SANTA CLARA — The 49ers held a press conference Friday, and there were three seats at the Levi’s Stadium dais.
One for general manager John Lynch. One for head coach Kyle Shanahan. And one for the team’s $137.5 million dollar man, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who signed a contract that will make him the highest-paid player in NFL history on Thursday.
Notably absent from the proceedings were neckties and 49ers CEO Jed York.
The lack of ties didn’t say anything — it’s California, baby. But the lack of York was telling.
It’s a sign that the team’s oft-posturing owner might have figured out how to get out of his own way.