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Why the 49ers Were Wise to Avoid These 5 Free Agents

By Akash Anavarathan

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) against the New Orleans Saints works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) against the New Orleans Saints works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Quarterback Mike Glennon

It was obvious coming into NFL Free Agency that the 49ers needed a quarterback. After QB Colin Kaepernick had opted out, the 49ers didn’t have a single one on their roster.

John Lynch didn’t make the mistake of signing an unknown in QB Mike Glennon, rather signing a proven veteran in QB Brian Hoyer.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Over the last two years, Glennon has only attempted 11 passes. Think about that for a second, the player that has barely seen live action in the last two years is going to make $15 million over the next three years. 

Standing at 6-foot-6, the 27-year old quarterback, has spent four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his time there, he started in 18 games, completed 59.4 percent of his throws for 4,100 yards.

None of these number validate the 3-year, $45 million deal that he just signed with the Chicago Bears. 

On the flip side, the 49ers signed a 31-year old veteran quarterback in Hoyer. His deal was for 2 years, $12 million, which is a much more manageable number.

Hoyer, based on his contract and numbers, was the smarter option for the San Francisco 49ers at this time. Glennon might have the potential upside to be a starter in the NFL, but the risk that’s associated with signing him was extremely high.

Lynch was smart to avoid Glennon, even with the desperate need for a quarterback.

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) in action against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) in action against the Oakland Raiders during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Cornerback A.J. Bouye

CB A.J. Bouye was a marquee free agent heading into 2017 who was going to get a huge deal on the open market.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, as they so often do, decided to sign him to a 5 year, $67.5 million contract. The Jaguars decided to make a player that only has 18 career starts, the 7th-highest paid cornerback in the league.

Bouye, 25, made 11 starts for the Houston Texans in 2016, stepping in after injuries in the secondary. He had 63 tackles and 16 passes defensed, but only one interception. For his four-year career, he only has six interceptions.

Just to put it in perspective, there were four players in 2016, that had six interceptions or more. 

These are the contracts that can potentially set a rebuilding team further back in its’ mission to come back to relevance.

The 49ers have a need for a shutdown cornerback, with CB Tramaine Brock aging and DB Jimmie Ward potentially moving to free safety.

But with that said, it was smart of John Lynch to avoid Bouye at this price tag for someone that’s only been relevant for one season.