NFL Notes: 49ers, Bears, Cowboys, Falcons, & Texans

49ers

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the 49ers are expected to simplify their offense next year in an attempt to get better production out of QB Colin Kaepernick.

Barrows mentions that San Francisco is likely to make a “significant change” and return to the read-option in order to take better advantage of Kaepernick’s legs.

Interestingly enough, Barrows writes that “there was a sense inside the front office that San Francisco’s offense was too clunky in recent years, that it had too many moving parts that bogged it down.”

Bears

• Bears DE Lamarr Houston‘s 2015 base salary of $5.9 million became fully guaranteed on Tuesday. (Joel Corry)

Cowboys

• ESPN’s Todd Archer writes that a contract extension for Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch could have an impact on the Cowboys’ negotiations with impending free agent RB DeMarco Murray this offseason.

Falcons

• During Dan Quinn’s introductory press conference Tuesday, Falcons owner Arthur Blank confirmed that GM Thomas Dimitroff still has final say over free agency and the draft
• Scott Pioli will continue to report to Dimitroff moving forward.
• Quin will have final say over the 53-man roster.

Texans

• The Texans have hired Pat O’Hara as offensive assistant and promoted Anthony Pleasant to a defensive assistant. (Mark Berman)