The 49ers learned their lesson.<\/p>\n
Last offseason, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan left nearly all business until the last minute. Free agency<\/a>, the NFL Draft<\/a>, big-time contract extensions<\/a> \u2014 all were efforts in brinksmanship, brought on by a mix of hubris and exhaustion from three straight NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance.<\/p>\n It showed in offseason training programs, training camps and the regular season, too, resulting in six wins.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t agree with everything the 49ers have done this offseason, but I can\u2019t fault the team\u2019s conviction and execution of what is a clear-cut plan.<\/p>\n While jettisoning veterans and replacing them with rookies isn\u2019t a particularly effective way to improve your team, removing distractions and fostering early engagement can, perhaps, offset that.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s what the Niners are doing.<\/p>\n Signing Brock Purdy to a five-year contract extension<\/a> was the most significant move of this transitional offseason. They followed that move on Friday by signing perennial All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner to a three-year contract extension worth a reported $63 million on Monday<\/a>. Add in a George Kittle extension last month<\/a>, and the Niners wrapped up all their major business before the start of OTAs next week.<\/p>\n What a welcome change.<\/p>\n What a necessary expedience.<\/p>\n There will be plenty of other moves and adjustments, but larger issues won\u2019t cloud such decisions this year. You won\u2019t have Shanahan worrying about (and\/or sprinting through the facility to fix) a star player\u2019s contract while trying to install his offense, which will have at least three new starters and a dramatically different feel without Deebo Samuel in the fold. Robert Saleh has his work cut out for him as the team\u2019s fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons \u2014 there might be as many as seven new starters on that side of the ball \u2014 but having Warner around to be a coach on the field, a big dog for the young pups to learn from, is critical. And Warner can be all-in, knowing his future is secure.<\/p>\n The Niners\u2019 roster might not be good enough. Somehow, that all-important thing\u2014overall talent\u2014is being glossed over right now.<\/p>\n But the Niners will not be done in by a lack of concentration.<\/p>\n Which brings us to the biggest gift the 49ers received this offseason.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the millions of dollars Purdy left on the table to ensure a stress-free contract negotiation.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the rest of the NFL overthinking Mykel Williams\u2019 game to the point that, in my apparently unique opinion, the most single most talented player in the draft fell to pick No. 11.<\/p>\n