Nothing is indicating that the San Francisco 49ers are even looking into the possibility of adding seven-time Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas to their already impressive defense. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, however, named the team among those to keep an eye on.
"They should be among those inquiring, along with the Cowboys," Rapoport wrote via Twitter.
It is important to note that Rapoport seemed to be sharing an opinion and not saying he's heard of any interest on San Francisco's side.
Of course, that didn't stop the comment from prompting some discussion from Rapoport's colleagues over at NFL Network — former NFL stars turned analysts, Willie McGinest and LaDainian Tomlinson.
"For the 49ers, I look at their defense as one of the best in the league," McGinest told MJ Acosta. "And if you add another piece like that, it just sends them over the top. It's almost unfair. But I look at that locker room — strong personalities, strong locker room, great character, great coaches in there to be able to handle a guy like Earl Thomas.
"It will team him back up with Richard Sherman, a guy he's played with in the past, so I understand that dynamic."
When it comes down to choosing between San Francisco and the Houston Texans — another team Rapoport mentioned — Tomlinson sees the 49ers as the best fit for Thomas because the safety already knows the system. It is similar to the one he was a part of in Seattle.
"As Willie alluded to, Earl Thomas has played with Richard before," said Tomlinson. "They have a great understanding with each other of how to play in that type of defense, along with [them being] ready to win now. They're in a win-now mode, coming off a Super Bowl appearance.
"You look at all the talent that they have on the defensive side of the ball, especially with that defensive line, you can really build something similar in San Francisco, from Earl's point of view, as you had in Seattle.
"So I think that's the easy transition when you talk about him coming in, trying to learn a defense within three weeks of you having a football game. I have to think it would be the 49ers as a better fit for Earl Thomas."
