Monday kicked off the media circus portion of the NFL owners meetings, where many terrible rule changes are decided, and during which we hear from general managers, head coaches, and the owners who feel like gabbing.
It also features the yearly photo of head coaches all looking dead-eyed and in need of a caffeine IV, like they're on day five of the worst conference in America. I'm not convinced all of these guys are real head coaches. Brief picture takeaways:
- At least the Harbaugh brothers are back together, though Jim's smile is overwhelming his face.
- It's nice they put Mike McDaniel and Mike MacDonald next to each other, though that feels like a McDaniel decision for the memes.
- Andy Reid is the only one truly vibing.
- Nick Sirianni was a no-show (Mike McCarthy, Mike Tomlin, Matt Eberflus and Sean Payton were also not in the photo), just as he and the Eagles were down the stretch. Hey-O!
Moving on.
"Hip drop" schadenfreude from the owners
The most notable change thus far, was the ban of the "hip drop" tackle, a term which was not part of our collective lexicon a year ago, and which seems to be the NFL's new "hey, look, we're protecting players!" rule.
It's going to be a nightmare for defenses, who already have borderline impossible limitations on how to sack a quarterback. The NFL intends to legislate it largely through the use of fines, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero , which will ideally affect the game less, but ding players' checkbooks more.
I mean, the NFL is admitting there is "no way to get reps officiating it" so.. let's just watch tape of varying normal-to-abnormal tackles and hope we get it right! (Hint: they won't!)
In other words, this thing, which didn't seem to exist a few years ago, is suddenly a major problem that will be enforced by taking money from players. You figure out who really benefits from that. Are we making the game safer, or making good defense more expensive?
The league is also approving a third challenge flag if a team gets one of its first two right, and allowing some leeway for replay officials to amend incorrect decisions on roughing the passer and intentional grounding.
Aiyuk trade talk, and more from John Lynch
In 49ers-related news, general manager John Lynch discussed a handful of subjects, the most pressing of which is Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation. As is often the case with wide receivers who want a major contract, Aiyuk is causing a stir.
Aiyuk has been up to some cryptic behavior on social media, liking tweets about whether the 49ers will pay him, and tweeting directly at Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Lynch tried to sandbag any rumors of an Aiyuk trade, saying the 49ers have been in talks with him about an extension and are not considering trades. As for the Tomlin component -- for which speculation ratcheted after Lynch was seen talking to Tomlin at Michigan's Pro Day -- Lynch said:
"I promise you nothing's going on there."
Directly after Lynch spoke, Aiyuk posted this on his Instagram story. If you, like me, are an emoji translator, it would seem to read as "money talks, bull shit walks." Was it Shelley or Keats who wrote that?
George Kittle responded in kind , instructing him not to walk, followed by some other nonsense.
For those of you panicking about the Aiyuk situation, know that he's just taking a page out of Deebo Samuel's -- and every other receiver's -- playbook. Put pressure on management to give you the deal you've earned by any and all means.
Other notes from Lynch
In other 49ers news, there were a handful of injury updates, plus Lynch talking up a recent signing that fans are rightfully lukewarm about. All this information comes from NBC Sports Matt Maiocco.
Lynch said that both Charvarius Ward and George Kittle will both have core muscle surgery this offseason, but are expected to be back for training camp.
Dre Greenlaw is attempting to be ready for Week 1, but Lynch said he's a potential case to start on the physically unable to perform list. In this non-doctor's opinion, a Week 1 start for Greenlaw is an outrageous expectation.
Lynch also provided some information on the accounting error that cost the 49ers their 2025 fifth-round pick, along with a four-pick slide in the fourth round. He said the 49ers overpaid a player $75,000 during the 2020 season, then tried to get it back, instead of reporting it to the league.
He also talked up the signing of defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, the physically-gifted, 26-year-old formerly of the Panthers. Nick Wagoner reported that Lynch compared him to Arden Key and Charles Omenihu, saying multiple teams called him about Gross-Matos after the 49ers signed him.
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