It doesn’t seem likely that safety Eric Reid will be back with the 49ers in 2018, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. The veteran still views himself as a starter, but the Niners would probably only want him to return as a backup. Right now, the only way Branch sees Reid returning is if Jimmie Ward is penciled in at cornerback rather than safety.
Others on the outs in Branch’s estimation include defensive end Aaron Lynch and defenisve lineman Tank Carradine. Cornerback Dontae Johnson could conceivably return, but only in a backup capacity. The biggest name in the free agent bunch – Carlos Hyde – is expected to prioritize money in his next deal, so the cash-flush Niners will need to spend in order to keep him.
Here’s more from the West divisions:
- Michael Bennett‘s roster bonus is worth $3MM and it’s due on March 18, the fifth day of the new league year, according to ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson (on Twitter). His deal also calls for up to $1MM in per-game active bonuses for 2018. Bennett, 32, graded out as the No. 36 edge defender among 108 qualifiers in 2017, per Pro Football Focus, so he is probably worth the cost the Seahawks. Seattle may lose Sheldon Richardson in free agency and could cut Cliff Avril, making Bennett more important to the roster than ever.
- The 49ers took care of one pending free agent on Wednesday when they agreed to a three-year extension with center Daniel Kilgore.
- Kilgore referred to his three-year contract with the 49ers as “a team-friendly deal in which we can go out and get some good free agents,” (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee). Exact financial terms of his contract are still unknown.
Lynch had great potential as well but weed got in the way and he got suspended which set him back a bit. Carradine actually was a good fit in our new scheme, good run stopper.
I’m cool with the 9ers letting those free agents walk except Reid and Hyde. I think they need to bring back Reid and move Ward back to slot corner or release him since he is incredibly injury prone but Reid is a beast and bring a lot of passion to that defense plus he can play LB where where is a need especially with Foster facing suspension. Hyde is a good back but hasn’t had the line to really show what he can do. Bring him back and fix the line then with Jimmy G at QB and a good line I bet Hyde shows us what he really had got. Unless we plan on drafting a RB or going after another RB in free agency but even then I still like Hyde a lot.
Carlos Hyde will be in the Seahawks backfield next year
I like Hyde too but they should let him walk. Too much talent in this draft class in the backfield to use up cap space for an oft-injured RB, especially with other holes to fill. Wish him success where ever he lands though.
I agree with Thronson5. This seems like a move that the 49ers would regret. I wonder where he could end up if they let him walk.
Bringing back Eric Reid in the LB capacity they had him in this year would be smart. Also could be used as a backup safety of sorts as well.