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Trade speculation surrounding the San Francisco 49ers has centered on quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but unless the Denver Broncos bend on their contract specifications a deal looks unlikely until at least after the draft. But two other veterans are on the trade block now, as Peter King passed along in his ‘Monday Morning Quarterback’ column that the 49ers are looking to trade offensive tackle Anthony Davis and safety Antoine Bethea.
The 49ers were without both Davis and Bethea at times last season, but for different reasons. Davis retired last summer, while immediately offering the idea he would come back, and Bethea played seven games before a pectoral injury sidelined him for the season. Davis has said he will apply for reinstatement, but he has offered what looks like a parting shot at 49ers general manager Trent Baalke.
I’ll be filing for reinstatement to the NFL later this year. Dealing with Trent is giving me a headache.
— AD (@BamDavis_) April 1, 2016
Calling out Baalke on Twitter could prove to be a calculated move by Davis. He wants to play, apparently, and has a lot left at 26 years old after a year away. But he also can’t be blamed for not wanting to re-join the 49ers if there are any other options, given what has gone on with the franchise over the last couple years.
Bethea had played 119 straight games prior to his season-ending injury last year, but he will turn 32 in July and he’s due $9.75 million in base salary over the next two seasons. He surely would have some appeal to contending teams as a productive tackler who has been a solid pass defender too.
Getting draft picks for Davis and/or Bethea would be a good thing for the 49ers as they rebuild their roster under new head coach Chip Kelly. Doing anything of note with those extra picks is another thing entirely, though. And as long as Baalke is running the show, there will be some well-deserved skepticism surrounding whatever the 49ers choose to do.
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