It's no secret that Mike Holmgren loves San Francisco. He says as much every season before he and the Seahawks make their annual trip south.

He was born in San Francisco. He coached high school in San Francisco and San Jose. He was an assistant under Bill Walsh. He still has a home near Santa Cruz. And, well, he probably knows the 49ers better than any other opposing coach in the league.

Which is why speculation is rampant that Holmgren, who already has announced that this is his final season in Seattle, eventually will wind up with the 49ers.