Five in House Free Agents the 49ers Should let Walk
NFL free agency is right around the corner with Mar. 15 being the kickoff date for it. The 49ers have plenty of decisions to make with 21 unrestricted free agents bound to hit the market.
By now, they will have figured out which players they are going to try to re-sign and which they are fine with leaving. Jimmy Garoppolo is the most obvious one that is going to walk, so he will not make this list. The rest are players the 49ers could potentially consider bringing back or simply just should have their relationship end with that player.
Here are the five in house free agents the 49ers should let walk.
RT Mike McGlinchey
You could argue that Mike McGlinchey is the second most obvious free agent that is going to walk, but I don't think it is an automatic lock. The 49ers could feel pressed at a pivotal position with right tackle being vacant. And it's not like the options in free agency to replace him are dramatically better than him. McGlinchey just might be the best free agent right tackle out there. Despite his flaws and his criticisms, sometimes overblown, he is still a fine starter.
However, given how much his market value is going to increase due to attention from other teams, the 49ers would be wise to just let him walk away. I think this is best for both sides to just separate. Sometimes it is needed for two sides to thrive. The fact that the 49ers let him play out the final year of his deal speaks volumes about their thoughts on him. It means they think they can do better, which they are more than valid for. The only issue is it will be a tough task to find a suitable replacement immediately.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
It has been fun to watch the development of Azeez Al-Shaair. 2020 was a first glimpse of him taking some steps, then in 2021 he made an incredible leap to being an impact player. For a second, it seemed like he was the second-best linebacker on the 49ers and not Dre Greenlaw. Al-Shaair continued to be sweet in 2022 but didn't really have the same dominance as in 2021. Greenlaw and being dinged up caused that. Now that he is a free agent, the 49ers have to let him walk.
They already chose which linebacker they wanted groomed and paired with Fred Warner when they gave Greenlaw his extension back in September. Having three impact linebackers is a luxury, not a necessity. Engaging in a bidding war or handing him a deal isn't good business, especially when the 49ers need more help in the pass rushing department. Al-Shaair will likely see a sweet contract from the Texans with DeMeco Ryans there as head coach.
S Tashaun Gipson
One of the more impressive seasons from a 49ers player in 2022 was Tashaun Gipson. He really came out of nowhere, especially when you consider he was signed late into training camp. What looked like a signing just to get by the preseason due to Jimmie Ward's hamstring injury turned into lightning in a bottle. Gipson was so good that Ward never saw his starting role return as unfair as that may be.
But now, the 49ers should let him walk. I don't believe Gipson will make it back-to-back seasons of lightning in a bottle again for the 49ers. This is like gambling at a casino and walking away while you're ahead. They should not press their luck with Gipson who could cost them a pretty penny. Besides, the 49ers should be looking for someone long-term here and that is something Gipson doesn't give them.
DE Charles Omenihu
Trading for Charles Omenihu turned into one of the more underrated transactions that the 49ers have made. He gave them quality snaps game after game. The work that defensive line coach Kris Kocurek did with Omenihu to get him to be an effective rusher cannot be overstated. But Omenihu is going to be this year's Arden Key when it comes to free agency.
The 49ers would surely want him back, assuming his domestic violence case doesn't escalate, but only at their relatively team friendly cheap price. Efficient pass rushers can demand a good $5 million to $10 million in salary and for multiple years. I just think the 49ers will be able to find someone else who is better or almost as good for a fraction of what he would cost.
CB Jason Verrett
Re-signing Jason Verrett will be the cheapest deal of all in house free agents. Coming off another season ending injury with a torn Achilles, Verrett is just low risk high reward going forward. With that said, it's time to move on from him. The hype and hope of having him regain a healthy form and then be able to give the 49ers ample snaps is a pipe dream.
Verrett just continues to get these severe injuries. He literally has terrible luck with it. While it's incredibly unfortunate, the 49ers can't keep going down this well of injury prone players. This factors into why they always have a handful of players missing time on Injured Reserve. Plus, you have to wonder if it is even best for Verrett to come back. It isn't just the physical toll injuries and rehabbing takes, but the mental one. Leave Verrett in the past and feel fortunate for 2020 being his last elite season. This experiment must not continue.
