BEND DON’T BREAK…..THE BANK
On this episode the NBN crew discusses George Kittle’s contact and the Wide Receiver group projections. Initially they had planned to recap the daily team pressers, but the first topics turned into heated debates. Watch the whole episode to get the guys opinions, it’s very entertaining.
KITTLE IS DONE, SO WHO IS NEXT
Now that George Kittle’s contract is complete and he will be with the team for several more years, we need to look at who is the next in line for a contract extension. The ten paid team members who will be unrestricted free agents next year are CB Richard Sherman, LT Trent Williams, DT Soloman Thomas, FB Kyle Juszczyk, S Jaquiski Tartt, RB Tevin Coleman, WR Kendrick Bourne, NCB K’Waun Williams, RB Jerick McKinnon and CB Ahkello Witherspoon. There will be several other UFAs to begin next season, but at this point these are the players that need further discussion.
Due to the COVID pandemic the salary cap for next year is uncertain other than we know it will be at least 175 million. In a previous article I discussed some cuts and trades that I think are necessary in order to create cap space to rollover for next season. For now, since we don’t know what the team will do on that front, I just want to look at who is next for an extension. Given the 10 players above I would suggest the number one priority should be LT Trent Williams. The fact that we had the opportunity to acquire Williams for minimal draft compensation still boggles my mind, but the fact is he’s a 49er now and we should be working to keep him that way. After Williams, there is another Williams would should become the priority and that’s our NCB K’Waun. The current roster does not currently have a single viable NCB that will be with the team next season. I know Sherman is a leader in the secondary, but the team should not be paying for mentors, they need players and, in my opinion, he has lost a step so if he wants to return for lower contract, then I would bring him back next. The last priority signing should be WR Kendrick Bourne, this man has put in the work and the results show. He should be retained and I don’t think his asking price will be over the top.
THE REMAINING FREE AGENTS
The remaining UFAs are depth pieces and the only player that I almost added above is OC Ben Garland. He has held his own while Weston Richburg has been continuously injured. As far as restricted free agents go, there are only four of them and I could definitely see the 49ers utilizing tenders on all of them depending on how they produce this season. I expect the QB Nick Mullens will return on a tender, while TE Dwelley, S Harris and RB Wilson Jr will have to work for their return. Exclusive Rights players will likely all return as it is only OG Brunskill, CB Moseley and DT Givens. While Brunskill and Moseley have earned higher salaries, the team owns their rights and with the projected salary cap, the will have one more year before they can get paid.
BRING ON THE CARDINALS!
