SANTA CLARA – When Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch immediately began sketching their plan for the 49ers upon joining the organization together 18 months ago, they went through a lot of different scenarios to address the most pressing concern.
Ultimately, they decided to sign a placeholder at quarterback, Brian Hoyer, and go all-in for their quarterback after their first season together.
Kirk Cousins, who had been tagged as Washington franchise player for a second year in a row, appeared to figure prominently in the 49ers’ future.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“We always knew that was a strong possibility because I didn’t think they were going to franchise him three years in a row, and I thought we’d have a very good chance,” Shanahan said on Wednesday.
“So I think that’s what we knew was a very strong possibility of happening, and I think we fell into another alternative option that was pretty darn good.”
The 49ers’ question at quarterback was answered last season when Bill Belichick called to offer Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers in a trade, asking for just a second-round draft pick in return.
The 49ers locked up Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million contract in the offseason. Then, the Minnesota Vikings acquired Cousins in free agency. The regular season opens on Sunday with the 49ers facing the quarterback who appeared destined to join Shanahan in Year 2 of San Francisco's rebuild.
San Francisco 49ers
Shanahan was offensive coordinator under his father, Mike, when Washington selected Cousins in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. In two seasons together, Cousins started just four games. But Shanahan always held Cousins in high regard.
“I have a lot of respect for Kirk and I think he’s in a very good situation and went to a very good place and I’m very happy for him for that with what he’s been through,” Shanahan said. “I’m extremely happy with who we have here and where we’re at and the decision that we made on who to go with before that.”
[embed][/embed]