The unofficial opening of NFL free agency kicked off Monday.
Teams were permitted, beginning Monday, to contact and enter into negotiations with agents of players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Players are not allowed to sign with new clubs until Wednesday, 1 p.m. (PT).
Here’s an update of 49ers-related happenings:
WEDNESDAY
3:54 p.m.: The 49ers are scheduled to visit with Arizona Cardinals free-agent guard Ted Larsen, FoxSports.com reported. Larsen, 28, a six-year NFL veteran, started all 26 games in which he appeared for the Cardinals the past two seasons. Larsen, who started 10 games last season, replaced Jonathan Cooper at right guard last season. Cooper was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2013.
3:25 p.m.: The 49ers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent quarterback Thad Lewis, according to a league source. Lewis is familiar with coach Chip Kelly's system after being signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' active roster on Sept. 21.
2:01 p.m.: The 49ers are one of four teams to express interest in Denver running back C.J. Anderson, a restricted free agent, reports Pro Football Talk. New England, Chicago and Miami are also interested in Anderson, according to the report. The Broncos gave the lowest qualifying offer to Anderson, a one-year offer of $1.671 million. If any team signs Anderson to an offer sheet, the Broncos would have the right of first refusal but would not gain any compensation if they decline to match. The Broncos would have one week to match any signed offer sheet. Anderson, 24, a Cal product, rushed for 720 yards and five touchdowns with a 4.7-yard average last season for the Super Bowl-winning Broncos.
1:34 p.m.: The 49ers did not extend a qualifying offer to defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie, as previously reported. The lowest amount to tender a restricted free agent is $1.671 million. The 49ers hope to sign Jerod-Eddie to a contract, presumably at a less-expensive price. Meanwhile, linebacker Michael Wilhoite did receive a tender of $1.671 million. Wilhoite can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the 49ers have the right to match the deal. If they do not match another team's offer to Wilhoite, the 49ers would receive no compensation.
1:00 p.m.: The free-agent signing period officially opens. The 49ers have three players who officially became unrestricted free agents:
WR Anquan Boldin
K Phil Dawson
RB Reggie Bush
12:45: The 49ers, Raiders and Kansas City are "still in on Sean Smith," reports Peter King of the MMQB. Smith, a 6-foot-3 cornerback, played the past three seasons in Kansas City.
12:14 p.m.: Free-agent quarterback Robert Griffin is on the Broncos' list of replacements, reports ESPN. Adam Schefter reports Griffin could be visiting Denver.
12:10 p.m.: Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler has agreed to a deal with the Houston Texans, according to an NFL Network report. That could place the Broncos in the market for Colin Kaepernick. Here's what Broncos GM John Elway and coach Gary Kubiak had to say about Kaepernick last summer after two joint practices between the 49ers and Broncos.
9:30 a.m.: Shortly after Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network speculated the Denver Broncos might "come after" 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick if they are unable to re-sign Brock Osweiler, Rapoport reported the Broncos are "ramping up" their effort to retain Osweiler. He is also reportedly considering the Houston Texans. Rapoport stated that Kaepernick "appears to be backup plan" for the Broncos. Kaepernick's representatives have asked the 49ers for permission to seek a trade. The 49ers have not acted on that request.
8:45 a.m.: The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly agreed to terms with soon-to-be-former 49ers guard Alex Boone on a free-agent contract. After two years of contract disputes it was considered highly unlikely Boone would return to the 49ers as a free agent.
7:19 a.m.: The 49ers are working toward a new contract for defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie, a source told CSNBayArea.com. Jerod-Eddie has appeared in 47 games the past three seasons as a rotation player. Jerod-Eddie is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, but the 49ers want to sign him to a contract to avoid paying him the minimum qualifying offer of $1.671 million. Presumably, the 49ers wish to retain Jerod-Eddie at a lower price.
5:00 a.m.: The 49ers reached a five-year contract extension with nose tackle Ian Williams, a source told CSNBayArea.com. Williams was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent when the signing period opens at 1 p.m. Williams was considered the 49ers' top free-agent priority. He ranked third on the team in tackles last season and played in all 16 games for the first time in his five-year career.
4:45 a.m.: Some free agents that could have been attractive to the 49ers have agreed to deals with new teams. The Raiders have an agreement in place with Seattle pass-rusher Bruce Irvin, while the New York Giants have reached a deal with Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins, according to reports. The expected contracts can be signed after 1 p.m.
TUESDAY
1:05 p.m.: The 49ers announced qualifying offers to linebacker Michael Wilhoite and guard Jordan Devey to retain their contract rights. The 49ers hold the right of first refusal on Wilhoite, enabling them to match any offer he might receive as a restricted free agent. Devey, an exclusive-rights free agent, has no outside negotiating power.
1:00 p.m.: The 49ers signed free-agent linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong to a one-year contract extension, the 49ers announced.
10:14 a.m.: The 49ers are certainly in need of an upgrade at pass-rusher, but a couple of the top options in free agency are no longer available. The Jacksonville Jaguars reached an agreement with Denver free-agent defensive lineman Malik Jackson on a six-year deal, according to multiple national reports. And Kansas City is re-signing Tamba Hali to a three-year deal, reports ESPN.
7:01 a.m.: The 49ers are expected to finalize tenders for their restricted and exclusive-rights free agents. The team has already informed RFA linebacker Michael Wilhoite and EFA guard Jordan Devey that the club will retain their contract rights, sources told CSNBayArea.com. Defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie and linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong are the other scheduled restricted free agents.
MONDAY
11:19 a.m.: Washington has released former 49ers safety Dashon Goldson, reports CSN Mid-Atlantic. The 49ers do not figure to be interested in reuniting with Goldson. Chip Kelly recently told reporters that he was very impressed with the 49ers' collection of safeties. Said Kelly, "I think the safety position is really talented. That probably jumped out at you the most on the defensive side. At a position in this league, where there’s not a lot of safeties, I think you got a lot of capable players at that position.”
10:52 a.m.: The 49ers have discussed Kansas City cornerback Sean Smith, a source told CSNBayArea.com. Smith, a seven-year veteran, has been on the 49ers’ radar in the past. Smith (6 foot 3, 218 pounds) started 44 games the past three seasons after signing with Kansas City as a free agent after four seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
9:38 a.m.: The 49ers are one of approximately 10 teams that have expressed interest in Seattle free-agent guard J.R. Sweezy, according to the NFL Network. Alex Boone, a four-year starter for the 49ers, is scheduled for unrestricted free agency. The 49ers and Boone made no progress toward a multi-year deal after he skipped the past two offseason programs in a contract dispute.
[MAIOCCO: 49ers enter new league year with more than $60 million available]
Sweezy, 26, has started in the Seahawks’ zone-blocking scheme the past three seasons. His legal cut block of 49ers’ nose tackle Ian Williams early in the 2013 season resulted in Williams’ season-ending fractured lower leg.
8:56 a.m.: John Middlekauff of San Francisco radio station 95.7 The Game wrote on Twitter: “Heard the #49ers have had talks with KC about acquiring De'Anthony Thomas in a trade.” Middlekauf worked as a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles under Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
Thomas (5 foot 8, 176 pounds) is a two-year NFL veteran after playing collegiately at Oregon. In two seasons, he has 40 receptions for 296 yards, along with 23 rushing attempts for 147 yards. He has averaged 10.0 yards on 63 punt returns and 28.3 yards on 20 kickoff returns.
8:00 a.m.: Quarterback Robert Griffin is heading toward free agency a couple days early after reports Washington will release him on Monday. With Colin Kaepernick’s future up in the air, Griffin could interest the 49ers.
