Rookie general manager John Lynch and rookie head coach Kyle Shanahan took over a franchise last year that was coming off back to back losing seasons and looking to complete a full rebuild. In the span of a year, they turned over a majority of the roster, drafted impactful rookies, found their franchise quarterback through a trade, and completed a 5 game win streak that gives them momentum into next season.
The duo’s 1st and most pressing job this offseason will be to work out a deal for Jimmy Garoppolo. In 5 games that he started, he completely changed the 49ers. The offense started clicking and moving the ball. This allowed the defense to up their game because they were not required to be on the field for long periods of time. The team rallied around Jimmy and he took the role of the leader almost immediately after taking the starting job.
John Lynch made his position on Jimmy Garoppolo very apparent in the season ending press conference. He wants to sign Jimmy to a long-term deal so he can be the 49ers quarterback for the upcoming seasons. Pairing Jimmy with Kyle Shanahan was a great decision and John wants to keep that chemistry going after getting a glimpse of what they could do in their limited time together. While Jimmy will be a free agent this offseason, the 49ers have the option to franchise tag him to keep him here if they can’t agree to a long-term deal. But they hope to avoid that and lock down their franchise quarterback so they can focus on the rest of their roster.
49ers Links
No suspension for Goodwin’s hit (Crabtree)
The most important negotiations in the offseason | Jimmy Garoppolo (Wagoner)
Jimmy G is staying silent on his deal | Not talking about his future (Maiocco)
49ers could be a candidate for Hard Knocks (Smith)
With a franchise quarterback, totally agree with Kyle | Learning to win more important than draft spot (Maiocco)
Offseason dates (49ers staff)
The rookies were great and made a huge impact | Rookie review (Barrows)
2018 opponents’ observations (Fann)
9 players signed to reserve/future contracts (49ers staff)
Their best week of the season | Multiple 49ers on team of the week (Monson)
The highest priority on their list | Jimmy’s future a big topic for Lynch/Shanahan (Inman)
We hope to keep him here a long, long time | “Long, long time” (Maiocco)
Lynch not interested in being apart of Hard Knocks (Maiocco)
Of course they do | Team wants Jimmy for the future (Fann)
Jimmy’s contract (Lynch)
Pairing Jimmy and Shanahan sets the team up for the future | Lynch wants Jimmy as his quarterback (Biderman)
Going to be a long process | Attempting to lock Jimmy long-term (Wagoner)
Lynch makes his mission known (Branch)
Lynch reassures the fans (Barrows)
No interest in being on Hard Knocks (Biderman)
Can’t wait to see him lead the 49ers for many seasons | Hoping to lock Jimmy into a long-term deal (Weinstein)
Dominating team of the week (Martin)
Players signed (Biderman)
Let the negotiations begin (Lynch)
Hall of Fame candidates (Williams)
Former 49ers in list of finalists for Hall of Fame (Maiocco)
Unfortunate | Roger Craig denied Hall of Fame chance (Barrows)
John Lynch named finalist (Biderman)
49ers Video
Top rookies (Sacramento Bee video)