Why Not Keeping the 49ers Nucleus Was Trent Baalke’s Biggest Mistake
There is growing talk Trent Baalke and his days as 49ers GM are numbered, and his biggest error was not keeping the nucleus of a hugely successful team.
As 49ers fans endure the longest losing streak in franchise history, speculation is mounting that general manager Trent Baalke is nearing the end of his tenure.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport recently told KNBR that head coach Chip Kelly is safe in his job, but Baalke is not:
"Trent Baalke might be in some danger. That will play itself out. I know Trent has said himself, this falls on him, and if they go 3-13, 2-14 or whatever, and he’s said what he’s said, it’s tough not to point the finger at him especially when he’s already pointed the finger at himself."
If Baalke does end up losing his job then, looking back, he should view his biggest mistake as a failure to keep together the nucleus of a team that had been to the NFC Championship game in three of the four seasons Jim Harbaugh was in charge.
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The obvious and undoubted turning point for a franchise that is now firmly back in the NFL’s basement, the 2015 offseason, was pivotal not just for the departure of Harbaugh, but for the talent the 49ers allowed to walk out the door.
Throughout his time in charge of the 49ers’ personnel, Baalke has been steadfast in his commitment to not overpaying players entering free agency – though the contract handed to Vance McDonald on Friday may indicate a shift in thinking.
And in 2015 that saw San Francisco lose guard Mike Iupati – seen as one of the best run-blockers in the league – and wide receiver Michael Crabtree to the Cardinals and Raiders respectively.
Meanwhile running back Frank Gore was not re-signed as the 49ers put their faith in Carlos Hyde.
The Niners also lost Justin Smith and Patrick Willis to retirement, and the value of that nucleus has been clear for all to see as the offensive players that departed have continued to succeed while San Francisco’s defense has plummeted from a top-10 unit to one of the worst in football without the seasoned veterans lost to retirement.
While Gore is evidently not the same player he once was, the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher is within striking distance of his ninth 1,000-yard season and first since joining the Colts. In addition, he has moved up to eighth on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list.
With Hyde’s durability in question – he has yet to complete a full 16-game season – Gore could still have been a valuable asset to the 49ers, even at the age of 33, as part of what looked a strong one-two punch in the two tailbacks’ only season together in 2014.
The benefit Iupati and Crabtree would have had is more evident.
Iupati helped Arizona to the NFC title game last season while Crabtree has been a revelation in Oakland, producing his best play since the 2012 campaign and racking up 1728 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in nearly two seasons.
Baalke is perhaps less at fault for the losses on the defensive side of the ball.
Willis’ retirement was out of the blue – the 49ers had prepared for Smith’s departure by drafting Arik Armstead – while Baalke could do little to anticipate the off-the-field problems of defensive lineman Ray McDonald or the stunning concussion-related retirement of linebacker Chris Borland – whose 2014 rookie season had people debating how San Francisco would get him, Willis and NaVorro Bowman on the field at the same time.
Aldon Smith’s various off-the-field issues eventually tied the 49ers hands and they were forced to release him. However, there is an argument that Smith and Willis, particularly the latter, may have stuck around had Baalke not signed off on the hire of Jim Tomsula as Harbaugh’s replacement.
That theory is open for debate, but what is not is the value of keeping a nucleus intact, something the 49ers’ division rival Seahawks have demonstrated.
Seattle was a younger team than the 49ers during their coinciding rises in power, but the Seahawks have been committed to keeping hold of the majority of the stars from the team that won Super Bowl XLVIII.
Since 2013, Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril have all signed contract extensions, moves that have kept one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history firmly intact.
Similarly Seattle has not hesitated in tying down quarterback Russell Wilson as well as receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, with the trio developing quickly in recent seasons to help the Seahawks become one of the better passing offenses in the league.
The Seahawks have benefited from the hugely impressive strides Wilson has made since his NFC title game duel with Kaepernick, with the Seattle signal-caller developing into a far superior quarterback.
Part of the reason why Wilson has demonstrated such growth is that he has been able to maintain his relationship with his receivers and his head coach Pete Carroll.
Seattle’s defense has also profited from the same kind of continuity, which – with the chaos that has enveloped the franchise in recent times – is not something that has been enjoyed in San Francisco.
And, if Baalke is removed from his post, then his replacement should look to the Pacific Northwest for an example to follow as to how build a roster and to maintain one.
Next: Jets vs. 49ers: Previewing Week 14 for San Francisco
If the 49ers find a general manager who has a better understanding of the importance of continuity, then the fans can afford to have some hope for the future following two extremely trying seasons.