Jimmie Ward
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (3) warms up before the team's NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Columbia, S.C. Kinlaw was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
49ers make 2 trades, end up with DT Kinlaw, WR Aiyuk

By Josh Dubow Apr. 23, 2020 10:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch watches his team warm up for NFL football's Super Bowl 54 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami. "You never stay the same," Lynch said at the scouting combine. "You're either getting better or getting worse. We're into getting better. It becomes trickier with less draft equity and things of that nature, but we've got a lot of good players that are part of us moving forward as well." (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
49ers open to trading back in 1st round for more picks

By Josh Dubow Apr. 20, 2020 08:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch watches his team warm up for NFL football's Super Bowl 54 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami. "You never stay the same," Lynch said at the scouting combine. "You're either getting better or getting worse. We're into getting better. It becomes trickier with less draft equity and things of that nature, but we've got a lot of good players that are part of us moving forward as well." (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
49ers seek payoff in draft from Buckner trade

By Josh Dubow Apr. 16, 2020 12:22 PM EDT

After NFC title, Niners have two first-round draft picks

By The Associated Press Apr. 15, 2020 10:26 AM EDT
13, 31. SAN FRANCISCO (15-4) LAST SEASON: Niners staged remarkable turnaround in coach Kyle Shanahan’s third year. Team earned top seed in...

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) gets away from Cleveland Browns linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. Coach Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals went 5-10-1 last year, but they're a popular pick to improve sharply this year. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Diabolical division: NFC West looks loaded for another year

By Greg Beacham Mar. 24, 2020 07:16 PM EDT

AP source: 49ers agree to 1-year deal with Travis Benjamin

By Josh Dubow Mar. 24, 2020 03:01 PM EDT
The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent receiver Travis Benjamin. A person familiar with the deal says the...

ARCHIVO - En esta foto del 15 de 2019, el quarterback Tom Brady de los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra de 2019 saluda al público al final de un juego ante los Bengals de Cincinnati. (AP Foto/Frank Victores, archivo)
Key additions and subtractions for NFC teams in free agency

By Barry Wilner Mar. 20, 2020 05:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead, left, and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) react to a play against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Santa Clara, Calif. The defending NFC champion 49ers signed Armstead to a five-year contract worth up to $85 million on Monday, March 16, 2020, to keep him off the open market and then immediately agreed to a deal to send Buckner to Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
49ers do best to keep NFC title winning roster intact

By Josh Dubow Mar. 18, 2020 08:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland. The Browns opened a unique free agency period by placing a second-round tender on running back Kareem Hunt, who played eight games last season after returning from an NFL suspension. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL bars player and team personnel travel in free agency

By Barry Wilner Mar. 16, 2020 06:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead, left, and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) react to a play against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Santa Clara, Calif. The defending NFC champion 49ers signed Armstead to a five-year contract worth up to $85 million on Monday, March 16, 2020, to keep him off the open market and then immediately agreed to a deal to send Buckner to Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
49ers lock up Armstead, plan deal for Buckner

By Josh Dubow Mar. 16, 2020 05:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans' quarterback Marcus Mariota warms up before the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed on a contract with free agent Mariota to provide an experienced backup behind starter Derek Carr. A person familiar with the deal said Monday, March 16, 2020, the Raiders reached the deal with the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
The Latest: 49ers safety Jimmie Ward gets 3-yr deal to stay

By The Associated Press Mar. 16, 2020 12:01 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch watches his team warm up before the NFL Super Bowl 54 football against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
49ers tune out criticism following Super Bowl collapse

By Josh Dubow Feb. 06, 2020 03:47 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' DeForest Buckner, front, celebrates his sack of Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes, on the turf rear, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Latest: A sellout for Super Bowl, but with a twist

Feb. 02, 2020 03:40 PM EST

A Miami-Dade police officer patrols outside of the Hard Rock Stadium before the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs 2/2/2020

Feb. 02, 2020 02:50 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead speaks during a media availability for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
49ers rewarded with patience with Ward, Armstead

By Josh Dubow Feb. 01, 2020 11:36 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws during practice for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Chiefs, 49ers go through final Super Bowl practices

By Dave Skretta Jan. 31, 2020 05:09 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws as he warms up during practice, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in Coral Gables, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
49ers' flexibility will prove vital in Super Bowl vs. Chiefs

By Josh Dubow Jan. 31, 2020 01:48 PM EST

Graphic compares team stats for 49ers and Chiefs and predicts the winner of the Super Bowl; 3c x 2 1/2 inches;
Chiefs-49ers: Toughest Super Bowl to pick in years

By Barry Wilner Jan. 30, 2020 01:48 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) covers a kickoff return during the NFL NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Super Bowl features speed worthy of Olympic relay team

By Josh Dubow Jan. 29, 2020 03:28 PM EST

A San Francisco 49ers fan wears a mask of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo while tailgating at Levi's Stadium before the NFL NFC Championship football game between the 49ers and the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers 1/19/2020

Jan. 19, 2020 04:05 PM EST