SF 49ers: 5 offensive free agents Mike LaFleur takes to NY Jets
By Peter Panacy
While Robert Saleh is expected to purge some SF 49ers defensive free agents to bring to the Jets, Mike LaFleur might bring offensive players, too.
It was big news to see former SF 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh getting his chance with the NY Jets as their head coach. Saleh deserved it, and he’ll be a big reason why Gang Green should be expected to enjoy a massive turnaround from laughingstock status to a potential playoff contender in the next few years.
But buried slightly below Saleh’s hiring in New York was the news he’d be purging assistants from Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan’s staff, namely San Francisco’s former pass-game coordinator, Mike LaFleur, who’ll serve as the Jets’ new offensive coordinator.
LaFleur is expected to implement an offensive system not unlike that of Shanahan. The complex nature of Shanahan’s West Coast-hybrid offense will require some know-how. And just like how Shanahan onboarded many of his former players to the SF 49ers to teach the system way back in 2017 when he took over his job, one might expect LaFleur to do much of the same in 2021.
The Niners have nearly 40 players set to hit one form of free agency or another, and a number of them are of the offensive ilk.
Armed with over $70 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, LaFleur and the Jets probably wouldn’t mind purging these five pending San Francisco offensive free agents this offseason to build up that side of the ball.
No. 5: SF 49ers Center Ben Garland
Some could argue the large amount of cap space New York has could put it in the bidding war for perennial Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams, who’ll command top dollar this offseason. But with second-year tackle Mekhi Becton already in place and an inside track for Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft, a Williams-to-Jets move doesn’t seem overly likely.
Instead, a player like No. 2 center Ben Garland would make a lot of sense and even on the cheap, considering he’s coming off a season-ending calf injury.
Garland filled in admirably well enough for San Francisco in relief of its own starter, Weston Richburg, late in 2019 and early in 2020. And while Garland isn’t exactly a well-known proven upgrade over anyone the Jets have on their current roster, he does understand the nature of the offense.
And in the Shanahan offense LaFleur will likely adopt, it’s crucial for the center position to call out protection. One could argue this spot is the most important along the SF 49ers offensive line.
As a tutor, Garland would make a lot of sense for New York’s other linemen.