Trent Baalke - Pro Football Rumors

NFC West Notes: Mathieu, Rams, 49ers, Lynch

December 24th, 2015 at 10:35am CST by Sam Robinson

Tyrann Mathieu‘s season-ending ACL tear did come with some positive news. Bruce Arians informed media the standout defender’s tear is “clean,” unlike the ACL and LCL tear the Cardinals‘ third-year dynamo suffered in Dec. 2013, NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling reports.

Arians hopes Mathieu will be ready for OTAs, as Carson Palmer was following his late-season tear in 2014.

The former LSU star boasted a brace on his right knee and was instructing Arizona defensive backs on the practice field Wednesday.

Here is some more from the NFC West.

Rams starters Robert Quinn and T.J. McDonald went on injured reserve just before Mathieu, and both St. Louis defenders underwent successful surgeries this week, Joe Lyons of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Both Quinn (back) and McDonald (shoulder) should be back for OTAs in April, Lyons adds. “From a timing standpoint, we needed to do it, just so we could get (McDonald) in the offseason program. Both of them will be fine early in the offseason,” Jeff Fisher told media, including Lyons.
Although Fisher noted Stedman Bailey‘s injuries were severe enough to end his NFL career, the third-year Rams wideout returned home from the hospital a month after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports.
Marshawn Lynch will return to an altered Seahawks offense now that Russell Wilson‘s taken his game to a higher level. A faster Seahawks tempo will be an adjustment for the Pro Bowl running back, offensive line coach Tom Cable told media (including Pro Football Talk’s Curtis Crabtree). “We’re counting on him to get healthy whenever that is and then once that happens, it’s for him to come back in and be able to adapt to this football team and the way it acts and the way it’s moving right now collectively,” Cable said. “That will be his challenge, but right now his number one thing is getting healthy.” Pete Carroll remains iffy on when the 29-year-old bruiser will return, noting there’s “a chance” he’s back by the time Seattle plays its wild card game in just more than two weeks. PFT’s Mike Florio continues to opine that Lynch, due to occupy an $11.5MM cap number in 2016, will not be back with the Seahawks next season.
49ers GM Trent Baalke has been out on the practice field instructing defenders, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes, despite his only coaching experience coming as the defensive line/strength and conditioning coach at South Dakota in the early 1990s. Although it’s unlikely 49ers defensive coordinator Eric Mangini would tell one of his bosses to step off here, the former Jets head coach said Baalke hasn’t been shy about helping out on the field. “I haven’t been everywhere, but there are some GMs who might not be as present and maybe that works for their style,” Mangini told media. “For these guys it’s a little bit different and Trent has always been on the field at different points.”
The 49ers’ No. 1 need going into 2016 will be on their offensive front, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes. Although Barrows offers recently retired right tackle Anthony Davis could well return for his age-26 season, the Northern California scribe obviously notes the team cannot count on him. Both starting guards, Alex Boone and Andrew Tiller, are due to be free agents.
Jarryd Hayne remains in the 49ers’ plans going forward despite being passed over for a late-season promotion onto the active roster, 49ers OC Geep Chryst told media (including Maiocco). The former rugby star not being as likely to be active on game day as newly signed DuJuan Harris led to the 49ers leaving Hayne on the practice squad.

Colin Kaepernick Rumors: Sunday

November 22nd, 2015 at 7:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although their actions are pointing toward a divorce with Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers aren’t connecting those dots publicly yet.

GM Trent Baalke didn’t reaffirm Kaepernick’s status as San Francisco’s quarterback, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, but obviously didn’t close the door on a return, with the trade market for the injured quarterback’s services to consider.

“Right now is not the time to get into the particulars,” Baalke told media Sunday of Kaepernick’s future as the team’s quarterback. “Right now, he’s no different than any other player that’s been placed on IR. When that surgery takes place, then the rehab process, getting him ready for the offseason program’s the next step.

“They’ll be involved in all the meetings. They’ll rehab. They’ll condition. They’ll do all the things. No different than any other player that we have on IR.”

Kaepernick only appeared on the Week 11 injury report due to the fifth-year passer initially seeking treatment but not following up on it until complaining of pain recently, Baalke said, before adding the decision for the surgical procedure on his left shoulder was mutual.

Here is more Kaepernick fallout.

