The San Francisco 49ers were reportedly interested in guard Andrew Norwell, but it would appear he is coming off the market. The free agent is leaving the Carolina Panthers to join the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The five year contract is worth as much as $66.5 million, with $30 million fully guaranteed.
The 49ers had the cap space to do such a deal and multiple reports of interest, but nothing came of it. It could be the 49ers thought that was a little too rich for their blood. Or maybe they think a guy like Quenton Nelson will be available when they pick at No. 9. And of course, it’s also possible Norwell saw a better situation in Jacksonville, with a team potentially closer to a Super Bowl.
It could have been for a host of reasons, but either way, the 49ers remain in the market for a guard. Joshua Garnett is due back from injury, but we don’t know yet if he will fit into the 49ers zone blocking scheme sufficiently. He re-worked his body type, but he has a lot to prove this offseason.
And even if Garnett does pan out, the 49ers still need another guard to book-end center Daniel Kilgore. Josh Sitton and Josh Kline are the two next best options on the market, but the team also could decide to push for someone like Quenton Nelson when the draft rolls around.