Jeremy Fowler recently detailed the main free agency moves for each NFL team in an article for ESPN. What did he think of the San Francisco 49ers? While the team reinforced the offensive line with the rehiring of Trent Williams and the addition of Alex Mack and re-hired top players such as defender Kyle Juszczyk and cornerback Jason Verrett, the ESPN writer seems to have hoped for a change to reinforce another position.

“The 49ers are up to something like a quarterback,” wrote Fowler. “They had extensive conversations with (Joe) Flacco, who got along with Kyle Shanahan during a visit last week before choosing Philly.”

San Francisco was also reportedly in the mix for Andy Dalton before the Chicago Bears signed the quarterback. Fowler reports that the team talked to Mitch Trubisky’s representatives before he joined Buffalo Bills. It seems that the 49ers are trying to improve reserve positions behind starter Jimmy Garoppolo, who lost 10 games last season due to ankle injuries and 23 games in the past three seasons.

Fowler adds this nugget: “Rumors persist that Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew II could be in his plans via trade.”

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Although the “rumors” do not point to the reported interest, it is an interesting statement. Minshew has 20 games of initial experience in his two seasons in the NFL, shot 5,530 yards with 37 touchdowns with 11 interceptions during that period, and is scheduled to win $ 850,000 in earnings this season. This is a bargain for an experienced reserve quarterback.

Minshew started eight games last season, but the Jaguars are expected to call Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall choice.

As for the possibility of upgrading from Garoppolo, there are not many options now out of a dream or two possible.

“Watson would be one (option), of course,” added Fowler. “But it is unlikely to be a hard blow to negotiate. So for now, San Francisco can focus on expanding the quarterback room and adjusting from there.”