49ers Webzone News and Updates 49ers Webzone is your San Francisco 49ers online resource featuring up to date news, commentary and the largest 49ers fan community on the web. en-us https://www.49erswebzone.com Sat, 30 May 2026 09:50:00 PDT Sat, 30 May 2026 09:50:00 PDT Where does 49ers' Mac Jones rank among NFL backup QBs by trade value? https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200962-49ers-jones-backup-rankings-estimated/ Sat, 30 May 2026 09:50:00 PDT 2026-05-30T10:04:39-07:00 Marc Adams e8c9a5836f788ac16c5f690076b6d49f
Starting QB Brock Purdy missed eight games in 2025. And Jones filled in admirably, going 5-3, and winning some games the 49ers probably shouldn't have won. In doing so, Jones earned a lot of respect from his teammates and the fan base, showing a great amount of toughness and competitiveness.

On Saturday, Mo Moton, of Bleacher Report, ranked his top-10 backup quarterbacks based on their estimated trade value. Moton based his findings on criteria such as recent production, upside, reported inquiries, and age. And where did Jones rank in Bleacher Report's Top 10?

Not surprisingly, at number one.

"Mac Jones is at the top of the backup quarterback trade market," Moton wrote. "At 27, he's in his prime at the position and had a strong showing this past season as a fill-in for Brock Purdy.

"In 11 outings (eight starts), Jones threw for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 69.6 percent completion rate. Most notably, he helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in an impressive Thursday night performance, battling through bumps and bruises.

"The Athletic's Jeff Howe believes the 49ers could fetch a first-round pick for Jones, which seems steep for a player on his third team in four years. However, Jones looked the part of a starter in San Francisco. Of course, head coach and offensive play-caller Kyle Shanahan deserves some credit for that.

"Nonetheless, Jones has shown flashes of his ability to be a starter at all three of his career stops, going back to his 2021 rookie Pro Bowl season with the New England Patriots. In five campaigns, he's thrown for 67 touchdowns and 50 interceptions with a 66.5 percent completion rate.

"Because of Purdy's injury history, the 49ers should command premium draft capital for Jones in trade talks. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, they added $300,000 in incentives to his contract.
San Francisco may not get a first-round pick for Jones, but a second-rounder is a reasonable demand for a player who could have a redemption story if given the chance to be a full-time starter."

Moton believes that Jones' estimated trade value is a 2027 second-round pick. Shanahan likely does not want to trade him, but if he did, San Francisco would be happy to take on a second-round pick. The question remains: Would Jones be more valuable in San Francisco as Purdy's backup, especially considering his injury history? Or would Jones be more valuable to the 49ers as a future second-rounder?

If you're talking about 2026, then Jones is easily more important to the team this season. But if you're thinking long-term, he is decidedly more valuable as a trade piece to receive a high draft pick. That said, if Jones can help keep the ship afloat during a potential span without Purdy, and the 49ers can win a Super Bowl because of it, there's no value greater than that.]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images USA Today predicts 49ers record for 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200961-today-predicts-49ers-record-2026/ Sat, 30 May 2026 09:39:00 PDT 2026-05-30T09:39:00-07:00 Marc Adams cccc50689cc6570ee886186aeadfa8d4
On Saturday, USA Today gave its prediction for the 49ers in 2026. How did writers Nick Brinkerhoff and Tyler Dragon have the 49ers finishing the regular season? One game shy of last season's record—at 11-6.

"The 49ers have won double-digit games in four of the past five years," Dragon wrote. "Expect San Francisco to win 10 or more games this year, barring major injuries. The 49ers battled multiple injuries last year but will get back linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and edge rusher Nick Bosa (knee). Tight end George Kittle's (Achilles) return is uncertain, but he is ahead of schedule. The offense should be even stronger this year with the additions of wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. San Francisco brought back Dre Greenlaw. Warner and Greenlaw make up arguably the best linebacker tandem in the NFL. Kyle Shanahan's squad is entering 2026 as a strong contender."

Some fans will disagree with this prediction, suggesting that the 49ers have improved the roster and, therefore, should be better in 2026. And the roster has indeed improved. But it's also true that the team's schedule will be more challenging this season. And though Warner, Bosa, and Kittle will return, we're still unsure when or at what level.

