I'm not saying the 49ers are going to be good in 2017. Hell, they might not even be good in 2018. All I'm saying is that the team is finally moving in the right direction with their coach and GM hire, along with all their recent free agent signings.
So far, the 49ers have signed Wide Receivers Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, DeAndre Carter, and Aldric Robinson, Quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Tight End Logan Paulsen, Kicker Robbie Gould, Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell, Cornerback K'Waun Williams, and Outside Linebacker and ex-Superbowl MVP Malcom Smith. It is also pretty clear that players are not afraid to sign with the 49ers. Yes, they overpaid some free agents, but most of them signed to a team that had no signed quarterback for 2017.
49ers fans need to be relatively happy with the free agent signings so far, except maybe the quarterbacks. At this point, Brian Hoyer will be the starting quarterback for 2017 with Matt Barkely backing him up. The 49ers are sure to add at least another QB in free agency and the draft, but at this point they have a bridge quarterback starting in 2017.
There were tons of rumors about Kirk Cousins being traded to the 49ers, but that is looking unlikely at this point. Kirk Cousins asked Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder to trade him, because he is clearly not happy with the situation in D.C. Snyder refused, leading many to assume that he is still holding a grudge against Kyle and Mike Shanahan after they were fired from the team (some say the Shanahans were the source of the leaks berating Snyder). Cousins recently agreed to sign the franchise tag, meaning he will make $23.94 million in 2017. This does mean that he can now be traded, although that seems unlikely.
The most likely scenario is that Cousins plays for the Redskins in 2017, and leaves for the 49ers in 2018 during free agency. The Redskins could tag Cousins again in 2018, but that would mean they would potentially have to pay him $33.52 million, which would never happen. If the Redskins and Dan Snyder were smart, they'd realize that Kirk Cousins is a lost cause, and that they should trade him now to get the most out of him, as next year they'd get next to nothing. According to a Sporting News report, Kirk Cousins has told people "I'm going to be a 49er in 2017 or 2018". It doesn't take a genius to see Kirk Cousins is going to leave at some point.
Regardless of what happens to Cousins or who starts under center for the 49ers in 2017, the organization is finally headed in the right direction. While it might take a few years to become a powerhouse again, the future looks brighter than the dismal last couple of years in San Francisco.
