NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Cowboys

49ers

Former NFL GM Michael Lombardi said on his “GM Shuffle” podcast that he’s more convinced now that Tom Brady will be playing elsewhere, and mentioned that he has a “strong hunch” the 49ers are in play. 

“We have to qualify what were the odds going back,” Lombardi said, via WEEI.com. “I would say in October I thought he would stay with the Patriots, 95/5 — favoring the Patriots. I think by December I was at 75/25. I think January after that loss I went to 60/40, now I am 30/70 that he’s gone. Maybe even 20/80. I don’t get the vibe that it is going to happen.

“I do know this. I think he has a strong interest — and he said it the other day to Charlie Weis, and I respect what he said, ‘Nobody knows nothing’ and he’s right — but, I have a strong hunch, call it an instinct, call it something through the grapevine that San Francisco is in play. … I say it is 20/80 that it happens, 20 percent it happens, 80 percent it doesn’t. But, San Francisco is in play.

“I think it is going to make the first week of free agency some of the most fascinating conversations about team-building that you’re going to see.”

• Field Yates of ESPN reports that 49ers DL DeForest Buckner had his fifth-year option value adjusted from $14.36 million (defensive end value) to 12.378 million (defensive tackle value).
• Yates notes that this could be an important distinction for Buckner when it comes to extension talks and a potential franchise tag.

Cardinals

• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports mentions the Cardinals as a potential fit for free agent WR Amari Cooper.
• Josina Anderson reports that Tennessee OLB Darrell Taylor concluded a Pre-Draft visit with the Cardinals on Friday. 

Cowboys

Michael Gehlken notes that the following Cowboys players earned performance bonuses for the 2019 season:

1. S Xavier Woods: $403,298
2. WR Michael Gallup: $244,710
3. CB Chidobe Awuzie: $235,732
4. S Darian Thompson: $225,869
5. TE Blake Jarwin: $212,222
6. CB Jourdan Lewis: $211,014

• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports mentions the Cowboys as a potential fit for free agent WR Breshad Perriman.