49ers exercise team option on CB K’Waun Williams

K’Waun Williams is coming off the best year of his career, and will return to the 49ers.

The 49ers’ early offseason moves have them in position to bring back largely the same roster they took to the Super Bowl. They officially announced Thursday they’d be picking up the club options on the contracts of fullback Kyle Juszczyk and cornerback K’Waun Williams.  ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday reported Juszczyk’s option would be picked up.

Williams was a no-brainer move for San Francisco. He was exceptional as the nickel corner again last season while posting a career-high two interceptions, and earning his highest overall season grade with Pro Football Focus.

Bringing back as many pieces as possible to the NFL’s best pass defense would be an easy call for any front office. Williams’ base salary is just $2.15 million, and his cap hit comes in at $3.2 million. That’s a steal for a reliable slot corner who plays 58.6 percent of the snaps.

There’s a chance, as there is with Juszczyk, that the 49ers get an extension done for Williams sooner instead of later. He’s still just 28-years old and starting to play his best football.

There are several bigger dominoes to fall this offseason, but getting Williams back ensures the 49ers will have their second-best corner roaming the secondary again in 2020.

49ers roster recap: Questions surround wide receivers going into 2020

The 49ers have big question marks looming all over their group of wide receivers in 2020.

While the 49ers pieced together a good enough group of wide receivers to reach the Super Bowl a season ago, the position’s stability is still in question heading in to 2020.

With Emmanuel Sanders set for unrestricted free agency and a slew of unproven playmakers across the depth chart, San Francisco has some work to do to restore their receiving corps to a championship level.

With free agency and the draft still ahead in the offseason, let’s look at what the 49ers are dealing with at receiver:

Deebo Samuel, 24

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Samuel became a go-to weapon for the 49ers’ offense late in the season. He was very good as a receiver, and churned out historic numbers on the ground. The big question with Samuel is whether there’s another level for him in Year 2. If he takes a step up – he can be the team’s No. 1 receiver. If he moves laterally or takes a step backward – they’ll need a significant upgrade at the other starting receiver spot.

Dante Pettis’ offseason mission will determine fate in 2020

The 49ers aren’t giving up on Dante Pettis yet, but this offseason is crucial to his future with the club.

Dante Pettis was supposed to be a major player in the 49ers’ passing attack in 2019. Instead he found himself relegated to the bench for much of the year, and a healthy scratch in the Super Bowl.

Now he heads into a crucial, career-altering offseason with another chance to carve out a role in a fluid 49ers’ receiver room.

Despite the fact Pettis played only 9 snaps after Week 10, and none from Week 12 through the postseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan is leaving the door open for a turnaround from the third-year receiver in 2020.

“I think he took a documented step back in his second year (and) I’ve been around a lot of players who have done that,” Shanahan said according to Matt Barrows of the Athletic. “The players I’ve been around — which is a ton — they go one way or the other. They keep being like that, then they usually filter out. Or it’s a wake-up call for them and they come back and you kind of see it in April. It’s like, ‘OK, this guy treated January to April so much different than before.’ Then it usually changes their career.”

Pettis may have fallen victim last offseason to some complacency after a strong rookie campaign where he caught 27 balls for 467 yards and five touchdowns. He was supposed to step in and be a No. 1-type of target for Jimmy Garoppolo. Instead he saw his snaps and numbers dwindle, following his rookie year with an 11-catch, 109-yard, two-touchdown campaign.

He’s hardly the first 49er in recent years to back up a good rookie season with a poor sophomore effort. Safety Adrian Colbert, a seventh-round pick in 2017, finished his rookie season well and looked to be the starting free safety going into 2018. He struggled through most of his second season before an injury landed him on Injured Reserve, and he was cut before the 2019 season.

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had a similar path, but went the opposite direction. While he struggled down the stretch and was benched in the playoffs, Witherspoon played well for most of the year. Shanahan is hoping for a Witherspoon-style bounce back from Pettis this year.

“Ahkello, with the way he came back last year (in) the offseason, I mean, he looked different,” Shanahan said per Barrows. “And you can tell he was on a mission. And that’s why the first few games of the year before he got hurt, he was playing on an extremely high level. And that’s what I expect to happen with Dante.”

Getting a big third year from Pettis, a former second-round pick, would do wonders for a 49ers receiving corps that’s gotten some significant investments over the last two years. Pettis was a second-round selection in 2018. Deebo Samuel also went in the second round in last year’s draft, and Jalen Hurd was taken one round later. There’s a chance they wind up drafting another receiver this year in a deep class that some analysts are calling the best draft ever for that position.

