Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers
Jeremy Fowler recently broke down the key free-agency moves for each NFL team in
a feature for ESPN. What were his thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers? While the team bolstered the offensive line with Trent Williams’ re-signing and the addition of
Alex Mack and re-signed key players like fullback
Kyle Juszczyk and cornerback Jason Verrett, the ESPN writer sounds like he expected a move to bolster another position.
“The 49ers are up to something at quarterback,” wrote Fowler. “They had extensive talks with (Joe) Flacco, who hit it off with Kyle Shanahan during a visit last week before ultimately choosing Philly.”
San Francisco was also reportedly in the mix for Andy Dalton before the Chicago Bears signed the quarterback. Fowler reports that the team spoke with Mitch Trubisky’s representatives before he joined the Buffalo Bills. It sounds like the 49ers are trying to improve the backup spots behind starter Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed 10 games last season due to ankle injuries and 23 games over the past three seasons.
Fowler adds this nugget: “Rumors persist that Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew II could be in their plans via trade.”
RELATED 49ers Should Trade for an AFC South Quarterback
While “rumors” don’t point to reported interest, it is an interesting statement. Minshew has 20 games of starting experience in his two NFL seasons, has thrown for 5,530 yards with 37 touchdowns with 11 interceptions during that span, and is scheduled to earn $850,000 in case salary this season. That’s a bargain for an experienced backup quarterback.
Minshew started eight games last season, but the Jaguars are expected to draft Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick.
As for the possibility of upgrading from Garoppolo, there aren’t too many choices right now outside of a possible pipe dream or two.
“Watson would be one (option), of course,” Fowler added. “But he’s hardly a slam dunk to be dealt. So, for now, San Francisco can focus on adding to the quarterback room and adjust from there.”
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk feels Jimmy Garoppolo will use scrutiny as motivation
By David Bonilla
Mar 16, 2021
Jimmy Garoppolo has started in a Super Bowl. His record is 24-9 as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers—including the playoffs. Yet, no matter how many times the team says Garoppolo is expected to be the quarterback in 2021, there remains uncertainty surrounding his future.
Garoppolo missing 23 games over the past three seasons may have something to do with that. He missed 13 games in 2018 after suffering an ACL injury. The quarterback missed 10 last season due to ankle injuries. He has missed nearly as many games with the 49ers as he has won, which has led to many questioning his durability.
Kyle Juszczyk, fresh off re-signing with the 49ers, joined SiriusXM on Tuesday and was asked about his quarterback and the scrutiny he has endured. It’s
49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk feels Joe Flacco could be the perfect mentor for Jimmy Garoppolo
By David Bonilla
Mar 19, 2021
News broke on Thursday that the San Francisco 49ers were hosting quarterback Joe Flacco on a visit. The team is considering him to be a veteran backup for Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed 10 games last season due to injuries. Flacco spent 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before spending a season each with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets over the past two years.
Could San Francisco be Flacco’s final stop in his NFL career? He has a great deal of experience. He’s won a Super Bowl — sadly, against the 49ers — and was named the MVP of the game.
One former teammate, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, is hopeful that a reunion with Flacco might be in the making. He even admits to doing a little recruiting on behalf of the 49ers and says Flacco is excited about the
Daniel Jeremiah feels Sam Darnold could benefit from a fresh start with 49ers
By David Bonilla
Mar 22, 2021
NFL Media’s draft analyst, Daniel Jeremiah, took a look at quarterback fits with NFL teams now that the initial free-agency frenzy is behind us. Obviously, he has Trevor Lawrence going to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 1 overall draft pick. He also expects Zach Wilson to land with Robert Saleh and the New York Jets with the next selection.
That would make current Jets quarterback Sam Darnold expendable. Where does Jeremiah see as a good fit for the former No. 3 overall pick? The San Francisco 49ers.
Jeremiah notes that the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos also make a lot of sense. Still, neither of those teams is as well built to win now
D.J. Jones feels blessed to be back with 49ers, has high hopes for D-line
By David Bonilla
Mar 23, 2021
D.J. Jones feels blessed. He received a nice little pay bump from the San Francisco 49ers after earning $825,000 in 2020. Jones signed a one-year deal that will pay him $3.5 million in 2021.
“I’m speaking from the heart,” Jones told reporters on Tuesday. “I’ve never been disappointed in God, and I follow him in every walk of life, so this is just another step in my journey, so I can’t question him. I’m excited to be a Forty-Niner again, and I’m ready to play, to be honest. It’s been a while. … I’m just ready to play.”
Jones is excited about the team’s potential this season, especially along the defensive front. He feels it is a talented and tight-knit group that may have only gotten better this offseason.
“This group can be as good as it wants to
