Shanaplan Podcast: If Jason Verrett leaves in free agency, how will the 49ers replace him?

With the NFL’s 2021 salary cap reportedly set at $182.5M, the 49ers will have nearly $24M to spend in free agency. Given that figure, Kyle Posey and I debated if San Francisco will bring back Jason Verrett after his resurgent season.

If Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch chose to go in a different reason because the financials don’t work out, who do you think they could target at cornerback in free agency? Kyle and I drop a few names and debate a veteran option that the 49ers can buy low. He’s played at a high-level in the NFL and with some of the top defenses in the NFL. Based on his performance last season, the player we discussed should come at a bargain for the 49ers.

On Monday, MMQB’s Albert Breer reported the following about veteran quarterback Sam Darnold:

“As for teams to watch, three in particular are interesting to me: Chicago, San Francisco and Washington. Two of the three, Chicago and Washington, were playoff teams in 2020, aren’t in striking distance to draft one of the top guys and may not think developing a rookie, given where they’re at, is the best play. San Francisco would be even more fascinating. Darnold’s a strong fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and trading for him would make the Niners six years younger, and $20 million cheaper at the position in 2020. The Niners like Jimmy Garoppolo, as we’ve said here, and won’t move off him without a clear upgrade. Could Darnold be that?”

Kyle and I debated what Darnold could bring to the 49ers’ offense and if he’s an upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo, given their 2020 salary cap figures.

The last thing we touch on is Trent Williams’ contract and what that could potentially look like. He’s the most important free agent for the 49ers, and given the fact that the team can’t franchise tag him, the 49ers’ front office is at the mercy of Williams if they do intend to re-sign him.

Give the full episode a listen:

Other mini-topics we discuss:

• Will the 49ers make a run at right guard Kyle Long, who is making a return to the NFL?
• Will linebacker Lavonte David’s new extension have any impact on Fred Warner’s?