And yet, the team looks better on paper. If they can manage to be relatively healthy in 2026, they could make some noise in the playoffs and be a potential Super Bowl team. Another season ravaged by injuries, though, could keep them out of the postseason. It would be hard to replicate what they did last year, overcoming so many key obstacles.

The six losses USA Today predicted for the 49ers include: Rams in Australia, Broncos, at Seahawks, at Chargers, at Chiefs, and Eagles.

Notable wins that USA Today expects include: beating the Rams and Seahawks at home, defeating the Vikings in Mexico, and winning against the Cowboys.

USA Today also listed the 49ers' toughest and easiest games in 2026.

Toughest game: "Week 1 at Los Angeles Rams (Australia). This one is fairly self-explanatory. The 49ers are flying around the globe to participate in the NFL's first Australia game, which will be played at 10:35 a.m. local time. As if that wasn't enough, it's also a Thursday game to open the season in a key contest against division rival. No one knows what impact, if any, that will have on the 49ers the rest of the way, but this will be the toughest game of the season by far."

Easiest game: "Week 9 vs. Las Vegas. After a much-needed bye week, the Niners battle their former neighbors, welcoming the Raiders back to the bay. That's a winnable game for San Francisco, who should have no issues taking care of business against a team that likely won't compete in 2026."

Will the 49ers finish with a worse record in 2026 than they had during an injury-plagued 2025? It's hard to imagine things being more challenging than they were last season. But each year is its own, and they often are unswayed by what happened in seasons past.]]> Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images 49ers mailbag: How much will Kaelon Black play as a rookie? Will SF sign any more free agents? Will the defense be any better in 2026? https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200960-mailbag-kaelon-rookie-agents-defense/ Sat, 30 May 2026 08:37:00 PDT 2026-05-30T08:45:01-07:00 Marc Adams c1660407e1ff3c5e95dae0439e496eb3
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what was on your mind this offseason. Thank you for the great questions. Let's take a look.

How much do you expect Kaelon Black to contribute as a rookie? - Dave B.


I certainly expect Kaelon Black to contribute as a rookie on special teams. He is likely part of the competition for kick-off return duties. And if he can beat out Jordan James, he will see a lot of action as the number-two running back. I believe Black has a strong skill set as a receiver out of the backfield, and that, along with his ability in pass protection, will help him get on the field as a rookie.

How much will he play? That may depend on the health of Christian McCaffrey and how serious Kyle Shanahan is about taking some of the load off his RB1.

Given 4 years of huge draft failures, are the 9ers freeing cap space for veteran signings? Could there be deals agreed waiting for the end of OTAs? - Mickey W.


The 49ers may make some additional free agent signings, but I don't expect any big names, unless they grab an edge rusher like Joey Bosa. I believe the reason they are creating so much cap space is to roll it over into 2027, where they will be near the bottom in cap space. I don't believe it's for some massive move they will make in 2026.

So, I wouldn't expect the big, splashy signings after OTAs. Any players they sign will likely be backup/depth pieces. But we could see them sign someone like Bosa. Still, I would expect that to be closer to training camp.

I'm curious to see the formations they will use for rushing the passer. Do you see them using Height more as a stand-up pass rusher mostly? I'm also hoping they use Cruz in an unconventional role, OT/TE. What do you think? Let's use it as athleticism. - Lowbridge


Raheem Morris has used an edge rusher in the past like this. He would mostly blitz them, and sometimes he would have them drop into coverage. It will be fun to watch how he deploys Romello Height.

As far as Enrique Cruz, he will have a difficult time making the team. He is an athletic tackle, but it's still going to be an uphill climb for him. I like the "outside the box" thinking about putting Cruz in an unconventional tackle/tight end role, though. I hope he makes the team, but I think the practice squad is more likely.

Now that some time has passed, do you see any real star potential in any of the rookies? I think Stribling and Height could be eventual starters, and the more I hear about Black, he might be a steal! - Andy G.


It's obviously too early to know that before any of them play in a real game. But I do agree with the three names you threw out. I would also add Gracen Halton to that list. He's a disruptor on the inside of the defensive line. Maybe he'll never be a star, but he has strong potential to be a very good rotational piece and perhaps an eventual starter.

De'Zhaun Stribling is oozing with potential. So I would say he has the best chance of becoming a star. He will undoubtedly become a starter at some point.

