The San Francisco 49ers have more issues than merely finding a new head coach after the team and Jim Harbaugh parted ways last week. The Niners have 17 free agents -- 15 unrestricted and two restricted -- as they enter the 2015 offseason. The new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET March 10, when unrestricted free agents can sign with any team.
Six of the Niners' free agents are key players -- five-time Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore, three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Mike Iupati, receiver Michael Crabtree, whose 10.3 yards per catch average was a career low, linebacker Dan Skuta, who has started 18 games over the past two seasons, and both startering cornerbacks in Perrish Cox, whose five interceptions led the team, and Chris Culliver, who had four interceptions in the Niners' final seven games.
Beyond that, the Niners may also lose defensive end Justin Smith to retirement after having “terminated” the contract of fellow DE Ray McDonald.
Here's a list of the 49ers' unrestricted and restricted free agents:
Unrestricted:
Blaine Gabbert, quarterback
Josh Johnson, quarterback
Frank Gore, running back
Alfonso Smith, running back
Phillip Tanner, running back
Michael Crabtree, wide receiver
Brandon Lloyd, wide receiver
Kassim Osgood, wide receiver
Mike Iupati, left guard
Dan Skuta, linebacker
Desmond Bishop, linebacker
Chris Culliver, cornerback
Perrish Cox, cornerback
Chris Cook, cornerback
Bubba Ventrone, safety
Restricted:
Garrett Celek, tight end
Kyle Nelson, long snapper
