Santa Clara, Calif. – As san francisco 49ers Picking up the pieces from the second season, a game they believed ended too quickly, they looked back on 2022 with conflicted feelings.
Was proud to claim the NFC West crown. It was also deeply saddened that the upcoming Offspring would be breaking up a roster that has remained largely intact for the previous four seasons.
“It was an incredible season and I think we have a lot to be proud of and a lot to build on and I think a lot of the same guys are going to be coming back, so that’s exciting,” he added. nick bossa Said. “But it’s clearly not the same group, which makes the NFL tough.”
In fact, the 49ers are heading into the start of the 2023 league year on March 15 with another long list of free agents, including a handful of key starters and contributors who have been difficult to keep up with. The Niners have 20 players set to become unrestricted free agents and three more (linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowlesdefensive settlement Kevin Givens and offensive linemen colton mckewitz) is expected to be a restricted free agent.
With between $8-9 million in salary cap space, the Niners will have to be selective in how they spend. They will do some contract restructuring to create additional cap space, but usually wait to make such moves until they are needed.
right deal Mike McGlinchey List of Niners free agents in headlines. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 draft, McGlinchey has been an elite run blocker for five seasons and although he’s had some tough pass-protection moments, he has steadily improved. Talented, tough to make ends meet with durable tackles, McGlinchey looks set to garner one of the most lucrative contracts of any free agent.
And while McGlinchey would love to stay in San Francisco, he recognizes the opportunity for a significant pay day.
“It definitely has a lot to do with it,” McGlinchey said. “I’m not stupid and understand what I’m worth and I think they do too. And I hope the rest of the league will when the time comes … It’s a pretty good deal. We’ll see how it goes.” goes.”
Niners want to keep McGlinchey but know he’ll cost more as a guard than they can pay but tomlinson Last year. With so many teams seeking reliable offensive tackle, McGlinchey figures to do something in the range of $15-17 million per season.
All of this means that the Niners are bracing for McGlinchey’s departure.
“He’s a really good football player,” said general manager John Lynch. “There’s some elite (right tackle) in the world, Lane Johnson, he’s right behind him. And so when you’ve got [left tackle] Trent (Williams) and the way our team incorporated reality, it’s a tough, tough deal for us. And that’s why it stinks. Can he miss his market? Sure. And then would we be interested? Of course we will. But I don’t see that happening.”
Aside from McGlinchey, the quarterback most likely to make a big-money deal to the Niners Jimmy Garoppolo, After a five-year run filled with ups and downs, the Niners have made it clear They don’t intend to bring back Garoppolo, quarterback injuries brock purdy (elbow) and trey lance (Ankle) Combined with Garoppolo’s history of returning to the team when it was least expected there is some question as to whether the Niners and Garoppolo will actually part ways this time.
But this divorce is imminent for many reasons. For one, Garoppolo is likely to draw significant interest from teams in need of a starter or bridge quarterback. With so many other needs, the Niners aren’t eager to invest much in another signal caller except for Purdy. takes longer than expected,
Even if the market for Garoppolo doesn’t close, the 49ers are hesitant to re-engage with a quarterback who hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Garoppolo has missed 32 games since 2016 with various injuries and started a full season only once (2019). For a team with championship aspirations, tying its future with Garoppolo again, even as a backup, would not be a risk worth taking.
“Jimmy has been tremendous for us,” Lynch said. “We admire his tenacity. We admire the teammate that he was … I do believe it’s probably run its course, but I think we wish Jimmy and Jimmy good luck.” Leaving nothing but happy memories of playing football.”
defensive back jimmy ward, Team’s longest playing player, is also moving towards the open market. Coach Kyle Shanahan has stated that Ward is one of his favorite players on the roster and the team would like to have Ward back again. Ward can play free safety and nickel cornerback but prefers safety.
The market for Ward at the age of 31 is a bit tough. It’s possible he could come back if a big deal doesn’t materialize, but versatile defensive players like him don’t often struggle to find a new home. wards may have clear landing spots with jets and houston texansBoth hire former Niners defensive coordinators as head coaches.
linebacker aziz al-shayr Another valuable free agent who is likely to go elsewhere and Demeko would make sense as a priority for Ryan and the Texans. Niners paid weak side linebacker dre greenlaw during the season and is already Fred Warner on an expensive long-term contract. This is the reason why Al-Shayar is likely to move to another franchise. defensive lineman charles omenihu And samson abukum They may have also played way out of San Francisco’s price range.
The Niners also anticipate parting ways with free-agent kicker Robbie Gold, Since signing in 2017, Gould has been reliable enough that Shanahan hasn’t had to think much about that position. At age 40, Gould never missed an extra point or field goal in 68 post-season attempts. The 49ers were previously willing to pay for that peace of mind, but Gould told ESPN’s Adam Schefter this week that he would explore free agency in 2023 and kick elsewhere.
Lynch said the 49ers will be closely evaluating the kicker with a view to replacing Gould in this year’s draft.
Elsewhere on the roster, center Jake Brendlecornerback Emmanuel MosleySecurity Tashun Gipson Sr., and offensive linemen Daniel Brunskill are also among the top priorities of the Niners.
Brendel performed well in his first season as a starter, which could attract the attention of other teams. But he’s a good fit for the Niners and the sample size of one season could mean he needs to prove himself further before a much bigger payday.
Moseley, almost certainly going on a bigger contract elsewhere, tore his left ACL. week 5 win against carolina panthers, This injury puts his situation in flux and means he takes a short-term deal to prove he is healthy before cashing in. Assuming the price is reasonable (think $5-8 million), San Francisco is the most logical place for him. He.
Gipson was a surprise starter after signing in training camp, but played well enough for the Niners to keep him on the field after Ward was injured. Lynch said the 32-year-old Gipson would like to continue playing and the Niners would like to have him back.
Brunskill has proven to be a valuable and versatile lineman capable of playing anywhere along the line. He’s the ideal sixth player for any offensive line, but that flexibility could earn him a contract the Niners can’t afford. If he doesn’t get too high or Brendel leaves, he might even come back.