San Francisco 49ers Should Remain Calm Amid the Free-Agent Chaos

Like most 49ers fans, I looked forward to free agency like a kid does Christmas. When it finally came, instead of presents I got a lump of coal.

Not only has San Francisco failed to sign or trade for any impact players, they’ve let starters David Baas and Takeo Spikes walk and are expected to part ways with Nate Clements, Manny Lawson, Aubrayo Franklin and Joe Nedney  

To top it all off, the 49ers’ best offensive player, Frank Gore, is expected to hold out and the Sacramento Bee is reporting Michael Crabtree is once again going to miss part or all of the preseason.

Even if Trent Baalke can pry Nnamdi Asomugha from the jowls of Rex Ryan, which is looking less and less likely, the greatest frenzy in free-agent history will see San Francisco let more talent exit the doors of 4949 Centennial Boulevard than will enter it.

And the hard truth is that’s the smart move.

As painful as is to accept after a decade of losing, the 49ers are closer to rebuilding than they are to contending. Mortgaging the future to chase a division title and a first-round playoff loss will only lead to more heartbreak in the long run.

Maybe if the Harbaugh and Co. had a full offseason to implement their system and accurately assess the team’s talent, becoming a buyer in free agency would have made a modicum of sense.

As it stands they have a shortened training camp, a disgruntled running back and a QB situation that is tenuous at best (hopeless at worst). It all adds up to a franchise that should be building for the future, not doubling down on the present.

That means waving goodbye to Franklin and taking a chance on Isaac Sopoaga. Same goes for Manny Lawson and Aldon Smith.  

It also means taking a hard line on the demands of Frank Gore. That’s tough to stomach since Gore has been such a great player on such awful teams, but you don’t give aging running backs contract extensions.  

San Francisco would still be wise to chase Asomugha, elite corners don’t hit the market often and he is the kind of personality you want leading a young team, but if the Jets want to pay $20 million, hope Nnamdi enjoys winters in New Jersey.

The fanatic in will me will continue to refresh my Twitter feed and scour the ticker in hopes of hearing the 49ers have inked a few big-name players.

My rational side realizes you don’t rebuild a dynasty by overspending on a shaky foundation.