After an NFL Network reported claimed three teams made trade overtures to the 49ers for Kaepernick recently, Baalke denied any teams contacted them, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group (on Twitter). Before Kaepernick’s 2016 salary of $11.9MM becomes guaranteed on April 1, such action will presumably move to the top of the front office’s itinerary.
A trade for Kaepernick will likely be something the 49ers will push for as he recovers from labrum surgery, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that scenario has significant flaws. Even though there is no more fully guaranteed money on Kaepernick’s deal, more than $31MM of guaranteed-against-injury money exists on the contract, making a trade nearly untenable. A deal would also be contingent on Kaepernick being healthy at the time of the trade, and Florio writes the signal-caller won’t be in any hurry to do the 49ers any favors — like the team-friendly deal he signed in June 2014 that gave them a relatively easy out after this second year — after what’s being perceived as a financially conscious move putting him on injured reserve now. Kaepernick forcing a release would allow him to land in the best situation for him, whereas a trade clearly benefits the 49ers.
The 49ers have no visits scheduled with other quarterbacks yet, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports (on Twitter). Blaine Gabbert and the recently promoted Dylan Thompson are the only two on the active roster.

49ers Notes: Kaepernick, Tomsula, Bush

November 8th, 2015 at 8:12pm CST by Rob DiRe

Blaine Gabbert played well enough to win, but no matter how he fared the bigger story is the tension that has risen between Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers organization. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that based on the current climate, “it is virtually certain [Kaepernick] is not back in San Francisco in 2016, according to team and league sources.”

Kaepernick’s 2016 salary becomes fully guaranteed on April 1st, and it is unlikely the team would want that number on their books if they aren’t committed to him, and La Canfora describes the situation as beyond repair.

Here are a few more notes coming out of San Francisco:

While La Canfora believes the situation cannot be turned around, Conor Orr of NFL.com writes that the 49ers coaching staff still believes in Kaepernick as the starting quarterback going forward.
Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes a look at the idea behind Kaepernick’s contract, and what direction the 49ers will go in from here. One option Fitzgerald believes the team could explore would be asking Kaepernick to take a pay cut in the offseason by threatening to release him in late March, when he’d be unlikely to receive a contract comparable to what they can offer.
Even though Gabbert played well and got the win, head coach Jim Tomsula would not name him the starter going forward, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayAreas.com. “Gabbert was our starter today,” said Tomsula. “And I don’t have a comment past that.”
Kaepernick has been the focus of much of the 49ers’ woes this season, but Tim Kawakami of InsideBayArea.com writes that he is far from the only one on the hot seat during a bad start to the season. He points out that Tomsula, offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, general manager Trent Baalke, and owner Jed York as members of the organization in a no-win situation.
49ers’ running back Reggie Bush is planning to sue the city of St. Louis after suffering a possible career-ending injury after slipping on the concrete at the Edward Jones Dome, writes La Canfora. Bush will likely seek gross negligence, given the danger of having the slippery surface so close to the field.

NFC Notes: 49ers, JPP, Lions, Bears

October 31st, 2015 at 5:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A quick look around the NFC…

If the 49ers – losers of five of their first seven games – continue their downward spiral through the rest of the season, first-year head coach Jim Tomsula and his staff (notably offensive coordinator Geep Chryst and defensive coordinator Eric Mangini) could end up as the fall guys, per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. While general manager Trent Baalke and quarterback Colin Kaepernick may also be under fire, Maiocco believes both have built up credit within the organization via past accomplishments. Thus, they have better odds than the coaches of remaining with the Niners in 2016.
Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, finally back with the team after a July 4 fireworks accident that cost him his right index finger, is confident his injury won’t affect his on-field performance. “There’s not going to be a major adjustment. As far as my hand goes, I’ll get used to it. I’m just fortunate to play football again,” Pierre-Paul said, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “The day I walked in here I already won. People said I was going to be out for the whole season,” the 26-year-old added. Pierre-Paul won’t play in the Giants-Saints game Sunday and it’s unclear at the moment when he’ll make his season debut.
New Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had past run-ins with the law in Knoxville – a DUI in 2006 and an aggravated burglary charge in 2009 – but the records of his arrests mysteriously vanished, according to Robert Allen of the Detroit Free Press. “There’s no record. There’s nothing,” said Knoxville police spokesman Darrell DeBusk.
The Bears worked out free agent punter Zoltan Mesko on Friday, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Chicago brought in the left-footed Mesko in an effort to prepare for Vikings lefty Jeff Locke – whom the Bears will face Sunday.

