Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are already dealing with lots of issues, and they were hit with another big one. The 49ers are dealing with Brock Purdy‘s contract extension. Then there is George Kittle‘s extension issue, where his age factor is playing villain. After solving these issues, they have to focus on drafts and getting a final confirmation for the injured players, like Christian McCaffrey. So many pointers to be checked. But before Shanahan gets to solving them one by one, the 49ers got hit with big news.
An NFL reporter, Aaron Wilson, reported that the 49ers’ Isaac Alarcon was suspended for six games for violating the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy. The offensive tackle Alarcon was a part of Kyle Shanahan’s practice. Per the NFL’s punishment, he will not be able to play the first six games when the upcoming season kicks off.
But do you know that since he was inducted into the league, he has never played a single NFL game? He has remained active in practice sessions only. Though he will face the wrath of being banned from six NFL games, the league has not restricted the player from appearing in exhibition games, practice sessions, and camps.
He joined Brock Purdy’s team after completing four years with the Dallas Cowboys. Isaac Alarcon is actually a member of the International Player Pathway Program. Born in Mexico, he became a part of the league five years ago. But the OT has now been flagged for some fishy behaviour. Even though he has not played a single regular-season game, taking performance-enhancing drugs is a legal crime in any sport.
According to USA Today’s 2022 report, at least 258 NFL players had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and violated the policy. From 2018 to 2022, the NFL saw 82 players who violated the policy. The general statement of the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy says, “The National Football League Management Council and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) (collectively, the ‘Parties’) have jointly developed this Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances (the “Policy”) to prohibit and prevent the use of anabolic/androgenic steroids (including exogenous testosterone), stimulants, human or animal growth hormones, whether natural or synthetic, and related or similar substances.” This policy not only considers players, but also coaches, athletic trainers, and club personnel.
So, the current scenario and the 49ers update tell us one thing. Although the NFL has clearly mentioned different types of punishments, like financial and other disciplinary punishments, some NFL players are not following the rules. That, sadly, means we can’t restrict ourselves to saying NFL players are building themselves on flash and not fire. Well, even though Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers won’t lose much on the gridiron with this punishment, as Isaac only plays in practice sessions, their credibility to play clean football comes under the light of suspicion.
But while this update was coming, Kyle Shanahan received another update. That is to trade their offensive tackle Trent Williams for a Dolphins cornerback.
Kyle Shanahan to acquire a Dolphins CB?
On April 15, Ian Rapoport reported that the Dolphins and Jalen Ramsey are moving in opposite directions after agreeing to part ways. The update came one year after the Dolphins’ cornerback signed a three-year, $72,300,000 contract with the franchise. That’s why Ian Rapoport wrote, “The #Dolphins and seven-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey are mutually set to explore trade options, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he played elsewhere in 2025, per me and @TomPelissero.” This update has also opened a new opportunity for the 49ers.
Think about this: If the 49ers have left cornerbacks like Tre Brown, Tre Avery, and Tre Tomlinson and right CBs like Renardo Green, Darrell Luter Jr., and Siran Neal on their depth chart, why should they think about Jalen Ramsey? Well, it’s all about making a perfect roster. The seven-time Pro Bowler is reliable, promising, and hardworking. Last year, he solo-tackled 39 times. So, he can be a great fit to defend Brock Purdy.
And that’s where Trent Williams’ trade debates piled up. The OT is currently in the 2nd year of his three-year $82,660,000 contract. So, to get Jalen Ramsey, they can trade Trent Williams to the Dolphins. But here is the catch. Kyle Shanahan has $54,751,566 of dead cap value if they trade the nearly 37-year-old Williams? Yeah, that’s right.
As we have already discussed, the 49ers are already in the process of giving a nearly 50-million-dollar per-year deal to Brock Purdy, while George Kittle’s contract is yet to be discussed. So, in this situation, financially, it looks difficult for them to go ahead with the trade. But caliber-wise, Kyle Shanahan would want to go for it. What do you think?