If he doesn't have a strong camp, is Jacob Cowing on the outside looking in? - Sasha R.


Yes, but the thing Jacob Cowing has going for him is his experience as a punt returner. If he wins that job, he has an excellent chance of making the roster. Cowing didn't show much as a wide receiver two seasons ago, but rookies rarely do in Shanahan's offense. And he missed last season with an injury. But if he's learned the position and is healthy, the third-year wideout has an excellent opportunity.

Last season, before his injury, he looked good. The early reports from the 2026 OTAs sound the same. Now, if he can just stay healthy.

Are they going to have a pass rush this year? Have they learned how to tackle? Will the defense be as bad as it was last season? I'm not concerned about the offense. The defense has been this team's problem for at least a decade, so it would be nice to have a sack monster on this team because I think Bosa may have 6-8 sacks this season, which is not worth 32 million per season. - John G.


This is a lot to unpack, but let me try.

  1. Are they going to have a pass rush this year? The 49ers hope their pass rush is improved. And they need it to be, especially with some question marks in the secondary. Height will help some, but the biggest boost may come from inside via Osa Odighizuwa. I expect the pass rush to be better than it was a year ago, when they were last in the league in sacks.
  2. Have they learned how to tackle? Having Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw back will help.
  3. Will the defense be as bad as it was last season? I'm confident the 49ers defense will be better in 2026 than it was in 2025. For one thing, Warner and Nick Bosa will be back on the field. Also, Greenlaw is back. Alfred Collins, C.J. West, and Upton Stout are no longer rookies. They should be better. Malik Mustapha is another year removed from his knee injury. I expect him to be better than he was a year ago. If they can get anything out of Nick Martin, that could be a boost. And if Marquis Sigle can beat out Ji'Ayir Brown, that would help. And as I mentioned already, the addition of Odighizuwa should give the defense a boost.

If two spots are open, who makes it between Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, and Demarcus Robinson? - Dave B.


Demarcus Robinson is making the team. I'd be surprised if he doesn't. That leaves Cowing and second-year WR Jordan Watkins. So, who is the odd man out?

I tend to lean toward Watkins making it over Cowing, but punt return could be the deciding factor. At this point, it's anyone's guess. I just have a hard time seeing the 49ers move on from Watkins only a year after drafting him.

Who do you think will take the LG spot this year? And do you think either Colby or Willis will be starters down the line? - Andy G.


There are some who believe Connor Colby has the upper hand. He's been in the system for a year and reportedly has a much better grasp on things. Personally, I think Robert Jones should have the upper hand. He's new to the team, but he has a lot more experience than Colby or the rookie Carver Willis. Jones started 17 games last season in Miami, and he's started 30 games in his career.

And let's not forget. Brett Toth, another veteran. He's probably not going to win the job, considering he has started only six games in five NFL seasons. But he is a veteran who figures to be part of the competition.

I wouldn't pencil in any of them yet, especially Willis. But the rookie may end up being the starter at some point. It likely won't be early on, though.

Matt Maiocco recently wouldn't dismiss the possibility of Mac Jones returning in 2027. What are the realistic chances? - David B.


I'd say slim, but if there's not much of a market for him next season, Mac Jones could be back in 2027. I think it's more likely he gets traded before the start of the regular season than it is he returns next year. But stranger things have happened. We know Shanahan likes Jones a lot.

I predict Jones will be somewhere else next season, unless he's decided he doesn't want to be a starting quarterback. But I wouldn't count on that, especially for a guy as competitive as he is.

With summer grilling season upon us prior to 49ers training camp, what's your go-to between a burger, sausage, or hot dog? And what condiment is an absolute no-no on any of these? - Ed H.


Definitely a hamburger. I'm ok with a good hot dog, but I'll take a burger almost every time. And keep the mayonnaise away from my hamburger. Nasty stuff!

That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back with a new one later in the offseason.]]> Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa 'pretty far along' in ACL recovery https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200954-49ers-rusher-pretty-along-recovery/ Fri, 29 May 2026 14:34:00 PDT 2026-05-29T14:34:00-07:00 David Bonilla c17e96d1ec2bf46db391aaab790b3262
That would be a significant boost for a 49ers defense that struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks last season—especially after losing Bosa in the lineup.

