Agent poll votes 49ers best-prepared team in contract negotiations

A vote by 25 NFL agents chose the San Francisco 49ers as the team that is best prepared during contract negotiations.

The agents, who were polled by Jarrett Bell and Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today Sports, had the 49ers at the No. 1 spot, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers.

The 49ers' position on the list speaks volumes about the job that general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have done in just over a year on the scene.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Cincinnati Bengals were voted the worst-prepared team during contract negotiations, followed by the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, and Chicago Bears.

The agents were also asked which team decision-maker they respected the most, and trusted the least.

Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who is retiring after the 2018 season, topped the list of the most respected. Patriots boss Bill Belichick was second followed by John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks, with Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts, Kevin Colbert of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Les Snead of the Los Angeles Rams all tied for fourth.

Agents identified Washington team president Bruce Allen as the decision-maker they trust the least, just ahead of Miami Dolphins vice-president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum, Broncos general manager John Elway, and Bengals owner Mike Brown.