2022 Offseason thread

[Samurai]

Well the offseason is a success. Dontae "The Barnacle" Johnson has re-signed.

In slightly more positive news, Jordan Willis also returning, as I figured he might. Adds another depth piece at DE, and a guy who still has a bit of upside with elite physical tools. And, of course, two of the biggest STs plays in franchise history.

No word on contracts that I've seen, but I'm assuming they're both near the minimum.

After the blocked punt in Green Bay, I fully expected that the team would want Willis back as long assuming it isn't for a lot of money.

And I think the Dontae Johnson signing is also a decent move. His PFF score of 61.2 is comparable to Tartt (61.8) and clearly better than Lenoir or Ambry Thomas (granted, I'm sure Thomas' score was likely worse earlier in the season), so he's a decent insurance policy to have in your back pocket. Plus he has experience playing in the slot, outside and at safety. Kinda reminds me of a Daniel Brunskill for the secondary; very solid as a Swiss army knife on the bench but you're in trouble if you are counting on him as a regular starter (so yes, I am still hoping we can find someone that can move Brunskill back to being our insurance policy).

And Jeff Wilson is a very good signing since RB's tend to drop like flies; will still likely need to draft another one as well.

[LightTheBeam]

Well the offseason is a success. Dontae "The Barnacle" Johnson has re-signed.

In slightly more positive news, Jordan Willis also returning, as I figured he might. Adds another depth piece at DE, and a guy who still has a bit of upside with elite physical tools. And, of course, two of the biggest STs plays in franchise history.

No word on contracts that I've seen, but I'm assuming they're both near the minimum.

I would like to see Key back if it is possible

I would too but the fact that he has met with the Lions and the Jaguars indicates that they have interest in him. If there is a bidding war, the Niners don't have a lot in the piggy bank to compete. They may feel that they can find a cheaper DE in the draft.

Key was nice, but we did the same thing the year before with Kerry Hyder. Rather than bid against the Jaguars, id rather just find another cheap buy

[GS Warriors 1]

Peter King floating a Garoppolo trade for Darnold. I mean...why? Why would we even want Darnold? He's a garbage QB who costs almost $19 million. At that point, we'd almost be better off to keep Jimmy. There's only an additional $7 million cap hit, and at least he's familiar with the offense. And we'd recoup a better comp pick for him next year, assuming he garners more of a contract than Darnold.

But we need to move on from Jimmy if we can't trade him. Got to cut him. We absolutely cannot eat up that much cap space on a backup QB. Half the reason you go with a rookie QB is for the cap savings. If we traded all that draft capital and still shell out $67 million on the QB position in Lance's first two years, it would basically be a disaster.

Carolina can re-work Darnold's deal as to where the teams could split the cost, maybe down to $10M or so. Panthers did the same for Teddy Bridgewater last year before trading him to the Broncos. Would the 49ers do a Darnold, 4th round pick, conditional 2023 3rd round pick for Garoppolo? It may be their final option. I think they would take that deal.

[CrimsonCrew]

Peter King floating a Garoppolo trade for Darnold. I mean...why? Why would we even want Darnold? He's a garbage QB who costs almost $19 million. At that point, we'd almost be better off to keep Jimmy. There's only an additional $7 million cap hit, and at least he's familiar with the offense. And we'd recoup a better comp pick for him next year, assuming he garners more of a contract than Darnold.

But we need to move on from Jimmy if we can't trade him. Got to cut him. We absolutely cannot eat up that much cap space on a backup QB. Half the reason you go with a rookie QB is for the cap savings. If we traded all that draft capital and still shell out $67 million on the QB position in Lance's first two years, it would basically be a disaster.

Carolina can re-work Darnold's deal as to where the teams could split the cost, maybe down to $10M or so. Panthers did the same for Teddy Bridgewater last year before trading him to the Broncos. Would the 49ers do a Darnold, 4th round pick, conditional 2023 3rd round pick for Garoppolo? It may be their final option. I think they would take that deal.

Sure, if it's Darnold plus something at half the cost, you do that deal. Worst case, you cut Darnold and shouldn't be on the hook for anything. But if it's just Darnold at his current figure, I don't see any benefit whatsoever to bringing him in. I agree that that is basically our only shot of actually moving Jimmy for something of any value whatsoever, barring a catastrophic injury to some team's starter during the offseason.

Though I'm also skeptical anything happens before the draft at this point.

[Jikkle]

The whole Jimmy thing may be another big blunder by this regime.

It isn't getting any better.

Hard to say because so much information is floating around that likely isn't true or just pure speculation.

I'm more with Maiocco's opinion in that they just aren't getting any decent offers and they are stuck with him until he gets a clean bill of health and can be released or maybe traded.

