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 brains. Jim Schwartz, the man who has historically dominated Shanahan, could be available if he doesn’t get the Browns’ head coaching job. Raheem Morris is available, as is Sean McDermott.
Frankly, I would be stunned if Shanahan doesn’t try and get Morris, unless he feels they’ve settled on Bradley and that it would be disingenuous to interview someone he holds in high regard… which, of course, is bad process.
Here’s another shortlist of mostly young, available assistant coaches of strong defenses, all who are worth of consideration (and some of whom have already received some):
- Karl Scott, defensive pass game coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
- Christian Parker, defensive pass game coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jim Leonhard, defensive pass game coordinator, Denver Broncos (probably goes elsewhere)
- Tem Lukabu, linebackers, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cory Undlin, defensive pass game coordinator, Houston Texans (former pass game specialist & secondary coach with the 49ers)
- Stephen Adegoke, safeties, Houston Texans (former quality control with the 49ers)
If the 49ers are dogmatic in their conviction that they must hire Bradley, that’s their prerogative.
But if they fail to conduct an earnest search? It’s arrogant. It’s lazy. It’s shortsighted. It’s not a responsible way to manage a franchise.
It feels like they’re all tired after a long season and want this process over with.
More than anything, it screams that they think their fundamental views in what makes their defense work are above reproach.
That’s not to say don’t hire Bradley.
But to laugh off the notion of conducting a real interview process after facing the stark Wilks-and-Sorenson realities of what happens when you don’t conduct a robust process?“
Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch hold 49ers end-of-season press conference
“Brandon is a guy that you guys made a big investment into. And I know Kyle, you said that after his injury it was tough to get him in here and get involved, but it’s kind of an unprecedented move for him to forfeit that kind of money. Have you been able to determine why he was so upset, why wasn’t he showing up and any background you can give on that?
JL: “I wish I knew. I can’t help you there. Sorry.”
Has there been a line of communication with him?“
KS: “There was, but not anymore.”
At what point did that snap?
KS: “Well, when I’m coaching, I don’t hang out in the training room at all. So, I don’t see guys much that way. But, I’d say it officially stopped for me when the last time I tried to get ahold of him and couldn’t and then tried a couple more times and still couldn’t, and then that matched everyone else that was trying to get ahold of him and couldn’t. And eventually there’s not much of an explanation because it’s really hard for us and anyone else to understand. That’s why it’s something I’ve never seen in 22 years of coaching. So, it’s unfortunate and it’s confusing because it’s confusing for all of us. But it eventually becomes it is what it is. You try as hard as you can to fix something that you don’t understand, but it’s not like we understand it very well still. But, eventually you understand that it’s not going to change and you’ve got to move on with your football team, which is always the most important thing.”
Will 49ers trade QB Mac Jones? Lynch, Shanahan answers may not be what they seem (paywall)
“And the team’s top decision-makers struck an unsurprising note when asked Wednesday about possibly trading Jones. Their answers could be interpreted as a message to the rest of the NFL: We’ll only trade him if we get a high-end draft pick in return.”
49ers select Trent Williams ‘heir apparent’ in Mel Kiper’s debut NFL mock draft
“I recently moved [Utah OT Caleb] Lomu into my top 25 rankings,” Kiper wrote. “He is really good in both pass protection and run blocking, and his quickness is going to be an asset in the NFL. Could he be the heir apparent for Trent Williams at left tackle? Williams will turn 38 this summer and has just one year left on his deal.
“San Francisco can’t kick the can down the road too much further on its long-term plan. Lomu had 24 career starts and allowed just three sacks during that time — all in 2024.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Lomu allowed eight pressures and zero sacks across 383 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. His 82.1 pass-blocking grade marked a career high, though his 62.0 run-blocking grade represented a noticeable dip from his 70.1 mark in 2024.“
49ers take a different approach in latest mock draft projection
“”The 49ers add a big-time playmaker to their receiving corps,” Decker wrote. “[Louisville WR Chris] Bell is calm and confident at all times. He’s a natural catcher with strong hands and outstanding ball skills, consistently coming down with everything thrown his way.”
Bell (6-2, 220) wrapped up his collegiate career with 151 receptions for 2,166 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, per Sports Reference. During his senior season in 2025, he posted career highs with 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bell earned an 83.3 receiving grade, ranking 20th among all NCAA wide receivers.
“He offers a versatile skill set, capable of playing both outside and in the slot, and has the potential to fill the role Deebo Samuel once played in this offense, providing a major lift to Brock Purdy,” Decker added.“
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