49ers
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan found humor in reports linking Mac Jones to San Francisco during the draft.
“I do laugh at … that everyone thinks that they know exactly what I want at quarterback because I thought we had a chance to get the number one free agent quarterback who was going to be on the market in our second year,” Shanahan told Kawakami on “The TK Show,” via Yahoo Sports. “And since we did, people just assume that’s how I would draw it up, which if you draw it up, obviously you’re going to give the guy everything. I do believe that you have to be able to win from the pocket in this league as a quarterback or it will catch up to you. But holy cow, if you can run, it makes playing from the pocket a lot easier because those defenses are going to change and stuff.”
Shanahan notes that one of the things that separated Lance from Jones and the rest of the available quarterbacks was his ability to extend plays, while also noting his ability to make all the throws from the pocket was important and a trait he values.
“I just wanted the element that he could bring. And I wouldn’t have been impressed with the running element if I didn’t believe he could be a quarterback from the pocket. So you’ve got to have that skill set, as I say, to get in the club. But when you have the bonus of running, that’s kind of what I got so intrigued with. They were all good candidates, but it’s just what direction do you want to go and the more time that we put into Trey, the stronger it got and I’ve always been intrigued by that element of the game.”
Rams
- Mike Lombardi said on his “GM Shuffle” podcast that the Rams were engaged in trade talks for WR Julio Jones early on in the process. In fact, Lombardi says Los Angeles was floating the idea of trading WR Robert Woods to an unknown team. Lombardi explains that if the Rams were to get something like a third-round pick for Woods, they could essentially dump his contract and then take on Jones.
- Lombardi adds that this was never a firm offer for Jones and was just “concepts and ideas.” Ultimately, Rams HC Sean McVay decided against pursuing the idea.
- McVay commented on fourth-round TE Jacob Harris taking first-team reps while TE Tyler Higbee is injured: “He’s earned it.” (Jourdan Rodrigue)
Seahawks
When asked by reporters this week about the absence of LB K.J. Wright, veteran LB Bobby Wagner admitted it was awkward not having the linebacker line up next to him.
“Of course it’s awkward,” Wagner responded. “I’m entering Year 10, and I’m used to seeing a particular face, so it’s definitely different. I’m hoping that everything still works out and we’re able to get him back. I think he’s a tremendous player, a tremendous person, someone that anyone would love to have on their team, so we’ll see what happens. I have conversations with him, I think he’s kind of waiting for the right opportunity, and I know he’ll get it because he deserves it. To have a guy that’s coming off probably one of his best seasons that he’s had, it would be a shame if he didn’t end up on a team that he wanted to be on.”
While Seahawks HC Pete Carroll did leave the door open for a possible reunion with Wright, Wagner did admit that he’s preparing for the linebacker to not be with the team next season, citing his confidence in the group that’s currently with the team today.
“Not having him, having a guy like that a playmaker, someone that’s really, really productive—especially these last two years, he’s been very, very productive—it’ll be different, but this is a business, and we’ll figure out what we need to do,” Wagner said. “And I’m very, very confident in our group that we have.”
- The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta explains that Wright returning to the Seahawks really isn’t about money or the cap as much as it’s Seattle wanting to turn over the weakside and strongside linebacker spots over to Jordyn Brooks and Darrell Taylor.
- Seahawks P Michael Dickson‘s extension created $1 million of cap space. (Condotta)
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