NFC Notes: 49ers, Panthers, Rams

49ers

• SI’s Albert Breer mentions that 49ers LB Fred Warner could command $16 million or so per year as part of a long-term extension. 
• Breer adds that DE Nick Bosa could also bring in upwards of $30 million a year next offseason “if he regains his rookie form.“
• Breer also notes that having a quarterback on a rookie contract will be a godsend for the team and will allow them to continue to build a competitive roster around third-overall pick Trey Lance.
• Per Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald, the 49ers will pick up an additional $1.1 million in cap space after processing C Weston Richburg‘s retirement following June 1. He’ll still count for $3.5 million in dead money in 2022. 

Panthers

After an injury-marred 2020 season where he injured as many body parts (3) as he had games played (also 3), Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey talked about changing the famously relentless way he trains earlier this year. After some more time to think about it, however, it appears McCaffrey has backed off that thought. 

“The last thing you should do whenever bad stuff happens is overcomplicate and overthink,” McCaffrey said via the Athletic’s Joe Person. “I’ve been playing football since I was 7. I’ve had a lot of success in my career. I’ve never missed a game in my life until last year.”

McCaffrey sprained an ankle then separated his shoulder the last two games he appeared, then tweaked his quad while trying to return from the shoulder injury. As the centerpiece of Carolina’s offense, he touches the ball a ton, but he isn’t worried about injuries as he heads into 2021.

“Sometimes it happens. It’s happened with players that play 25 years in the league. It happens with perennial, All-Pro, Hall of Fame quarterbacks (who) have missed years. Running backs have had torn ligaments and came back and been the MVP in the league. It’s just something that happens that gets talked about a lot because it’s something to talk about,” he said. “But I’m just sticking to my Ps and Qs. I know how to play this game at a high level. I know how to train, I know how to take care of myself. … As much as I would have loved to prevent those, sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes freak stuff happens. But I’m completely moved on to this year. I feel great. My mind’s good. My body’s even better, and I’m fired up.”

• Per Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald, the Panthers will gain an additional $3.55 million in cap space now that it’s after June 1 for the release of S Tre Boston. He will still count $2.66 million on the cap in 2022. 

Rams

Rams HC Sean McVay said so far he is happy with what he has seen from second-round WR Tutu Atwell, but would not commit to him being the team’s punt returner.

“He’s done a good job so far. You can see a lot of the things we liked looking at his film throughout the course of his career at Louisville,” McVay said, via Rams Wire. “He’s come out here and done a good job trying to pick things up. There’s a lot of information that we’re throwing at him in a short amount of time, but could definitely feel that speed. We’ve got a lot of guys that are potential candidates to be punt returners for us and we’ve got a long time to figure that out, but been pleased with Tutu so far, for sure.”

• The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue confirms the Rams are out of the trade market for Falcons WR Julio Jones for now. She says the Rams did inquire but talks didn’t progress much further than that. 
• Should Jones’ price fall, Rodrigue doesn’t rule out the Rams re-entering the picture.