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And so it begins: Life without Laken Tomlinson for the San Francisco 49ers, the first free agent move and roster casualty of the 2022 free agency cycle.
First reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Pro Bowl left guard is soon to leave the 49ers for the New York Jets.
49ers free-agent guard Laken Tomlinson intends to sign with the NY Jets, per source.
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And, per the NFL Network trio of insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero, Tomlinson will sign his name to a three-year, $40 million deal with the Jets.
Jets, OL Laken Tomlinson agree to three-year, $40M contract. (via @TomPelissero, @RapSheet, @MikeGarafolo)
Tomlinson moving on certainly sparked a reaction from the 49ers’ side…notably two All-Pros on the 49ers.
Samuel’s Immediate Reaction & Trent Williams’ Response
The All-Pro Deebo Samuel, who had to follow Tomlinson’s blocks on designed running plays when Samuel took handoffs as an alternate running back, gave his online reaction to the move.
Let’s just say — it was a one-word, but lengthy reaction:
However, there was one more reaction from the 49ers’ Pro Bowl “wide back.” One with a congratulatory tone:
Samuel wasn’t the only All-Pro 49ers representative who reacted to the Tomlinson news. There was one that involved just one emoji from 49ers standout Trent Williams:
49ers Trent Williams just posted this on my recent post of Laken Tomlinson 🥺
Other Notable Reactions to Tomlinson’s Departure
Tomlinson certainly leaves behind some profound memories with the 49ers. And it’s not just his blocking ability. As Sam Hustis of KNBR in the Bay Area brought up, Tomlinson was known for “victory doughnuts” inside the 49ers’ locker room:
The warning signs that Tomlinson would have been hard to keep were there at the NFL Combine, per a conversation that general manager John Lynch held with reporters which was noted by The Athletic’s 49ers insider David Lombardi:
“We can withstand keeping both (Tomlinson and Mack), absent of Laken’s market going completely crazy — which he’s made it tough as well. When you play at a high level and you’re out there all the time, there’s value to that,” was the previous quote Lombardi help post that tied into the Tomlinson to Jets news.
Lynch at combine: “We can withstand keeping both (Tomlinson and Mack), absent of Laken’s market going completely crazy — which he’s made it tough as well. When you play at a high level and you’re out there all the time, there’s value to that.”
Laken’s market did indeed go crazy
Lombardi adds that Tomlinson will soon reunite with his past offensive line coach in S.F.: John Benton, who was with the 49ers from 2017 to 2020 and was one of the first assistant hires made by head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Lions initially drafted Laken Tomlinson in 1st round. He struggled. Lynch/Shanahan brought Tomlinson to 49ers for a 5th-rounder in ’17.
John Benton, now Tomlinson’s O-line coach in NY, helped him reach his potential. Now Tomlinson has earned big-time $, SF in line for comp pick
While Tomlinson starred at left guard while lining up next to the All-Pro left tackle Williams, The Athletic’s Jets reporter Connor Hughes reported that Tomlinson will line up in a different position for New York.
While Laken Tomlinson played left guard in San Francisco, he’s more than capable of flipping sides. There is no worry from the #Jets there.
Sources say he will play RG with Jets. Alijah Vera-Tucker isn’t moving.
Peter Schrager of the NFL network believes that Tomlinson will bring much more than just pass protection and run blocking in the Big Apple. Schrager believes Tomlinson will provide a much-needed locker room leader voice for former 49ers defensive coordinator and second year Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
One piece to the Saleh/LaFluer first year with the Jets that was missing were veteran players who spoke their language and could lead from experience with both during the SF years.
Laken Tomlinson is a solid player, AND can lead with the shared 49ers experience from within.
Meanwhile, noted 49ers fan and also 49ers Web Zone digital content creator Patrick Tulini posted that he’s happy Tomlinson got a richer deal despite leaving the 49ers — and adds who the 49ers could turn to next:
Where Else the 49ers can Turn to
As mentioned by Tulini, the prospects of the 2021 second rounder plus Bay Area native Banks stepping in looks higher than ever.
However, the 49ers could still pivot over to a division rival who is expected to be in hot demand at guard: Austin Corbett of the Los Angeles Rams.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic mentioned Corbett’s name as a possible option in his “The Frugal GM” column released on Friday, March 11. As it is, the 49ers once held a field meeting and session with Corbett back in 2018.
#49ers recently worked out Nevada guard Austin Corbett, per @mattbarrows t.co/SHeEhr6pXf
Akash Anavarathan of SB Nation’s Niners Nation, however, wouldn’t rule out two other free agents the 49ers could look into. Both are younger, 24-year-olds:
Laken Tomlinson’s a great player — but he was likely out of the #49ers’ budget.
Austin Corbett, James Daniels or Connor Williams are solid veteran options, if the 49ers decide to go that route. Think they’d come cheaper than Tomlinson too.
Then there’s this option noted by Bleacher Report in their March 8 post NFL Combine mock draft: The 49ers draft a possible replacement for Tomlinson in versatile guard/center Dylan Parham of Memphis at the No. 61 slot.
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All-Pros Samuel & Williams React to 49ers Losing Key Star