While the 49ers opened organized team activities (OTAs) this week, Bosa is not yet participating in on-field drills. However, he continues to make steady progress and believes his return is not far off.

RELATED: 49ers injury notes: Guerendo setback; Bosa, Kittle updates

"I'm pretty far along," Bosa said on Thursday. "I'm out on the field doing a lot of stuff, trying to just take it slow because I tend to push things quicker. Obviously, I got injured pretty early last year, so there's plenty of time for me to really kind of lay the groundwork to be ready for a long season.

"So, yeah, it's going really well, and I plan on being ready."

This marks Bosa's second ACL injury since entering the NFL and his third overall. The defensive end's last ACL injury was during the 2020 season, his second year in the league.

"It's different every time," Bosa explained. "Definitely a long road. Never fun, but as you get better physically, your mind gets better also. So, it's just not about looking ahead. Just about day by day, getting better, and I'm just working back. And then, kind of figuring things out as you go."

Before his injury-shortened 2025 campaign, Bosa had recorded 53.5 sacks over the previous four seasons, including an NFL-leading 18.5 sacks in 2022.

The veteran pass rusher acknowledged that his previous recovery experience helped him navigate the mental and physical challenges of this latest setback.

"I kind of have references to go back and look at," Bosa said. "But yeah, just mentally, obviously, I was in a different spot there than now. It's just a different time. My second one on this knee, so it was a little different.

"They took from that patella again, so the tendon needed a little more time to kind of adapt, which was an adjustment, but uh it feels great."

Bosa admitted that the recovery process was especially difficult in the early stages.

"Obviously, you just want to be able to play, especially how good things were going for the defense, and me personally," Bosa said. "I felt I was at a pretty high level to start the year. And then, you start out wanting to quit and never play again, and never put your body in that position again, and then slowly realize that you love this game, and you want to get back to it."

Despite the emotional challenges, Bosa never questioned whether he could return to form.

"I mean, I've never doubted that I could get back to where I am," Bosa said. "It's a good thing I play today, and not back when my dad did, because I probably wouldn't be playing anymore. But luckily, they fix you up pretty good, and I'm feeling really good.

"My mind is also better. I think I've obviously had a lot of time to work on that, and just kind of enjoy some time off. And all the rest of my body feels pretty darn good. My fingers probably haven't felt this good in 20 years, so yeah, I'm excited."

For the 49ers, a healthy Bosa could be the key to restoring a pass rush that fell short of expectations in 2025.]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Why Jack Bouwmeester hasn't joined the 49ers for OTAs yet https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200952-jack-bouwmeester-hasnt-joined-49ers/ Fri, 29 May 2026 12:43:00 PDT 2026-05-29T12:45:47-07:00 David Bonilla 9a234415de7515cc1bb45ebfd74c5d64
As the 49ers opened organized team activities (OTAs) this week, veteran Corliss Waitman has been the lone punter participating in practices.

The delay has nothing to do with Bouwmeester having second thoughts about joining San Francisco. Instead, the issue is purely logistical.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Bouwmeester is still waiting for his work visa to be processed before he can officially join the team.

"Bouwmeester ostensibly is competing with Corliss Waitman to be the 49ers' punter this season, but cannot join OTAs until the paperwork is processed," Barrows wrote.


Hopefully, for both Bouwmeester and the 49ers, the situation is resolved quickly so the rookie punter does not fall too far behind in the competition for the job.

Earlier this month, special teams coordinator Brant Boyer expressed excitement about the upcoming battle between Waitman and Bouwmeester.

"You have a veteran guy that's been in the league a while and is a very athletic guy, and interestingly enough, when he was coming out, I was trying to get him as a free agent," Boyer said of Waitman. "So, I had a previous relationship with the guy, with Waitman. He's a super good guy, got a real powerful leg, athletic guy."

The 49ers were equally impressed with Bouwmeester during the pre-draft evaluation process and moved aggressively to secure him after the draft.

