UPDATED (7:30 p.m.)
The 49ers have a "legitimate shot" to land veteran free-agent quarterback Kurt Warner, who led the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl this season, a league source said. A second source with knowledge of the situation said there have been no serious contract discussions.
No visit has been scheduled that would bring together 49ers representatives and Warner. One source said the 49ers might get together with Warner in the next day or two. If the discussions heat up, the 49ers could send a group of three, including Mike Singletary and general Scot McCloughan, to
The 49ers' interest in Warner was first reported by ESPN this evening.
Warner's camp believes the Cardinals have taken a passive approach with the Pro Bowl quarterback, the source said. The Cardinals have believed that Warner would either play for the Cardinals in 2009 or retire. But Warner, 37, has opened the door to negotiate with other teams.
Warner ranked as the league's third-leading passer in 2008. He threw 30 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, compiling a rating of 96.9.
The 49ers have plenty of cap room to pull off a blockbuster deal, such as signing Warner. They began the free-agent signing period with more than $25 million in cap room. They could easily create around $10 million in addition cap space when they address the contract situations of Alex Smith and Jonas Jennings.
The ESPN report states Warner is looking for a contract in the neighborhood of the $14.7 million range -- the franchise number for quarterbacks.
* * *
I think he might be posturing, but I guess you never know. I heard Mortenson mention this around 4:10 pm or so on ESPN radio and he said it pretty matter-of-factly.
They should move on this and get it done if possible. It would weaken Arizona and make the 49ers much better right away.
WOW!...I'm sure this is just a negotiational ploy on his/his agent's part. Let the games begin!
Any chance Fitz will come with him?
Warner has no intention of signing with the niners or any other team for that matter. He is just using a division opponent to drive up the price of the 2 year deal he wants and the niners are the team in their division with QB uncertainty. That would be great if he did sign with us, but I just don't see it actually happening.
Even if he is just using the 49ers to drive up the price its a win win for the 49ers. The problem is this would be a one or two year deal at the most and you would think the 49ers could have used that money for a T.J. or something more long term. Matt they have not released Jennings yet have they? What do you think that means?
and even if there is no chance of this because in Warner's heart he is going back to the cardinals. If the 49ers can sell it right, maybe arizona overpays for warner and blows up their future cap (future problems with the CBA not withstanding). ah the intrigue. Kinda like the Giants posturing so the Dodgers will have to pay more to keep Manny.
Hey Matt doesnt this remind you of the Sf Giants and them maybe looking at Manny. Or is this more serious?
Warner handing off to Gore & Norris 50 times a game with maybe a dozen passes to Battle, Hill & Morgan. O puleeze. This ain't going to happen in a zillion years. Tell your "league source" he's got his head where the sun don't shine.
hard to believe it's anything serious. First get rid of Martz, then sign Warner? Who better to call plays for warner than martz? It's just a money-play.
it would make us better for certain, but if we can't protect him pretty darn good i do not think he will last all year. hopefully the smashmouth style will keep him away from to many hits. but even then i still only see him as a one year wonder ala brett farve
Realfan49 lol
Do it. Even at 38, he's a huge upgrade from any QB on our roster.
Sorry, but Warner is in much better shape than Favre was. Favre's odd obsession with keeping his consecutive start streak alive finally caught up with him in the end of '07, and then lingered on in '08. Warner, while not mobile, can still move in the pocket, and he doesn't have the arm problems Favre did. I think he's got a couple of good years left in him in a Singletary type offense.
This might be a candidate for worst "rumor" of the day, lol!
Matt,
What's your take on Warner. I don't want to get too wrapped up in this news, because it dosen't seem possible...is it?
Kerry Collins got 2 yr 20 Mil so why not Warner? I definitely think it's a "gimme what I want or else" thing.
I hope.
Matt, with this seemingly unexpected development that could start to gain momentum over the next few days, does this mean that the 49ers are in the qb business as a whole, or are they in the kurt warner business only? Also If housh lingers on the market for a few days will the 49ers go after him?
No offense to Warner, but we have enough senior citizens on this team.
Franchise, your comment would have had a lot more credit before last season. I'm no Kurt Warner fan, but he led a team that no one thought could get out of the first round of the playoffs, to the super bowl. And he almost won it. Boldin is so pissed at AZ, that maybe he follows him to their division rivals so he can kick the shit out of them. Probably dreaming, but why not? It is free agency.
Matt, can you douse this fire quickly? Warner demands a pass, pass, pass system, and is not a fit for any part of Singletary's "vision."
We know this has to be posturing, but why would the 49ers allow this rumor to spread? Is it that they hope it will force the Cardinals to pay up - thus limiting their other transactions?
Boldin's under contract. They certainly won't just release him, so he'd have to be traded. No chance he ends up here. Zero.
It's a longshot, but it could happen. Typical Cardinal/Bidwill economics. The Cards have already gotten a big break. Warner has basically been the starter the past two seasons (27 out of the past 32 regular season starts) and yet he's been paid as the back-up, making less than Matt Leinart.
The Cards are lowballing Warner and it might comeback to burn them.
Also, Warner really wants Boldin to be happy with a contract he deserves.
SF would be a possibility for Warner. Warm weather, NFC West, a respected coach, and possibly being reunited with Issac Bruce.
It's a long shot (Warner would rather stay in AZ. with Fitz and Boldin) but enough disrespect and four million dollars more might change Warner's mind.
Warner would rather go to the Chefs than play for a neanderthal offensive genius in Jimmy Raye. Please people, can we put this to rest?
Warner in the midwest would be the next logical train stop for him before Canton.
You're a little off base here. Todd Haley (his OC in AZ.) was mentored by "Neanderthal" Bill Parcells.
Smart coaches coach to their player's capabilities.
Ken Whisenhunt came to AZ. intending to run a "Steeler" offense. However, with Boldin and Fitzgerald AND (and this is very important) Warner putting Leinart on the bench, the offense became much more of a passing offense.
Whisenhunt, towards the end of 2008 actually bemoaned the way the offense was run (pass oriented) but basicaly said (What the Hell, it's working and it fits our personnel).
This is probably a long shot, but in my ideal world we sign Warner, draft a QB in 3+ round, and end the Alex Smith project once and for all. That way Warner starts, Hill provides veteran experience @ the backup, and then you have a rookie QB soakin in the Raye offense for a couple seasons.