Pettis playing well, combined with Samuel, a healthy Hurd, Kendrick Bourne (who’s a restricted free agent) and a couple other players could help the 49ers roll out a dynamic receiving corps that elevates the offense to a new level in 2020.

If he can’t bounce back in Year 3, he’ll find himself taking the same route Colbert took.

The good news for Pettis is the door is open for his return to prominence in the 49ers’ passing game. Shanahan is just waiting for him to walk through it.

49ers roster recap: Running back depth in flux going into free agency

The 49ers roster could look quite different at running back going into training camp.

The 49ers’ backfield in 2019 featured three players that ran for more than 500 yards. Keeping that backfield intact going into the 2020 season seems like an easy call from a team-building standpoint, but San Francisco is going to have some decisions to make regarding their running backs as part of a host of moves that’ll determine how many of their key free agents they’ll be able to re-sign.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers offense rode their terrific run game to the Super Bowl last year, but a quick assessment of their backfield going into the offseason shows that big changes are more likely than the entire group returning.

Raheem Mostert, 27-years old

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Mostert in 2019 emerged as an essential piece of the 49ers’ backfield moving into 2020. That probably wasn’t the role the team envisioned for him when they signed him to a three-year deal last offseason, but the special teams ace undoubtedly left the season as the team’s No. 1 option at running back. His ability to contribute in multiple facets will make him a valuable member of the roster going forward. Mostert should see a consistent role in the run game though after averaging 6.0 yards per carry on 171 attempts over the last two seasons.

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49ers roster recap: Where 49ers’ QB situation sits going into 2020

The 49ers have a pretty solid quarterback situation going into 2020.

The 49ers have a ton of tough decisions to make on their roster heading into the 2020 season. Perhaps the best news for the team’s future is that quarterback doesn’t appear to be an issue for them next season.

They have three players who could (and should) all be on the roster again unless an unforeseen trade scenario materializes. Here are the quarterbacks on the 49ers’ roster and where they stand going into next season, as well as a look at what’s next at the position for San Francisco.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 28-years old

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Garoppolo is going to be the 49ers’ quarterback going into 2020 barring something completely extraordinary happening. He’s coming off his first full season as a starter where his only major flaw was throwing the eighth-most interceptions. He also led the team to the Super Bowl and was one or two plays from winning MVP of that game. It stands to reason Garoppolo will be better next season, which means San Francisco will continue being in Super Bowl contention.

49ers add free agent defensive lineman

The 49ers scooped up a veteran defensive lineman in early free agency.

The 49ers on Wednesday added another free agent to their early offseason acquisitions. They announced the signing of veteran defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks.

Westbrooks got into the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Rams. He spent five seasons with the Rams, and played in 67 games with 11 starts. The 29-year-old racked up 79 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, 9.0 sacks.

San Francisco may need to add some help along their defensive line with several players set to hit free agency. Westbrooks was a free agent for all of last season after getting released by the Raiders on final roster cuts. He’ll contend for a job on the 49ers’ defensive line on the 90-man roster, with a legitimate chance to make the club depending on how he performs on the field and how the offseason shakes out for the 49ers.

49ers announce three more free agent signings

The 49ers added more depth to the trenches on their 90-man roster.

The 49ers on Monday continued their early offseason additions with the announcement of three free agents signings. They officially added center Jake Brendel, defensive lineman Alex Barrett, and offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith.

Brendel’s signing was originally reported Saturday by NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. He’s been in the NFL since signing with Dallas as an undrafted rookie in 2016. He spent three seasons between 2016 and 2018 in Miami, where he played in 21 games with three starts. Brendel bounced from the Broncos to the Ravens before landing with the 49ers.

Barrett was most recently a member of the Oakland Raiders, who signed him after his time with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football ended when the league folded after eight weeks. The Lions signed Barrett as an undrafted free agent in 2017 while 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek was there. Barrett played in two games as a rookie, but didn’t record any stats.

Perhaps the most intriguing name among the trio is offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith. He’s listed at 6-7, 345 pounds and spent time with the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2018 before playing with the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF. The Dolphins scooped him up during the 2019 preseason once the AAF folded. Jones-Smith played at both tackle spots with more than 30 starts at the University of Pittsburgh.

