Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Friday, January 24th, 2025
49ers expected to hire Robert Saleh after latest Jaguars development
“According to league sources briefed on the coaching search, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to land the top target of their defensive coordinator search, the man who in 2017 established the system the 49ers have run ever since,” The Athletic reported.”
Hutchinson: How the 49ers can fix their interior offensive line
“That answer might be in house, with a cheap deal for Ben Bartch. He was a revelation there in a brief game-and-a-half stint before a high ankle sprain, and there was an unstated recognition in house that he elevated them. A reasonable answer at left guard would be Bartch and a rookie, maybe a first-three-round pick who could start at guard with upside to play tackle.
Armand Membou, anyone? The Missouri product is an absolute force and should test incredible well at the combine. While he played tackle, he might project more as a guard in the immediate term.
The 49ers have historically not valued guards highly, and their only first-round tackle selection was Mike McGlinchey, but Membou is a rare case of a guy who could play guard immediately and move out to tackle whenever time is up for Trent Williams, or if McKivitz can’t cut it.
If they want to go the free agency option, Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts is a leading option. Trey Smith is perhaps the greatest guard in the game, but if the 49ers want to spend at one position, and it comes down to guard or center, you would expect they would look at center….Drew Dalman, the Stanford product whose dad, Chris, played center for the 49ers, has been a stud for the Atlanta Falcons and is the clear, if not only option there.”
Ranking the 49ers’ free agents: How will teams judge Dre Greenlaw’s value? (paywall)
“How much should the 49ers pay for a backup running back? That’s the question they’ll have to answer with Mason, 25, the lone restricted free agent on this list. If the 49ers want him back, they’ll have to give him a qualifying offer before the new league year begins in March.”
49ers great Joe Montana’s old football injuries mess with his golf game (paywall)
“They went deep in the playoffs the past two years, and that wears on you,” he said. “Obviously, they weren’t able to keep everyone healthy. … Look at our seasons: ’82 was a flop. It’s going to happen to everyone, you’re not going to be in it every year. The Chiefs are an anomaly.
“It’s really hard to stay on top. The 49ers made it to a couple of Super Bowls and unfortunately didn’t win. They’re not Buffalo yet. I think they’re going to be fine.”
Montana specifically pointed to the injuries to running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Dre Greenlaw as derailing this past season. The loss of McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Montana said, added to the burden on quarterback Brock Purdy.
Montana didn’t weigh in on Purdy’s impending contract negotiations, but he did endorse Purdy as the 49ers’ quarterback of the future.
“He’s going to be fine,” Montana said. “He makes great decisions. Someone probably needs to talk to him and settle him down. When you start forcing things, it’s hard.
“It seemed like Brock was feeling pressure to make plays because of the injuries. It’s hard to see everything on TV, but sometimes I didn’t even see receivers in the picture. To me, that’s forcing it.”
49ers interview Brant Boyer for special teams coordinator; Nick Sorensen won’t be retained
“Boyer has been the Jets’ special teams coordinator since 2016. Before that, he served as the Indianapolis Colts’ assistant special teams coach from 2012 to 2015.
As a former NFL linebacker, Boyer played from 1994 to 2004 for the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns.”
“Morrison (6-0, 190) missed much of the 2024 season due to a hip injury suffered in October. He finished the year with 20 tackles, four pass breakups, and no touchdowns allowed in six starts. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks posted a 58.4 NFL passer rating when targeting him.
While the deadline to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft has passed for most players, Morrison has until January 24 due to Notre Dame’s participation in the National Championship Game.
“Unfortunately, Morrison suffered a season-ending injury early this college football season,” Tate continued. “Assuming he declares, Morrison has all the tools with size, length, and reactive quickness to make a long-term impact for a secondary filled with young, promising prospects.”