

Cleveland, of course, holds the No. 1 overall pick but may be hoping to grab both Myles Garrett and Watson in Round 1. A GM and multiple scouts point to the Browns’ brass planning a potential Watson pick at No. 12, the selection they obtained from the Eagles as part of the teams’ Carson Wentz-fronted deal last year.

Connected to multiple quarterbacks — with a previous report pointing to a potential homecoming for Cleveland-area product Mitch Trubiskyand Garrett, the Browns are becoming difficult to pin down thus far, especially after their showing in last year’s draft. Cleveland traded out of its first-round window on multiple occasions to stockpile picks yet passed on the draft’s top two quarterbacks in Jared Goff and Wentz before ultimately taking Cody Kessler in the third round. Miller notes the Browns may have seen something in Watson they did not in the coveted 2016 passers.

While quarterbacks’ stocks generally rise in the months between the season and the draft due to the scarcity of high-end talent at the position, Miller writes the Browns might not have to trade up for Watson. That runs counter to most drafts, but ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. doesn’t have Watson in the top 25 on his big board (ESPN Insider link). The longtime draft guru does project the two-time Heisman finalist going to the Bills at No. 10 in his initial 2017 mock draft (Insider link), so it’s far from certain Watson would fall out of the top 10 in order for the Browns to select him without trading up.