"And then Bouwmeester, through all our tape studies, went and worked him out and everything like that, did a heck of a job for us," Boyer said. "I've known his coach for a long time and trust what he tells me as well. And we really liked him in our interviews and everything like that. I think it's going to be a great competition moving forward."]]> D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Are the 49ers being treated unfairly? The NFL schedule debate https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200950-treated-unfairly-nfl-schedule-debate/ Fri, 29 May 2026 12:28:00 PDT 2026-05-29T12:28:37-07:00 Jack Stewart 4edd5f729b801e6ae20dedaeb05c78e3
According to various sources, the 49ers will lead the league in travel mileage, racking up 37,862 air miles. Much of this is from the Week 1 game in Australia, but the Rams, their opponent there, will travel 3,000 miles less during the season. The Carolina Panthers will travel almost 30,000 miles less.

Of course, air mileage is greatly affected by the location of division rivals. The Niners have to fly to Seattle (1,417 miles) and Arizona (1,219 miles), while the Pittsburgh Steelers have to go 230, 392, and 513 miles to play division opponents Cleveland, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, respectively. That 1,135 miles combined is less than either the Cardinals or Seahawks trip alone.

But that is not the whole story. Setting aside the Rams game in Melbourne, the Niners play two games in the Eastern Time Zone and three in the Central Time Zone. That's five games outside their own time zone.

Add to that, the scheduling has the Niners playing at 1:00 p.m. for their games against the Falcons and Giants. That's two games at what would be 10:00 a.m. for their body clocks.

The NFL has been notorious for scheduling West Coast teams to play early games when they travel east, which is one reason the Niners started staying on the East Coast when they had back-to-back games there. (The Seahawks and Rams have only one such game this year.)

There is no excuse for not scheduling East Coast games at 4:15 or at night. There is always at least one late-afternoon game televised on Sundays and sometimes two. Considering there are only six teams (SF, Las Vegas, the LA Rams and LA Chargers, Seattle, and the Cardinals about half the season) who are on Pacific Time, and only two (Denver and Arizona the other half) on Mountain Time, there is no reason the league can't schedule any West Coast team for a late game.

In addition, the Niners play two international games without a true bye week after either of them. (The Australia game is mid-week, so only ten days rather than the normal two weeks when a bye week occurs in other parts of the season.)

The opponent matters, too. Clearly, whoever is designated the home team is getting long-term disadvantages because they lose their fans, and though the Niners are losing their edge in an away game (SoFi Stadium is called Levi's South for a reason), either opponent is losing a potential benefit. Because of that, teams in the same division should not play one another. The stakes are too high.

While the NFL seems to have done a decent job in that regard, with six of the international games between teams in different conferences, of the three games between conference opponents, the 49ers play two, one of which is against a division arch-rival.

(While the Jaguars play against a divisional opponent—the Texans in week 6—they are playing two international games in back-to-back weeks and will therefore be acclimated to the time. The Texans do not have that luxury.)

Considering the schedulers made the Niners play four games—a quarter of their contests—on a short week last year, is it any wonder the team was worn down at the end of the season? And at the very end, they played back-to-back short-week games, one of them for the top seed in the NFC. We'll never know if that final game against Seattle would have turned out differently if the Niners had not played on short rest two weeks in a row, but it didn't help. (Losing George Kittle was the bigger blow, but still.)

Now, is it collusion on the part of the other owners? Perhaps nothing one could prove in a court of law, but one has to wonder if Forty-Niner owner Jed York has done enough to pressure the league to change its ways. Yes, some owners have more clout than others—the Cowboys' Jerry Jones comes to mind—but York should do more.

He should speak loudly at the end of the year and again when those doing the scheduling are set to meet. If his team gets the short end of the stick anyway, he should get even louder. Other owners in the west would likely join him, and in a few years, the league might move away from its prejudices.

Fans might not like "loud-mouth" owners, but most reasonable fans would see the logic and not criticize.

More importantly, fans don't care how (supposedly) obnoxious their owner is if the result is winning games. Jed York needs to remember that and prioritize fairness. A division championship or conference seeding might be on the line. And that's worth speaking up about.]]> Corey Perrine-Imagn Images Colton McKivitz on 49ers' left guard battle: 'Connor Colby's come a long way' https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200948-colton-mckivitz-battle-connor-colbys/ Fri, 29 May 2026 11:15:56 PDT 2026-05-29T11:15:56-07:00 David Bonilla c59ff72fed498339ad3816e30b7543ec
San Francisco selected Carver Willis in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Although Willis played tackle in college, the 49ers are transitioning him to guard. The team also added veteran Robert Jones this offseason to compete for the starting role.

