The San Francisco 49ers are officially entering their post-Harbaugh era as the team announced the hire of Jim Tomsula has their head coach. After seasons of success, the 49ers were left out of the playoff picture this year and are now begin forced to pick up the pieces and figure out the best ways to improve. According to Tomsula, that begins with quarterback Colin Kaepernick while a slew of important players have their futures put in question.
According to Tomsula, he wants Kaepernick to start having fun again while getting back to what he is good at. Kaepernick got some of the blame when it came to the 8-8 season in San Francisco despite having thrown career-highs in both passing and rushing yards. Tomsula wants Kaepernick to start running the ball more while general manager Trent Baalke admits the quarterback is transitioning at this point in his NFL career.
"Every player at some point in their career goes through this type of transition, and it's going to be no different for Colin," Baalke said, via the team website. "But we're confident we can go out and hire a very competent staff on the offensive side to not only schematically put him in the best possible position for success but also individually develop him through the fundamentals. He's still a young player. There's still a lot of growth that he's going to endure over his career."
Hiring Tomsula for head coach is not the only work the 49ers must do this offseason. Several of their key offensive players are in need of a new contract while others are looking for a pay raise. Both Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore will be unrestricted free agents come March and the 49ers must decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers in this year's market.
Crabtree and Gore have both stated they intend to return to San Francisco next year despite their roles on the team being reduced in 2014. Crabtree found himself as the third receiving option for Kaepernick, something he was less than thrilled about. Meanwhile, Gore led the team in rushing, but is well aware that Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter are on the team to replace him. There is also the issue of Vernon Davis wanting a pay raise and likely threatening a hold out if it is not offered.
Tomsula has a lot of work to put in before spring voluntary workouts. Yes, Kaepernick needs work, but none of it will matter if the rest of the roster is not put in place.