West Notes: 49ers, Bennett, Weddle

May 7th, 2015 at 8:37pm CST by Zachary Links

49ers CEO Jed York says that GM Trent Baalke has no problem making draft-day deals for the future because he figures to be around awhile, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “You have to make sure your guys feel like they’re going to be a part of it for a while,” York said. “And with Trent, I watch it when we draft. Trent will always trade for next year’s picks because he feels comfortable that he’s going to be here.” Here’s a look at the AFC and NFC West..

Michael Bennett said during a TV appearance that he doesn’t want to be traded, but he wouldn’t mind a salary increase, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. Reports have indicated that he would like the Seahawks to renegotiate his contract and today’s comments seem to confirm that. “People assume when you ask for a little more money, they assume that you want to be traded or something like that,” he said. “But that’s not what I’m trying to go for.”
Eric Weddle wants a new deal and he won’t be in attendance for workouts until he gets what he wants from the Chargers, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com writes. “I’m not coming in anytime soon until something on their side is said,” Weddle told 1090 AM. “They know where we’re at, and they obviously know their stance, so we’ll see what happens from there.” Weddle is scheduled to make $7.5MM in base salary in the final year of a five-year, $40MM deal, making him the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015.
Broncos defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are already in their walk years, Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. Both players say they’re determined to earn contract extensions this year.

NFC Draft Notes: 49ers, Thompson, Bucs, Gregory

May 1st, 2015 at 1:12pm CST by Ben Levine

NFL.com’s Marc Sessler explores which teams could move up during Friday’s portion of the draft. The Cowboys and Cardinals top the list, as the writer believes the teams could make a move for a targeted running back. The Lions are a candidate to move up and grab a defensive lineman, while the Saints could target a young quarterback.

Let’s take a look at some more draft notes from the NFC…

49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters (video link on 49ers’ website) that he didn’t draft defensive end Arik Armstead as insurance against Justin Smith‘s possible retirement. Smith’s status for 2015 and beyond is still up in the air but Baalke has said all along that his uncertain status wouldn’t affect the team’s draft plans.
If linebacker Shaq Thompson hadn’t been selected by the Panthers at pick No. 25, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times says (via Twitter) the Cowboys were ready to “pounce” at No. 27.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says (via Twitter) the Buccaneers are “thrilled” that offensive tackles Jake Fisher (Oregon) and T.J. Clemmings (Pittsburgh) are still one the board. The writer notes that the team will target one of the lineman with pick No. 34.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Ed Werder says Randy Gregory is on the Buccaneers draft board, which indicates that the embattled linebacker is also being considered at pick No. 34 (Twitter link).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC Notes: 49ers, Housler, Peterson, Johnson

March 15th, 2015 at 10:44pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 49ers came into the offseason with holes at wide receiver, running back, and defensive line. General manager Trent Baalke filled each one of those holes during the first week of free agency, and will now be able to go into the NFL draft with his options open, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

“When you get pigeonholed like that, other teams can maneuver, if they need to, to get ahead of you,” Baalke said last week. “So you’re always trying to get into that draft with the mindset that nobody can lock you in and say, ‘Boy, they’ve got to take this (position).’ Or, ‘They’ve got to take this position.’ You’re trying to get into it with the idea of we can go wherever we want to go and feel pretty good about it.”

The Falcons will be on the board with the eighth pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and former NFL executive Bill Polian expects the team to select a pass rusher, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s probably the strength of this draft,” Polian said Wednesday. “So, it is a good time to be in that market. The odds are pretty good, I think, that somebody good in that position is going to be there for (the Falcons). That’s what you like to have. You like for the need line and the talent line to cross.”
Former Cardinals tight end Rob Housler had a visit with the Falcons, but nothing has come of it so far. The team has not yet agreed to terms with the 6’5″ pass catcher, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
As the Cardinals remain a logical trade partner with the Vikings for Adrian Peterson, Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post writes that the two sides have been informally chatting about potential deals (via Twitter). Schultz writes that the parameters currently involve Peterson and a seventh-round pick for the Cardinals second-round pick. He also notes that the Cardinals, not the often linked Cowboys, are Peterson’s team of choice.
Safety Jeron Johnson is visiting with Washington tomorrow, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Caplan expects the former Seahawks safety to start if he signs there. After backing up Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor for 46 games over the past four years, both Caplan and Matt Williamson agree that Johnson could be a great value in free agency (via Twitter).

Fallout From Josh Gordon Suspension

January 25th, 2015 at 9:46pm CST by Rob DiRe

Earlier today we heard that Browns superstar wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended for the 2015 season after testing positive for alcohol.