"It's a different game inside in little ways," Willis said. "Things get on you quicker. Guys are a little bit bigger, so that adjustment, I think, will be interesting."

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle recently suggested that it would be somewhat disappointing if Willis does not emerge as the Week 1 starter.

"It would be at least a mild disappointment if Willis isn't the season-opening starter at left guard," Branch wrote. "If the 49ers felt strongly about his top competitors, Connor Colby and Robert Jones, they wouldn't have selected Willis."

However, right tackle Colton McKivitz believes Connor Colby should not be overlooked in the competition. The 2025 seventh-round draft pick experienced an up-and-down rookie season but—at times—flashed potential while filling in at left guard.

In six starts last season, Colby struggled in pass protection, never earning a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade higher than 47.7. Still, he showed promise as a run blocker, posting grades of 71.9 and 80.3 in two of those starts.

McKivitz believes the experience Colby gained during his rookie campaign will help him take a significant leap in Year 2.

"I think Connor Colby's come a long way," McKivitz said on Thursday. "I think you never know how your rookie season is going to go. It can be really good or really bad, and you learn a lot. You're kind of flying by the seat of your pants, and you don't really have a whole lot of technique. You're just thrown in, and it's a whirlwind.

"So to see him play a lot faster right now—obviously it's OTAs, we're not hitting. We'll obviously see in July, but to see him kind of come out of his rookie season and take a breath, and then now come in a little more rejuvenated, understands the scheme a little more, to see him come out and play faster, it's good to see, just a great guy."

McKivitz also acknowledged that the battle for the starting left guard job will be highly competitive once training camp begins.

"Obviously, you're going to have Rob Jones, another explosive guy coming out of Miami," McKivitz said. "So it's going to be a fun battle in July for that spot, but I think we've got some guys who can fill in that role."]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 49ers DT Osa Odighizuwa impressing Kyle Shanahan: 'He's been a stud' https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200947-49ers-odighizuwa-impressing-kyle-shanahan/ Fri, 29 May 2026 10:40:09 PDT 2026-05-29T10:40:09-07:00 David Bonilla 7cd39fca74284742ec6ccc8f536b8804
The 49ers completed the deal in March, sending a 2026 third-round draft pick to Dallas in exchange for the veteran defensive lineman.

During his five seasons with the Cowboys, Odighizuwa recorded 216 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 81 quarterback hits, 17 sacks, one pass defensed, and two forced fumbles, according to Pro Football Reference.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear the 49ers expect Odighizuwa to make an immediate impact.

"I've been extremely impressed with him since the day he got here," Shanahan said. "I've heard about it, it was advertised. I always knew about him just from tape. Once we traded for him, all the phone calls we got of the type of guy he is."

Although Odighizuwa is new to San Francisco's locker room, Shanahan said the defensive tackle has already emerged as one of the team's leaders. His presence could prove especially valuable for the 49ers' younger defensive tackles, including Alfred Collins, CJ West, and rookie Gracen Halton.

"But he's been one of the best leaders on the team so far," Shanahan added. "Just how he works, how thorough he is on everything, what he does on his own, bringing guys along with him. Everyone from Dallas told us this, and it's been that way. He's been a stud."

Odighizuwa will also have an opportunity to face his former team during the regular season. The 49ers are scheduled to host the Cowboys in Week 10, a matchup the defensive tackle already has circled on his calendar.

Having spent years on the opposite side of the rivalry, Odighizuwa understands the importance of the matchup.

"It's a game that you got a picture on a dartboard, and you're throwing the knife at the picture," Odighizuwa recently told former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman. "Now, I just take down the picture, and I put up the other picture, and I'm on the other side of it, but the energy is exactly the same."

The 49ers are hoping Odighizuwa can help revitalize a defensive front that struggled in 2025. San Francisco earned a 39.6 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus last season, the lowest mark in the NFL. The team's pass rush also graded (62.9) among the league's bottom six and finished with an NFL-low 20 sacks.

With additions like Odighizuwa, the 49ers believe their defensive line can return to being a formidable unit.]]> Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images 49ers rookie Kaelon Black 'catching' on during OTAs https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200946-49ers-rookie-kaelon-black-catching/ Fri, 29 May 2026 09:53:23 PDT 2026-05-29T09:53:23-07:00 David Bonilla ae4c3633f854df70b5e08e0377a90ac1
Head coach Kyle Shanahan understands that developing Black's receiving skills will take time, but the early signs during organized team activities (OTAs) have been encouraging.

