John Lynch
FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson 2021 Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Sep. 16, 2020 01:03 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws during NFL football practice in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, Pool)
49ers teammates back Garoppolo after Super Bowl loss

By Josh Dubow Sep. 10, 2020 06:50 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers defensive back Richard Sherman walks on the field during NFL football practice in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, Pool)
49ers aim to use pain of Super Bowl loss for fuel in 2020

By Josh Dubow Aug. 27, 2020 04:05 PM EDT

49ers reload following bitter Super Bowl defeat

By The Associated Press Jul. 20, 2020 04:33 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (15-4) CAMP SITE: Santa Clara, California LAST YEAR: Niners broke through in coach Kyle Shanahan’s...

FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams is shown on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla. After sitting out last season in a dispute in Washington, seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams is excited to start over in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Trent Williams feels rejuvenated by trade to 49ers

By Josh Dubow Apr. 30, 2020 05:30 PM EDT

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 Aug. 3, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots' Tom Brady, left, signs autographs for fans at NFL football training camp in Foxborough, Mass. Tom Brady is an NFL free agent for the first time in his career. The 42-year-old quarterback with six Super Bowl rings said Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020, that he is leaving the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Where will Tom Brady land? Bucs are faves and front-runners

By The Associated Press Mar. 17, 2020 03:31 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 head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks during a news conference after the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Shanahan should have heeded Belichick's Fangio blueprint

Arnie Stapleton Feb. 04, 2020 02:41 AM 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

Hall of Fame Class of 2020, stand on stage at the NFL Honors football award show Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Safeties first: Polamalu, Atwater heading to Hall of Fame

By Eddie Pells Feb. 01, 2020 06:02 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo puts a football hairband during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Marlins Park in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Garoppolo takes lessons from Brady into 1st Super Bowl start

By Josh Dubow Jan. 28, 2020 04:58 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates a win in 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)
Trades play big role in building of Super Bowl-bound 49ers

By Josh Dubow Jan. 24, 2020 05:15 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) leaps over the goal line for a touchdown 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)
49ers impressive turnaround leads to Super Bowl appearance

By Josh Dubow Jan. 20, 2020 07:28 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates after converting a first down against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of the NFL NFC Championship football game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
After cashing in on QB gambles, Niners, Chiefs in Super Bowl

By Eddie Pells Jan. 19, 2020 10:09 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

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2014, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu watches from the bench in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Brownsin Cleveland. First-time eligibles Reggie Wayne and Polamalu are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's modern-day 2020 class. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Wayne, Polamalu finalists for HOF 2020 in 1st year eligible

By Barry Wilner Jan. 02, 2020 07:04 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2009, file photo, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, right, reaches out while attempting a catch under the defense of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Polamalu, Wayne, Willis 1st year eligible for Hall of Fame

By Barry Wilner Nov. 26, 2019 01:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla. A person with knowledge of the situation says Williams has reported to the Redskins, ending his holdout. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, because the team had not announced Williams’ return. He can be kept off the 53-man roster for up to three weeks after reporting.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NFL teams did their wheeling and dealing early this year

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 29, 2019 06:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver. The San Francisco 49ers have raced out to six straight wins to open the season despite lacking a dynamic receiver who could change a game in a single play. So when the opportunity to acquire a player like Sanders presented itself, the Niners didn't hesitate to make a move, giving up a pair of draft picks for a 32-year-old receiver in the final year of his contract. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Undefeated 49ers get measuring stick game vs. Panthers

By Josh Dubow Oct. 24, 2019 08:29 PM EDT