The San Francisco 49ers have lost Patrick Willis and Chris Borland to retirement this offseason and that could lead the team to add a linebacker in free agency and names like Lance Briggs, Erin Henderson, Rolando McClain and Brandon Spikes are potential options for Jim Tomsula as he takes over for Jim Harbaugh in 2015.
Willis retired after dealing with injuries, while Borland stunned many by hanging things up after a promising rookie season. According to ESPN.com, Lance Briggs is a target for the team, as the Sacramento Bee reports that San Francisco could be interested in signing him to a contract. The report says that Briggs is also a target for the Buccaneers and that could be an option for the linebacker after he played for coach Lovie Smith in Chicago.
Briggs was previously a target for the Niners back in 2008 and according to ESPN.com, they lost a draft pick for making comments about him while he was still under contract with the Bears. Briggs is over the hill a bit at age 34, but he could be a very solid option to come in and handle things after Willis and Borland retired. Briggs is a reliable player and he could be a low cost, high upside option for the 49ers after he missed five games at the end of last season with a groin injury.
Comcast SportsNet in Chicago first reported about the interest in Briggs and he has spent 12 years in the league and now could end up with a new team after playing for the Bears. Briggs made nearly $5 million in base salary last season and the Bears do not appear interested, as they have signed Mason Foster to a deal. Briggs has been productive when healthy and the Niners need some stability at linebacker with their two main options retiring. Briggs has missed 11 games over the last two years and that could be one of the main factors in him getting signed or not.
Pro Football Talk reports that the 49ers are also interested in Erin Henderson, who was not in the league last season after being released by the Vikings. The report says that Henderson had a workout with the Chiefs after the season, but he did not sign and now the 49ers could be an option. The 29 year old dealt with drunk driving issues and he could be an option due to his versatility, as he can play both in a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. Josina Anderson at ESPN.com reports that the 49ers scheduled a visit with Henderson last week.
Rolando McClain could be a target for the 49ers, but right now his status is a bit up in the air. John Clayton at ESPN reports that McClain is facing a four game suspension and that could keep teams from signing him this offseason. McClain had a comeback season with the Cowboys, but the team is not expected to re-sign him. The 49ers were reportedly interested in Mason Foster, but he ended up signing a deal with the Bears. Brandon Spikes is also on the market and the Bills have shown interest in re-signing him.