The 49ers opened OTAs this week, and Black has already shown flashes of being more than just a traditional runner out of the backfield.

"I see a guy that I think could be developed in the pass game," Shanahan said on Thursday. "We definitely were excited about him, and the first thing we loved about him was him as a runner. But we've gotten a lot of guys here who didn't start out great in the pass game. They have the skill set to do it; they just haven't worked at it that much."

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area noted that quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Black on two consecutive plays during Thursday's practice. The first was an impressive fingertip catch by the rookie, further highlighting his potential as a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Shanahan pointed to former 49ers running backs Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell as examples of players who improved significantly as receiving threats after arriving in San Francisco.

"I thought those guys got a lot better, and I see Kaelon being the same way," Shanahan added. "He's got the skills to do it, just needs to work at it."

Christian McCaffrey remains firmly entrenched as the 49ers' starting running back, while Black is competing for a larger role behind the All-Pro veteran. So far, McCaffrey has been impressed with what he has seen from the rookie.

"He's been great," McCaffrey said. "He's been everything you would want in a rookie—super attentive in meetings, does everything right, has a bunch of talent, and complements our room really well."

McCaffrey has also taken time to mentor the first-year running back as he adjusts to life in the NFL, and he's noticed that Black is a quick learner.

"He's somebody that's so eager to learn, and so we've had a couple of conversations outside of practice on different things that I'm seeing," McCaffrey said. "But what I see in him already, and it's been just a few weeks, is he can pick things up so quickly. It doesn't take him long. Once he does something or once you tell him something, he knows how to correct it, knows how to fix it, and he's a true football player.

"As he just continues to be at practice and get these reps, he'll learn all this stuff on his own as well."

With OTAs underway, Black appears to be making an early impression as the 49ers evaluate their backfield depth heading into the 2026 NFL season.]]> Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images 49ers' George Kittle sounds off on potential 18-game NFL season https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200943-george-kittle-potential-18-game-nfl/ Fri, 29 May 2026 09:07:25 PDT 2026-05-29T09:07:25-07:00 David Bonilla bdba39e1c269a8c020e7ea32c94e86c8
Like many players, however, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is not enthusiastic about the idea. The veteran star pointed to the physical toll of the current schedule as an issue.

However, Kittle shared what he believes would make players more open to an 18-game season.

"Number one, you've got to have an extra bye, regardless," Kittle told Baker Machado of Front Office Sports. "The season's too long as it is. I think 16 games was perfect. They added an extra game for more TV stuff, which, hey, I get it. It makes everybody more money. If you're going to add an 18th game, you've got to add an extra bye."

Kittle also addressed the financial side of a longer season, arguing that players should be compensated differently if another game is added to the schedule.

"The one thing that didn't really make sense to me is you signed a contract to play 16 games," Kittle explained. "They added the 17th game, and you don't get paid any more money. Your paycheck just gets cut an extra time. So you're making 17 paychecks instead of 16.

"So, in my opinion, if you just bumped up the payment a little bit for that last game instead of just cutting it again, I think guys would be more interested in that as well.

"But, for me, it's like, you can't keep doing this because the game's hard enough as it is. If you look back to last year, the amount of players who were hurt, it was actually insane. Let's take care of the guys a little bit here."

The 49ers tight end also expressed concern that the NFL could oversaturate the sport. Over the years, the league has steadily expanded its television footprint, with games broadcast across multiple days of the week and on streaming platforms.

In addition to the traditional Sunday and Monday slate, the NFL now features games on Thursdays, Saturdays, Thanksgiving, the day before Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, and other standalone windows throughout the season.

"Playing on the holidays is really fun, but when you have a game on a Wednesday, a Thursday, a Friday, a Saturday, and a Sunday—football was always fun to me growing up because you'd have to wait until Sunday, and then you'd get Monday night, which was a blessing," Kittle said. "And then they added Thursday Night Football, which is fun, and as a vet, I thoroughly enjoy Thursday Night Football.

"But now, you get games on Black Friday, now you get games on Saturdays, and it's just like, I don't know, I don't want to overdo football to people. I think making it special means a lot."

