SANTA CLARA – Free agency is a marketplace for veteran castoffs, so it’s not going to cure the 49ers’ mission to get younger and faster.
Next month’s draft can help in that regard. What this week provided was a savvy path to fortify one last Super Bowl push for those high-cost veterans decorating the offense.
That group now includes wide receiver Mike Evans. He will be 33 this season, and that aligns him with other stars in Brock Purdy’s supporting cast – the “Over-30 Around Purdy” fraternity.
Here are 10 things to watch for as the 49ers map out more roster changes under chief cartographer John Lynch:
1. BOSA BROTHERS AT LAST?
Joey Bosa, Nick’s older brother, certainly seems ripe for a family reunion with the 49ers. It was put off last spring as he took Buffalo’s $12.6 million offer, and he played 64% of their defensive snaps (five sacks, five forced fumbles). Even at 31, Joey Bosa would work well in rotation. His first six seasons saw him produce 58 sacks and 129 quarterback hits; his last four seasons delivered 19 sacks and 43 hits.
2. SPEED RUSHER
Bryce Huff’s retirement Thursday further thinned out the defensive end group. The 49ers are putting a lot of weight on the comebacks of Nick Bosa (ACL), Mykel Williams (ACL) and Keion White (ankle). Huff’s speed didn’t translate to a single sack the final 10 games last season, and the 49ers could use their first-round pick (No. 27 overall) to resolve that void for a speed rusher.
Already, 25 edge rushers have changed teams in free agency, none joining the 49ers.
3. TRENT’S RESOLUTION
Left tackle Trent Williams is owed a $10 million bonus March 20, so circle that date as key to contract negotiations that went public three weeks ago. The 49ers can afford to pay $33 million in cash this season to a 38-year-old, 12-time blindside protector and run-game bulldozer.
Seems an odd time to go cheap there, just as it would seem laughable to expect a discount from arguably the savviest businessman of his generation (see: $218 million, more than any non-quarterback in NFL history).
4. TIGHT END CONTINGENCY
George Kittle, in an exclusive interview with this news organization Thursday, said his recovery from Achilles repair is progressing so well that his surgeon, physical therapist and the 49ers’ medical staff are all quite pleased. Because his tear in the wild-card round came higher up his calf, it did not require a more extensive repair, so he’s still aiming for an early-season comeback.
The 49ers still figure to stock up on contingency plans, one of whom is Jake Tonges, the Los Gatos High and Cal product who broke out last season in place of Kittle and received a two-year, $8 million extension this week. With Luke Farrell also on the books, the 49ers can’t budget much more at tight end, but they still need options, and maybe one of their quartet of fourth-round picks helps.
5. LEFT GUARD, ANYONE?
Will seven-time Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio, a California native who has been marooned in Cleveland for 12 seasons, put off retirement? The 34-year-old could join the 49ers’ veteran offensive corps.
Aaron Banks’ exit last spring for Green Bay opened up the left guard spot, and it rotated from Ben Bartch (Weeks 1-2) to rookie Connor Colby (Weeks 3-8) and then Spencer Burford (last 11 games). Both Bartch and Burford are free agents, so Colby is the frontrunner by default at left guard. Adding depth with versatility is Brett Toth, who was inactive in the Eagles’ wild-card loss to the 49ers. Alex Cappa, a Dublin High product, is an eight-year veteran whom the Raiders cut but could help on the interior, too.
6. RUN DEFENSE
Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa’s arrival via trade from Dallas could be a huge addition, especially in the pass rush, as evidenced by his sack of Purdy two snaps into the 49ers-Cowboys divisional playoff game three years ago. But the 49ers need him and more newcomers to improve their run defense.
Helping in that aspect should be Dre Greenlaw’s encore after he strayed last season to Denver; his one-year deal was announced Friday. There’s not much room left for more linebackers, with special teams ace and strong-side linebacker Luke Gifford also returning (two-year deal).
So look for another veteran defensive tackle to join the fray; ex-starters Kalia Davis (Browns) and Jordan Elliott (Titans) left town. Defensive backs’ contact courage also could factor in here.
7. SECONDARY SUPPORT
Nate Hobbs proved a bust in Green Bay but the 49ers gladly are giving him a shot (one year, $4.5 million) on a cornerback corps that totaled just two interceptions last season (both by Deommodore Lenoir). Whether or not 2024 second-round pick Renardo Green gets traded in the next month, the 49ers seem committed to young defensive backs, including safeties Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown and Marques Sigle. Then again, adding an established veteran into the secondary has been done in the past (see: cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Tashaun Gipson).
8. SPECIAL TEAMS NEEDS
The 49ers have re-signed kicker Eddy Piñeiro and long snapper Jon Weeks, but the third member of that special teams collective remains unsigned: 40-year-old punter Thomas Morstead. A handful of options are on the market, including Bradley Pinion, the 2015-19 Niners’ punter.
With Skyy Moore racing off to Green Bay, the 49ers need a new punt returner; in-house options include Jacob Cowing, Junior Bergen, Jordan Watkins, and, with a health risk, Ricky Pearsall.
9. BYE-BYE BRANDON?
The 49ers are under no obligation or urgency to rid themselves of Brandon Aiyuk, who vanished last season amid a seemingly positive comeback from 2024 knee surgery. If the Commanders are willing to sign Aiyuk to a one-year deal to reunite him with his Arizona State quarterback, Jayden Daniels, then why shouldn’t the 49ers try cajoling a draft pick for Aiyuk, even if it’s a seventh-rounder? Voiding his $27 million in guarantees gave the 49ers financial relief, and they’re certainly not operating as if he’s in their plans, other than for a potential trade in the next month.
10. KYLE & JOHN SHOW
Neither Lynch nor coach Kyle Shanahan joined in on Thursday’s media videoconference with Mike Evans and the 49ers’ power brokers haven’t issued any statement on any players, not since Lynch spoke Feb. 24 at the scouting combine.
Shanahan figures to be available at the NFL’s annual meeting March 29-31 in Phoenix, but first he’ll be on the sidelines March 21 coaching in Tom Brady’s flag football event in Los Angeles.
Lynch has made cameos on the 49ers’ in-house videos promoting this week’s signings of Evans and Greenlaw. Perhaps Lynch’s first comments on free agency come next week at his alma mater, as Stanford’s pro day takes place March 18, followed by Cal’s the next day.