The only thing left that matters for the the 2016 San Francisco 49ers is really quite simple: Who gets fired, and how quickly does it happen?
The longer CEO Jed York waits to get his ducks in a row and formulate a legit search committee — which should include Steve Young and other prominent names — the longer 49ers are holding their bleak future hostage. It’s time to turn the page to 2017.
Going with the consensus view that GM Trent Baalke will lose his job, the 49ers should want to end the tenure as soon as possible and start the rebuilding process before the postseason begins. External consultants like Young, Bill Polian, Louis Riddick and others should be paid to give their opinion on what the 49ers should do next, and which existing NFL front office leaders can provide the direction the franchise needs.
The Yorks may feel like they owe Baalke the courtesy of an entire season because he helped the team get to a Super Bowl, and they don’t want to fire him during the holiday season. But timing is everything here. The 49ers don’t want to get burnt in the carousel process because they needed to see the results from Week 16 and 17. Guess what, Jed? The season is a disaster no matter how it finishes.
What to do with Chip Kelly is an entirely different discussion. The read on his future has been unclear. If the 49ers finish 1-15, it’ll be only the 10th time since 1978 an NFL team has accomplished such futility. Colin Kaepernick himself said the culture needs to change. But Kelly was asked to cook for a village without a stove. NFL insiders Jay Glazer and Ian Rapoport have reported Kelly’s future is safe.
Here’s the kicker and why the timing of these firings are so crucial: Candidates such as Green Bay’s Eliot Wolf, Seattle’s Trent Kirchner or New England’s Nick Caserio might not contractually be able to take over a new job until after their teams are eliminated from the postseason, which means this new GM wouldn’t get the first pick in the coaching market, which means they might not want to get stuck with Kelly or the Yorks in San Francisco.
The goal for Jed York right now is to make the 49ers a more attractive destination. Because the perception — and the reality once you see it up close and personal — is this franchise had one quick trip to the top with Jim Harbaugh, but otherwise has mostly been running in place in 15 seasons. Young made it a point to say how many owners are concerned with making money over winning, and the 2016 season has highlighted that narrative in Santa Clara.
Honestly, what more could York possibly need to see to make up his mind? Every single storyline is the exact same.
The run defense? They now own the franchise record for most yards allowed — 2,468. Todd Gurley and the Seahawks still remain on the schedule.
Kaepernick? A decent NFL quarterback the first two quarters, a hoax in the second half — with a contract that does not match his talent level.
Kelly? He’s gone from a maniacal deviant in Philadelphia to a lovable loser in San Francisco. His systematic offense requires certain players to fulfill roles — none of which the 49ers have. In an effort to show he was reformed, he refused to fight for certain personnel in the offseason, but that may come back to bite him in the end.
Baalke? He erroneously built a football team without an offense. He also concocted a Ponzi scheme of continually drafting players with knee injuries, only to see none of them pan out. Talent on this team exists in very small pockets. Every decision post Harbaugh has been incorrect and Baalke’s been tied to nearly all of them.
Again, Jed York, what more could you possibly need to see? This is your franchise and you need help in the rescuing effort. Get the ball rolling. Now.