Enjoy the playoffs this weekend. On Friday, Robert Saleh completed his interview with the Jets. He’s been a busy man. I still think he ends up with the Lions. Is there a franchise that you want to see Saleh go to?
A Deshaun Watson 49ers trade? Here’s how John Lynch reacted to similar situations
Lynch has not been afraid to make gargantuan offers when premier players at positions of need become available. When the then-Oakland Raiders traded Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears prior to the start of the 2017 season, Lynch said the 49ers worked “aggressively” to land the edge rusher, apparently offering more than the Bears did.
“I continue to (believe that we offered more for Mack),” he said. “That, at times, leads me to believe, were we ever in consideration? I understand the thought of sending him right across The Bay — I don’t know how that factored in — but it is what it is.”
Lynch said the 49ers were also in on trading for Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019 and were prepared to give up two first round-picks for the star receiver, but ultimately found themselves unwilling to part with the second-overall pick that turned into Nick Bosa, who made the All-Pro team as a rookie.
If the Texans make Watson available, the 49ers will come calling, but so will many others. And again: The likeliest scenario is Watson never requests a trade. But if he does, Lynch is going to be aggressive.
Saleh, who has also spoken to the Lions and Falcons this week, joined Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and ex-Bengals coach Marvin Lewis as known candidates to conduct a virtual meeting with the Jets.
Saleh, 41, who along with Bieniemy is expected to attract plenty of suitors this offseason, has been the defensive coordinator in San Francisco since 2017. His defense was ranked No. 2 overall last season as the 49ers advance to the Super Bowl before losing to the Chiefs, 31-20.
This season the 49ers suffered season-ending injuries to defensive stars Nick Bosa (torn ACL in a September win over the Jets at MetLife Stadium) and Dee Ford, along with defensive linemen Soloman Thomas and Ezekiel Ansah, but still managed to finish the fifth best defense in the NFL. The team slumped to 6-10.
Wright: Deshaun Watson with Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers should ‘terrify’ the NFL
Everyone is voicing his or her opinion on the situation in Houston and taking advantage of the hot topic. That includes Nick Wright of FS1, who feels a pairing between Watson and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would be dangerous for opposing offenses.
“The one [trade] that should terrify the NFL — San Francisco,” Wright said on First Things First. “Deshaun Watson in Kyle Shanahan’s offense ... to me, that’s 14-2. You get (George) Kittle back, you get the defensive players back, Deshaun Watson in that offense, to me, that would be worth whatever San Francisco would have to pay for it.”
Is There a Chance Robert Saleh Returns to the 49ers in 2021?
With so many names out there, vacancies will start dropping like flies. Saleh can no longer afford to be choosy, if he ever was, of where he wants to go. He is going to be in a position where he HAS to take a job if he really wants it.
My concern with that is he shouldn’t feel forced to take a job just because. What if he gets hired by the Jets and it is a complete disaster because they are just a dysfunctional franchise? Then he would have tarnished some of his attractiveness of becoming a head coach again. For a guy like Saleh, he only deserves the best situation.
Although, I wouldn’t put it past him to turn a poor situation into something great either. Just look at what he did this past season with the 49ers defense. Saleh should go to a team where he doesn’t have to have that worry of things going south quickly.
If the ideal fit isn’t there, then he should not take it. Run it back with the 49ers one more time in 2021 and take it from there. He will surely be a candidate again.
This one boggles the mind.
After sitting out for an entire season in 2019, Williams arrived to the 49ers and was absolutely dominant. He was the best left tackle in football from my point of view.
He allowed just 19 total pressures and had the best run-blocking grade of any tackle per Pro Football Focus.
Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari was the first-team selection and Garrett Boles of the Denver Broncos got the second-team nod. Williams was third in voting for tackles.
Both Bakhtiari and Boles had solid seasons but Williams was the best in the league and I’m stunned he didn’t make one of the two teams.