The San Francisco 49ers have some big free agents hitting the market in Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati and Brandon Lloyd and some of those players may sign elsewhere this offseason and it comes as the team may start Carlos Hyde while also considering releasing Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks as Jim Tomsula takes over as head coach.
The 49ers come into the offseason after getting rid of Jim Harbaugh and now Jim Tomsula taking over as head coach. The team and Harbaugh parted ways over differences in how to move forward and now Tomsula has some big shoes to fill. The team has a number of free agents hitting the market this offseason and that could mean some major changes for the 49ers roster. According to Pro Football Talk, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati and Brandon Lloyd all will be free agents and there is a chance that some of those players do not return.
According to ESPN.com, the team may look at releasing Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks as salary cap casualties and those would be two notable names if that happens. Tomsula was promoted from defensive line coach and the front office said that he would bring "continuity" after taking over. Gore has been as consistent as anyone in the NFL during his career, but at the age of 31 it could be time for him to move on. Crabtree comes in after having a disappointing season, as he had 68 catches for 698 yards and four TDs one year after missing all but five games with an injury. Crabtree's numbers were down from his 2012 season, which saw him set career highs with 85 catches for 1105 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Niners like what they have in Hyde, as he is a hard runner with good hands and he comes in after putting up 33 yards this season and one touchdown on 83 carries. Gore comes in after another solid year and he had over 1100 yards and has been as consistent as anyone in the league. The Niners will be making some changes though and players like Iupati, Gore and Crabtree could be gone. Crabtree came back after dealing with an injury last year and had 68 catches for 698 yards and four TDs and that was a disappointment after what he did in 2012.
The team could be in for some major changes, as Pro Football Talk reports that players like Ahmad Brooks or Vernon Davis could be released. Davis had a down season and is getting paid a decent amount in 2015 and he could be a cap casualty, while Crabtree and Gore are heading towards free agency. Gore has been mentioned as a target for the Redskins, as Scot McCloughan drafted him with the Niners. The team has Carlos Hyde and looks ready to hand him more responsibility and that could mean Gore is on his way out.
Harbaugh took over the team after a decade of mediocrity and took them to three straight NFC championship games, making it to the Super Bowl once. The team missed the playoffs for the first time under Harbaugh and they finished just 8-8. Harbaugh dealt with numerous injuries and still was able to keep things together, as the team ranked in the top 10 in defense once again, but the offense was very inconsistent.