The 9ers just don't have any leverage at all so teams aren't falling over themselves to trade for a guy that can't stay healthy and is now out with shoulder surgery, making 25 million, turnover prone, and has hit his ceiling in terms of what you're getting. Not to mention the fact that teams know you want to unload him.

My guess is unless a QB gets hurt he'll be released soon after the 9ers won't owe him 7.5 million.

You simply can't have him back on the roster without it being a complete mess because you're just undermining Lance's ability to take control of and lead the team. The locker room loves Jimmy because he's best buddies with a lot of them and they've won games together so any sort of struggle Lance has which he will have growing pains you're going to have the locker room grumble and want Jimmy in there.

Even though a lot of fans are freaking out my stance is this is only a fiasco if Jimmy is on the roster taking snaps during training camp.

[CrimsonCrew]

Hyder coming back on a pretty reasonable one-year contract. Solid move for a guy who can be at least a solid starter/depth piece. I'd still like to add a guy with a little more pure pass rush ability in the draft.

$1.5 million. Very manageable, basically the minimum (I believe vet minimum for him is $1.4 million) for a solid depth piece like Hyder. I'd prefer he's not starting, but we know he can if we need him to.

[Samurai]

Hyder coming back on a pretty reasonable one-year contract. Solid move for a guy who can be at least a solid starter/depth piece. I'd still like to add a guy with a little more pure pass rush ability in the draft.

$1.5 million. Very manageable, basically the minimum (I believe vet minimum for him is $1.4 million) for a solid depth piece like Hyder. I'd prefer he's not starting, but we know he can if we need him to.

I was hoping we could re-sign Hyder once Seattle released him. We need another edge rusher, Hyder is a known entity, and if he can just approach his 2020 performance with us (11 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) that would be a huge bonus for us at only $1.5M. Plus I'm assuming that the team would have consulted with Kris Kocurek whether he wanted Hyder back and if Kocurek said yes, that's good enough for me.

[Samurai]

K'Waun Williams signs with the Broncos. I'm not overly surprised since I figured other teams would likely pay more than we can afford, plus Williams' performance did drop off in the latter half of the season. But I'm not convinced his replacement is best served by one of the guys already on the team so I think we will need to find an affordable free agent. This is critical when we have to stare at Cooper Kupp twice a year.

[Cactus Jack]

Hyder coming back on a pretty reasonable one-year contract. Solid move for a guy who can be at least a solid starter/depth piece. I'd still like to add a guy with a little more pure pass rush ability in the draft.

$1.5 million. Very manageable, basically the minimum (I believe vet minimum for him is $1.4 million) for a solid depth piece like Hyder. I'd prefer he's not starting, but we know he can if we need him to.

I was hoping we could re-sign Hyder once Seattle released him. We need another edge rusher, Hyder is a known entity, and if he can just approach his 2020 performance with us (11 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) that would be a huge bonus for us at only $1.5M. Plus I'm assuming that the team would have consulted with Kris Kocurek whether he wanted Hyder back and if Kocurek said yes, that's good enough for me.

Hyder kind of got lost in the mix last season. The Hawks are also transitioning to a 3-4. So them letting him go isn't all that surprising. Still a good depth piece.

[CrimsonCrew]

K'Waun Williams signs with the Broncos. I'm not overly surprised since I figured other teams would likely pay more than we can afford, plus Williams' performance did drop off in the latter half of the season. But I'm not convinced his replacement is best served by one of the guys already on the team so I think we will need to find an affordable free agent. This is critical when we have to stare at Cooper Kupp twice a year.

Williams isn't a good fit for the direction our offense is trending. Although we were in zone a lot last year - an area where Williams excels - we played a lot more man or man-adjacent concepts on crucial downs. And Williams is a liability in man at this point. We still need to address the nickel corner spot. One of the beat writers - maybe Maiocco? - said he thought we might see Moseley and Ward as the starting outside CBs, then have Moseley move inside and Thomas come in for three-receiver sets. That's a reasonable approach, though I still think we need to add another CB or two.

I'd be fine with taking another chance on Verrett on a low value, incentive-heavy contract. On that sort of a deal, he's worth the risk. And we need to look at corners in both FA and the draft. Bryce Callahan is also a guy I'd consider. He had a bit of a down year, but he was asked to play outside a lot and not in the slot, where he excels. Shouldn't be very expensive.

[CrimsonCrew]

The whole Jimmy thing may be another big blunder by this regime.

It isn't getting any better.

Hard to say because so much information is floating around that likely isn't true or just pure speculation.

I'm more with Maiocco's opinion in that they just aren't getting any decent offers and they are stuck with him until he gets a clean bill of health and can be released or maybe traded.

