Niners Nation
Kawakami: The 49ers are set up for an all-in 2026 — can they get Justin Jefferson? (paywall)
After cleaning out a big chunk of their depth chart and payroll last March, the 49ers don’t have to hesitate or guard their bank account this offseason. After falling a few star players short against the Seahawks in two lopsided games in the last few weeks, the 49ers have the target right in front of them for 2026.
They can go and go. Which they owe to the players who pulled them through the season — and surprised even Shanahan and Lynch by winning 12 regular-season games and knocking off the Eagles in Philadelphia in the wild-card round.
The 49ers owe it to themselves after they endured all the slashing and budgeting last March and jumped ahead of schedule by making that playoff run.
So they can try to validate all of this by flying to the top of the potential trade market and making the Vikings an offer they might not be able to refuse for multiple-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson to top off a true Super Bowl-level roster.
Yes, Justin Jefferson. It’s not out of the question. And right now, the 49ers have the gravity to try to bend everything their way in this situation.
(This idea was first suggested to me by ESPN’s Nick Wagoner on my podcast, and I was intrigued the moment I heard it. Jefferson and Christian McCaffrey probably are the two ideal playmaking fits for a Shanahan offense, and that’s enough to wonder how many first-round picks the 49ers should offer for Jefferson. I’d say at least two.)
Crosby seems to be on his way out in Las Vegas and he’s long been one of the 49ers’ favorite players. But if the 49ers can only get one of the two superstars, I’d circle Jefferson, because the 49ers’ need for a game-breaking receiver is greater than for another elite edge, and because Jefferson is easily one of the best 10 players in the league and, at 26, should remain there for many years to come.“
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan all but certain Gus Bradley will replace Robert Saleh (paywall) ““I’m not going to say it’s a real wide net,” Shanahan said. “Gus is the obvious one to everyone. And (he) is to us, too. Gus would be the main internal candidate. I feel very fortunate to get Gus and feel great about that.”
The 49ers must satisfy the Rooney Rule by interviewing two minority candidates in person before making a hire. Last year, Shanahan made a misstep by announcing assistant Klay Kubiak would be promoted to offensive coordinator before the 49ers interviewed other candidates.“
Hutchinson: The 49ers don’t sound like they want to conduct a real DC search (paywall)
“This is an era of football in which defenses have started to dictate the terms of engagement.
Mike Macdonald has given the 49ers hell. He has assistants who could be hired, or at least interviewed to pick their...
