Golden Nuggets: What’s next?

Despite what went down Sunday, the 49ers had a great season. It may have ended on a sour note, but that doesn’t change the fact that they exceeded almost all expectations. How many people honestly thought that they would make it to the Super Bowl this time last year? So now it’s time to move forward. The 2019 season is over, and the 2020 offseason has begun. Here’s some significant dates to look forward to over the next few months:

February 23 - March 2: NFL Scouting Combine

March 18: Free agency begins

April 23-25: NFL Draft

April 27: Players from the newly re-formed XFL are allowed to begin talks with the NFL

As far as the team is concerned, there are reports that they are prioritizing extensions to Shanahan, Lynch, and George Kittle. I think DeForest Buckner’s extension will follow shortly after, and with Joe Woods reportedly taking the Cleveland Browns’ DC job, Shanahan also has to find a new Defensive Backs coach. If you include the need to bring back priority free agents like Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward, I would expect that it’s going to be a busy offseason.

On to those links...

• Thank You, 49ers (Gilbert Brink, 49ers Webzone)
• Browns set to hire Joe Woods as defensive coordinator (Charean Williams, Pro Football Talk)
• 49ers host wild after party in Miami following 2020 Super Bowl loss (Alex Didion, NBC Sports)
• 49ers would like to re-sign Arik Armstead, but don’t believe they can afford his price, per report (David Bonilla, 49ers Webzone)
• Kyle Shanahan Absorbs a Gut Punch on the Sidelines of Super Bowl LIV (Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated)
• For 49ers, Tears Fell but Confetti Didn’t (Kalyn Kahler, Sports Illustrated)
• Five missed opportunities from 2020 Super Bowl that will haunt 49ers (Brian Witt, NBC Sports)
• 49ers’ George Kittle, DeForest Buckner eager to start ‘Legendary Revenge Tour of 2020’ (David Bonilla, 49ers Webzone)

Around the league...

• 2020 NFL Power Rankings: Way-too-early 1-32 offseason poll (ESPN)
• Fabiano’s way-too-early 2020 fantasy rankings (Michael Fabiano, NFL.com)
• 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay’s second prediction for Round 1 picks, including Chase Young (Todd McShay, ESPN)
• 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Five quarterbacks go in Round 1; Chargers, Bucs, Vikings all land franchise passers (Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports)
• Three-round 2020 NFL mock draft 1.0: Dolphins pass on Tua (Chad Reuter, NFL.com)
• Panthers release Greg Olsen; TE to visit Bills, Redskins (Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com)

... I have spoken