49ers owner on Jerome Simpson signing: 'I don't know what the thinking was'
When the San Francisco 49ers opted to part ways with Jim Harbaugh at the end of the 2014 season, team owner Jed York repeatedly stressed that he wanted the organization to win with class.
Whether that was a parting shot at Harbaugh and his coaching tactics or a reference to the recent mishandling of some players' off-field issues, all indications were that he meant every word.
However, when the 49ers signed free-agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson on Thursday, who has been arrested three times over the course of his six-year NFL career, York wasn't able to offer much of an explanation:
Asked Jed York about 49ers signing thrice-arrested Jerome Simpson. He said "You have to ask Trent. I don't know what the thinking was."
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) March 6, 2015
Ownership is often not involved in personnel decisions and the 49ers may well have determined that Simpson is deserving of another chance in the league.
At the same time, different levels of the organization not being on the same page played a key role in the dysfunction that appeared to surface toward the end of Harbaugh's tenure. Based on York's comments, that's clearly something that still needs to be worked out.