The San Francisco 49ers had an offseason that featured some high profile moves and some low key changes. ESPN went through every team and listed out the boldest move, and it should surprise nobody that the Chip Kelly hire is listed as the 49ers boldest move.
There certainly was not a lot to take from the 49ers offseason that might be considered more bold than hiring Chip Kelly. I’ve put together a list of the 49ers offseason transactions. It is not exactly a huge list of moves compared to previous years, but there are some notable additions and changes. [Insert joke about waiving Jordan Devey]
It will be interesting to look back at all these transactions a year or two or more from now. Chip Kelly will likely be the make or break of this offseason. But aside from that, when we’re looking back at this team a year from now, or even two or more years from now, the quarterback decision could very well prove to be the boldest decision of the offseason. If Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert end up panning out, it will be that coupled with the Chip Kelly hiring that sees this thing turn around. At the same time, if neither Kaepernick or Gabbert works out with Chip Kelly, it will be a notable setback.
Yes, DeForest Buckner, or Joshua Garnett, or whomever could prove to be a huge rookie addition. And maybe that flips a given unit. But would anybody really expect anything other than Chip Kelly or the quarterback decision being the boldest decision of this offseason?
Coach
January 14: Hire Chip Kelly, coaching staff
Internal roster transactions
January 7: Sign Colin Kelly to reserve/future contract
January 7: Sign K Corey Acosta, WR DiAndre Campbell, DT Kaleb Ramsey, LB Marcus Rush, DT Garrison Smith to reserve/future contracts
February 22: Waive TE Brian Leonhardt
February 23: Sign TE Garrett Celek to 4-year extension
February 24: Sign DT Quinton Dial to 3-year extension
March 2: Sign RB Shaun Draughn to 1-year extension
March 8: Sign ILB Ray-Ray Armstrong to 1-year extension
March 8: Tender OL Jordan Devey, ILB, Michael Wilhoite
March 11: Sign K Phil Dawson to 1-year deal
March 21: Sign DT Ian Williams to 1-year deal
April 4: Sign Tony Jerod-Eddie to 1-year deal
April 4: Jordan Devey signs exclusive rights tender
May 2: 49ers exercise 5th year option on Eric Reid
May 4: Michael Wilhoite signs RFA tender
May 6: Waive OG Jordan Devey
May 6: Waive K Corey Acosta, RB Kendall Gaskins, QB Dylan Thompson
May 15: Jarryd Hayne announces retirement
External free agents added
January 21: Sign WR Eric Rogers to 2-year deal
March 9: Sign QB Thad Lewis to 1-year deal
March 17: Sign OL Zane Beadles to 3-year deal
Draft
1 (7) DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon
1 (28). Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
3 (5) Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
4 (35). Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
5 (3). Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
5 (6). John Theus, OT, Georgia
5 (35). Fahn Cooper, OT, Ole Miss
6 (32). Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech
6 (36). Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
6 (38). Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
7 (28). Prince Charles Iworah, CB, Western Kentucky
Undrafted Free agents
WR Bryce Treggs, Cal
WR Devon Cajuste, Stanford
OL Blake Muir, Baylor
OL Alex Balducci, Oregon
OL Norman Price, Oklahoma
DL Demetrius Cherry, Arizona State
DL Darren Lake, Alabama
ILB Wynton McManis, Memphis
OLB Jason Fanaika, Utah
OLB Lenny Jones, Nevada
S Jered Bell, Colorado
K John Lunsford, Liberty