The 9ers just don't have any leverage at all so teams aren't falling over themselves to trade for a guy that can't stay healthy and is now out with shoulder surgery, making 25 million, turnover prone, and has hit his ceiling in terms of what you're getting. Not to mention the fact that teams know you want to unload him.

My guess is unless a QB gets hurt he'll be released soon after the 9ers won't owe him 7.5 million.

You simply can't have him back on the roster without it being a complete mess because you're just undermining Lance's ability to take control of and lead the team. The locker room loves Jimmy because he's best buddies with a lot of them and they've won games together so any sort of struggle Lance has which he will have growing pains you're going to have the locker room grumble and want Jimmy in there.

Even though a lot of fans are freaking out my stance is this is only a fiasco if Jimmy is on the roster taking snaps during training camp.

I think there was a window to move him after the Wilson trade (March 8). There were several days between that occurrence and when the grand jury declined to indict Watson, and that was the time to move him either to the Commanders for what they gave up in the Wentz trade, or to the Colts for something similar. At that point, there just wasn't any realistic expectation for the Colts that they would have a Plan B. Now, they obviously weren't going to give up a first-round pick for him. They may not have even been willing to give up a second. But you've got to move him in that window. That was the opportunity, and they missed it.

Yes, the injury complicated things, and yes, it was not anticipated that Ryan would be available, but it's their job to be on top of stuff like that, gauge the market, and make the best available move. I just can't believe there weren't any offers on the table for Jimmy at all.

[CrimsonCrew]

Hyder coming back on a pretty reasonable one-year contract. Solid move for a guy who can be at least a solid starter/depth piece. I'd still like to add a guy with a little more pure pass rush ability in the draft.

$1.5 million. Very manageable, basically the minimum (I believe vet minimum for him is $1.4 million) for a solid depth piece like Hyder. I'd prefer he's not starting, but we know he can if we need him to.

I was hoping we could re-sign Hyder once Seattle released him. We need another edge rusher, Hyder is a known entity, and if he can just approach his 2020 performance with us (11 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) that would be a huge bonus for us at only $1.5M. Plus I'm assuming that the team would have consulted with Kris Kocurek whether he wanted Hyder back and if Kocurek said yes, that's good enough for me.

Hyder kind of got lost in the mix last season. The Hawks are also transitioning to a 3-4. So them letting him go isn't all that surprising. Still a good depth piece.

Yeah, Hyder's contract made cutting him a logical move for the Hawks. He's got the size to maybe hold up at 3-4 DE, but you're paying him too much to do that. Sound move for both teams, and I'm just happy to see the Niners getting a little more quality depth at a position of some need.

[Pattersonca65]

Well the offseason is a success. Dontae "The Barnacle" Johnson has re-signed.

In slightly more positive news, Jordan Willis also returning, as I figured he might. Adds another depth piece at DE, and a guy who still has a bit of upside with elite physical tools. And, of course, two of the biggest STs plays in franchise history.

No word on contracts that I've seen, but I'm assuming they're both near the minimum.

I would like to see Key back if it is possible

I would too but the fact that he has met with the Lions and the Jaguars indicates that they have interest in him. If there is a bidding war, the Niners don't have a lot in the piggy bank to compete. They may feel that they can find a cheaper DE in the draft.

[Pattersonca65]

Key still hasn't signed yet. Obviously we don't want to overpay and would have to fit in with whatever the 49ers have budgeted for him. But if the financial amount is right, I wouldn't mind seeing him back

[CrimsonCrew]

Key still hasn't signed yet. Obviously we don't want to overpay and would have to fit in with whatever the 49ers have budgeted for him. But if the financial amount is right, I wouldn't mind seeing him back

For the right money, I'd take Key back of course, but we're pretty deep at DE at this point with Bosa, Ebukam, Hyder, Willis, and Omenihu. Ford is technically still there, too, though I'm not expecting him to take the field, of course. I'd still like to add a guy with pass-rush upside in the second or third round of the draft, but we're pretty flush with mid-level talent at the position at this point.

[Samurai]

K'Waun Williams signs with the Broncos. I'm not overly surprised since I figured other teams would likely pay more than we can afford, plus Williams' performance did drop off in the latter half of the season. But I'm not convinced his replacement is best served by one of the guys already on the team so I think we will need to find an affordable free agent. This is critical when we have to stare at Cooper Kupp twice a year.

Williams isn't a good fit for the direction our offense is trending. Although we were in zone a lot last year - an area where Williams excels - we played a lot more man or man-adjacent concepts on crucial downs. And Williams is a liability in man at this point. We still need to address the nickel corner spot. One of the beat writers - maybe Maiocco? - said he thought we might see Moseley and Ward as the starting outside CBs, then have Moseley move inside and Thomas come in for three-receiver sets. That's a reasonable approach, though I still think we need to add another CB or two.

