The 49ers have not been the quickest to act in replacing their coach or GM this offseason, and that’s probably a good thing. When you think about it, the best talent is most likely in the playoffs.…

That 'best talent' is not available to be hired until their team's season has ended... this patience of course comes with a risk. If the person or persons the 49ers are seeking are not found, or turn out to be not the right match, the pool of remaining coaches and general managers is likely weaker because of the teams that acted fast to fill their gaps this offseason.

There are some strong indicators that the Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the likeliest option, and best option for the club. He's the odd's on favorite for those willing to bet at https://www.casinoaus.com. McDaniels is arguably the most qualified for the position, with a closer runner up being Kyle Shanahan. Neither is a sure bet though, and either could still decline to join the Niners. The team may also be put off by Shanahan's connections to the Eddie side of the Debartlo family, and that, sadly, may overshadow his competency as a coach.

Still, the team may be looking to put their general manager in place first, and if that's the case, they are also best served to look at the talent on teams in the playoffs... notably the teams that seem to be perpetually in the playoffs ... first. Again, that emphasizes the need for patience.

So while we fans toil in what might be, while we see teams hiring up coaches around us, I have little reason to panic. Unless the team was going to reach into the college ranks, like it did for Harbaugh, there is no reason to rush to hire coaches from the current pool... qualified yes, but generally not the very best at what they do.

But given the risks associated with the waiting, one would assume Jed had a back up plan. Perhaps it's not the safest assumption, because for the past 3 years it has looked like Jed has no plan at all ... but let's assume he does have a plan. I have to think his contingency for the front office is Tom Gamble. Gamble is given lots of credit for the team's rebuild under Harbaugh, and he seemed to be in line for the position if Chip Kelly stayed. Yes, York has publicly said Gamble isn't under consideration - but he can easily back track on his word, as he has done before, if something goes awry with the playoff pool of candidates. Gamble would secure the GM role. But what about coach?

My suspiscion is that Gamble would opt for Anthony Lynn if he is not hired by then. Lynn has connections to the Niners and also former 49ers coordinator Greg Roman. I could see this being the contingency at coach should things not unfold with a top tier candidate.

What would that mean though? I believe the margin to win in the NFL is so narrow that everything has to be in place. The right front office, coach, players, schemes, culture, health, luck, officials... and on, and on. If the 49ers are forced to sacrifice in any way during this complete re-build expect disatisfaction. They maybe able to find their way back to the mid-tier of the NFL, maybe even upper mid-tier, but without ensuring they have top level talent at every element of the team, it will be hard to see them achieve true greatness.