Here are a few additional notes surrounding the story:

It has been widely reported, but the Browns have not yet been notified of the suspension for Gordon, writes Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. The team has released a statement. “At this point, due to the confidential nature of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, we have not been made aware by the league of a failed test,” the Browns wrote in the statement. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will provide further comment at the appropriate time.”
It may seem unusual for Gordon to be suspended or even tested for alcohol, but because of his DUI he has restrictions on alcohol as well as drugs, writes Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport writes that the drug policy is strict and clearly spelled out, and it is unlikely Gordon would be able to get around this suspension.
Albert Breer of NFL.com notes that the positive test did not occur during the season, meaning the test must have happened after the team’s final game on December 28th (via Twitter).
Ironically, Dan Mori of Bleacher Report recently wrote a column urging 49ers general manager Trent Baalke to make a move to acquire Gordon this offseason. The team famously had a deal in place to trade for Gordon last offseason, only to have the the Browns ownership back out at the last minute.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that the team has screwed up with Gordon at every step. Florio notes the warning signs before taking him in the supplemental draft, and the subsequent suspensions confirmed the concerns. Florio notes that the team had the chance to trade Gordon, and also had chances to draft other receivers since they became more aware of Gordon’s troubles.
Another troubled receiver that has dealt with suspensions currently has a better future, as former Jaguars’ first-round pick Justin Blackmon should be back on the field next season. NFL people are optimistic about Blackmon’s progress, and believe he will back in 2015, writes Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).

49ers Notes: Tomsula, Smith, Harbaugh

January 15th, 2015 at 7:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have a new head coach in Jim Tomsula, but he’d rather not be compared to his predecessor, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes.

“For whatever reasons, the job was open and I interviewed and that’s where it is. I get that. In terms of the fan base, I don’t believe I do anybody any good trying to justify anything. I’m not going to do that. I don’t have a bad word to say about anything that’s happened in the last four years. You can’t. We won a lot of games. We didn’t do what we were accustomed of doing (this year). I got it.”

“I’m not Jim Harbaugh. And Jim Harbaugh is not Jim Tomsula. I’m not trying to be that guy, and that’s no disrespect to him. I am comfortable with who I am. I’m very comfortable and I’m convicted in what I believe. I’m excited about it,” Tomsula said.

More from today’s presser in San Francisco..

49ers defensive end Justin Smith is reportedly set to retire after completing his fourteenth NFL season. GM Trent Baalke would ostensibly like to have him back in the fold, but he won’t start a full court press right away. The GM said that he plans to give him several weeks after the season ends before calling him to see if he wants to play, according to Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
It sounds like Baalke will have a big hand in the hiring of assistants, referring to it as “our staff,” as Maiocco tweets.
“[The] job was offered to one person and one person only, and that was Jim Tomsula,” Baalke said, according to Maiocco (link).
Team CEO Jed York said Tomsula is the head coach not just for one specific reason, but for his body of work and all he brings to the table, Maiocco tweets.
When asked if he has spoken with Harbaugh, Tomsula said “No, I haven’t. I have not,” according to Branch (on Twitter).
When he heard speculation in 2014 that he could be the next head coach of the team, Tomsula said it was “terribly uncomfortable” for him, according to Maiocco (link).

Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Coughlin, Philbin

December 14th, 2014 at 9:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Whether or not the 49ers‘ window is closed, head coach Jim Harbaugh’s time with the team may be in its waning moments. His relationship with CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke has deteriorated, and questions have arisen over his future with the team since before the 2014 season.

Harbaugh expects to meet with the organization about his future, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

“I’m always available to sit down with the owner and general manager, absolutely,” Harbaugh said. “Yes, at some point I expect that.”

Here are some other notes regarding coaches on the hot seat:

Giants‘ head coach Tom Coughlin has long been rumored to be at the end of his rope as the team’s head coach, due to his advanced age and the team’s poor performance. Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com believes coach Coughlin deserves one more year. O’Connor believes that his two Super Bowl rings have earned him the benefit of the doubt, and believes the organization owes him the opportunity to coach the phenomenal rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015.
After being blown out by the Patriots, the Dolphins should consider moving on from head coach Joe Philbin at season’s end, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. With the team’s playoff hopes nearly out the window, Salguero argues that anything short of two wins and an unlikely playoff berth would cement the season as another disappointment.
Buccaneers‘ head coach Lovie Smith has also been underwhelming, but the team would be unlikely to move on from him so soon, writes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Smith is in the first year of a five-year deal, and it would be unusual for the organization to make a move so early into the contract.