All three players will contend for roster spots as members of San Francisco’s 90-man roster.

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49ers make another offseason signing with journeyman center

The 49ers added another free agent signing to their early offseason.

The 49ers on Friday added to their list of offseason additions. They signed journeyman center Jake Brendel according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media.

Brendel will join the 49ers’ 90-man roster. Interior offensive line depth may be something San Francisco aims to bolster this offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys originally signed Brendel in 2016 as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. He signed with the Dolphins after the Cowboys cut him, and spent time on Miami’s active roster. He spent the entire 2017 campaign with the Dolphins, then played in four games with three starts in 2018.

Injuries ended his 2018 campaign early. Brendel went on to sign with the Broncos and Ravens before landing with the 49ers.

Brendel is the 15th free agent to sign with the 49ers in the early portion of the 2020 offseason. He joins the group of 14 signings San Francisco announced Thursday.

49ers TE Garrett Celek announces retirement

Garrett Celek wraps up ‘Celek Time’ after 2019 season.

49ers tight end Garrett Celek on Friday announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons via Instagram.

I can’t thank the 49ers organization enough for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams and all of the countless relationships I’ve made along the way, especially my Tight Ends, thanks for supplying me with endless stories and memories,” he wrote. “Niner Faithful, thank you for cheering me on these past 8 seasons, love y’all, Celektime is clockin out ✌🏼”

The 2019 campaign was a particularly tough one for Celek, 31, who entered the year as the team’s presumed No. 2 tight end.

Offseason back surgery forced him to spend the offseason on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He returned in Week 10, and saw minimal action in five games before going back on IR with more back issues. Celek also missed the final game of the 2018 campaign with a concussion.

San Francisco signed Celek as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He stuck with the team through four head coaches, and along with Joe Staley was one of two remaining members of the team that played in Super Bowl XLVII.

Celek finished his career with 82 receptions for 1,104 yards and 12 touchdowns. His best year was in 2016 when he hauled in a career-best 29 catches for a career-high 350 yards and three touchdowns. Celek’s career-high in touchdowns came in 2017 during Kyle Shanahan’s first season as head coach when the veteran tight end posted four TD receptions.

The 2019 season was the final one on Celek’s contract, and a return to the 49ers was unlikely with their younger depth at tight end emerging throughout the 2019 campaign.

Jimmy Garoppolo gets strong vote of confidence from Kyle Shanahan

The 49ers aren’t going to cut Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s poor fourth-quarter performance in Super Bowl 54 sparked questions about his viability as the 49ers’ franchise quarterback moving forward. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Thursday skewered rumors of a split with Garoppolo during his post-season press conference.

Shanahan said the loss doesn’t squarely fall on Garoppolo’s shoulders and pointed out that he likely would’ve been the game’s MVP had the team not fallen apart at the end. Then Shanahan explained why he’s optimistic about his quarterback moving forward.

“I think Jimmy is one of the main reasons we got to the Super Bowl,” Shanahan said. “I think he overcame a lot. This was his first year in his career going through an entire NFL season. He still doesn’t have as many starts and stuff as (Browns QB) Baker Mayfield. I think he had a hell of a first year truly playing the position, especially coming off an ACL where you have to fight through that a ton as a quarterback, where your rhythm and everything is not there at the beginning of the year. For him to be like that and to not let the pressure get to him, and to improve as the year went, I think says a ton about Jimmy. I can’t tell you how much I loved coaching the guy as a player and as a person this year.”

Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2018 season, but returned to start all 16 games in 2019. After a slow start, his productivity picked up over the back half of the season, and his comfort in the offense was apparent en route to guiding San Francisco to a 13-3 record and their first playoff trip since 2013.

After throwing just 27 passes in two playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl, questions started piling up about whether Shanahan trusted his quarterback. The importance of those two games certainly magnify Garoppolo’s relative absence in the offense and force fans to search for answers.

However, Garoppolo was among the best quarterbacks in the league statistically during the regular season. His 3,978 yards were the fourth-most ever by a 49ers quarterback. He also finished sixth in touchdown passes and third in yards-per-attempt among all quarterbacks in 2019.

The notion that San Francisco was going to move on from Garoppolo because of a half quarter of football was always ludicrous, but the strong vote of confidence from Shanahan moving into the offseason is a further indicator that he’ll be under center for San Francisco as they try and get back to the Super Bowl in 2020.