I'd be fine with taking another chance on Verrett on a low value, incentive-heavy contract. On that sort of a deal, he's worth the risk. And we need to look at corners in both FA and the draft. Bryce Callahan is also a guy I'd consider. He had a bit of a down year, but he was asked to play outside a lot and not in the slot, where he excels. Shouldn't be very expensive.

Niners signed Darqueze Dennard. I'm assuming he will be an option for a slot corner to fill the K'Waun Williams role since he is an "in your face" corner but doesn't have the speed to stay with the track star receivers. Can he regain the form from when he was a starter several years ago? Or is he just an insurance policy? My questions: does this mean they aren't interested in re-signing Verrett? Do they still snag a corner in the draft? Or do they look for another safety instead of a corner or in addition to another corner?

[CrimsonCrew]

K'Waun Williams signs with the Broncos. I'm not overly surprised since I figured other teams would likely pay more than we can afford, plus Williams' performance did drop off in the latter half of the season. But I'm not convinced his replacement is best served by one of the guys already on the team so I think we will need to find an affordable free agent. This is critical when we have to stare at Cooper Kupp twice a year.

Williams isn't a good fit for the direction our offense is trending. Although we were in zone a lot last year - an area where Williams excels - we played a lot more man or man-adjacent concepts on crucial downs. And Williams is a liability in man at this point. We still need to address the nickel corner spot. One of the beat writers - maybe Maiocco? - said he thought we might see Moseley and Ward as the starting outside CBs, then have Moseley move inside and Thomas come in for three-receiver sets. That's a reasonable approach, though I still think we need to add another CB or two.

I'd be fine with taking another chance on Verrett on a low value, incentive-heavy contract. On that sort of a deal, he's worth the risk. And we need to look at corners in both FA and the draft. Bryce Callahan is also a guy I'd consider. He had a bit of a down year, but he was asked to play outside a lot and not in the slot, where he excels. Shouldn't be very expensive.

Niners signed Darqueze Dennard. I'm assuming he will be an option for a slot corner to fill the K'Waun Williams role since he is an "in your face" corner but doesn't have the speed to stay with the track star receivers. Can he regain the form from when he was a starter several years ago? Or is he just an insurance policy? My questions: does this mean they aren't interested in re-signing Verrett? Do they still snag a corner in the draft? Or do they look for another safety instead of a corner or in addition to another corner?

I'm assuming Dennard is just a depth piece at or near the minimum. Hopefully we'll add a corner or two in the draft, and our young guys will continue to develop, and he's not on the opening day roster. If he's getting a lot of snaps, it's probably not a great sign for the defense.

[CrimsonCrew]

Lynch told the press today that there are no plans to cut Garoppolo. That's what he's got to say, of course, but I sure hope it isn't true. If no trade market develops after he's healthy, we've got to cut him. If not, we're basically wasting any salary advantage to having a rookie QB, in addition to trading away three premium picks for Lance.

[Jikkle]

Lynch told the press today that there are no plans to cut Garoppolo. That's what he's got to say, of course, but I sure hope it isn't true. If no trade market develops after he's healthy, we've got to cut him. If not, we're basically wasting any salary advantage to having a rookie QB, in addition to trading away three premium picks for Lance.

I'd wager they'll wait until he gets healthy, make one last push to trade him, and release him if nothing bears fruit.

Lynch also said most of their options didn't include Jimmy on their books so it's clear they are banking on having his money and not having him on the team. I think his money is in the equation for Deebo and Bosa which is why they don't feel a huge need to do something right now.

I don't think you can have him on your roster not just for the money aspect but for the locker room aspect as well. Guys are attached to Jimmy and they just went to the championship game with him so you're giving Lance an unneeded mountain to climb to take a leadership role on the team. You don't need guys grumbling in the background about wanting Jimmy when Lance has a bad game and you need to burn the fleet so to speak so guys know to get behind Lance because it's nobody else.

[Dodub]

Lynch told the press today that there are no plans to cut Garoppolo. That's what he's got to say, of course, but I sure hope it isn't true. If no trade market develops after he's healthy, we've got to cut him. If not, we're basically wasting any salary advantage to having a rookie QB, in addition to trading away three premium picks for Lance.

I really hope that they’re being super transparent with Lance and his people while they play this idiotic game. Can you imagine how catastrophic it would be if Lance and his people got fed up and said screw it, trade me and keep Jimmy. If Lance publicly demanded a trade, that would absolutely be the worst thing that happened. We’ve let the world and Jimmy know that he’s not our guy, and then alienated the young talented QB by playing games. That’s why Lance absolutely needs to be in the loop here.