Kittle's opinion is likely shared by many NFL players who worry about player safety, recovery time, and maintaining the overall quality of the game as the NFL continues to chase additional revenue opportunities.

]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Kyle Shanahan on 49ers WR Mike Evans: 'I haven't had many guys like that' https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200932-kyle-shanahan-49ers-evans-havent/ Thu, 28 May 2026 19:01:50 PDT 2026-05-28T19:01:50-07:00 David Bonilla f83f5dc3f2c0d96310cc824d03a9b1b8
"Mike's a Hall-of-Fame receiver, so his experience of the game, what he's done in this league, just the respect he's earned—that's different," Shanahan said. "I haven't had many guys like that except for former NFL WR Andre Johnson and former NFL WR Julio Jones , just with the career he's had so far."

Although Evans is no longer in his prime, the veteran receiver continues to prove he can be a highly productive weapon. Aside from an injury-plagued 2025 season, Evans surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 NFL campaigns from 2014 through 2024.

Evans' 108 career receiving touchdowns rank 10th all-time in NFL history, and another productive season could move him even higher on the league's all-time list.

The 49ers' wide receiver room underwent major offseason changes, with Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore departing. In addition, Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his final snap with San Francisco.

To address those losses, the 49ers signed Evans and Christian Kirk while also selecting De'Zhaun Stribling with their top draft pick. They will join returning wideouts Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins.

"They all came back healthy," Shanahan said of the returning trio. "I was really excited how Jordan and Jake came back, though. You could tell they came back—it wasn't just healthy. You could tell they've been putting work in, and coming in here, in shape and stuff, has allowed them to get a lot further ahead in these five weeks than just coming here to get in shape. They've come here, to me, to play and work."

While Evans may not be a long-term solution at wide receiver, he immediately gives quarterback Brock Purdy another proven playmaker in the passing game. His rare blend of size, length, and downfield ability makes him a unique fit in Shanahan's offense.

"And just what's unique about Mike is his get-off, how he can attack down the field, and I've never been around a guy that is that tall with that long of arms, the competitor he is," Shanahan said. "So, I'm excited to have the person in our offense and the talent."]]> Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Dre Greenlaw opens up on 49ers return and reunion with Fred Warner https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200929-greenlaw-opens-return-reunion-warner/ Thu, 28 May 2026 17:40:00 PDT 2026-05-28T17:40:00-07:00 David Bonilla a31d73cf1ff02a5fc8ffb2853bcea9d6
Perhaps most importantly, Greenlaw is reunited with All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, a pairing the 49ers hope can once again form one of the NFL's top defensive duos.

"It just feels like normal," Greenlaw said. "I mean, just to be beside a guy like Fred, just always locked in, just his love for the game, it just radiates throughout the whole team.

"His leadership and his voice, that's the main thing. He's the voice on the defense, and you got somebody like that, just confident right next to you, it just kind of settles you down. So, it just feels like normal."

Greenlaw said returning to the 49ers organization has brought back a strong sense of familiarity and comfort.

"Just an unbelievable feeling, just missing the guys, missing the organization, missing just everybody, all the workers in the organization, the coaches. It's just a sense of feeling like home," he said.

When asked whether he explored other opportunities after his stint with Denver, Greenlaw made it clear where his focus was.

"I didn't think about nowhere else, honestly," he said. "It could have been an option , if returning wasn't a possibility, but I was coming back here."

Greenlaw also expressed no regrets about his brief time with the Broncos, noting that the experience gave him a new perspective on what the 49ers organization means to him. San Francisco made a late push to retain him originally, but he had already verbally committed to Denver and chose to honor that decision.

Leaving the team that drafted him in the fifth round in 2019 was difficult, but Greenlaw said the experience ultimately reinforced his appreciation for the 49ers' culture and environment.

"It gives you a different perspective on how much the building really means, how much the people inside the building mean to you, how much that passion you play for isn't just for the love of the game, but it's for the love of the building, as well," Greenlaw said. "So, it just gives you a little bit of reality and just, okay, why do you play the game of football?"

Now back in San Francisco, Greenlaw emphasized that the standard within the organization differs from that elsewhere, which drew him back to the team.

"Even when I was gone, I knew that San Fran was still going to have the capability of getting to the playoffs, getting to the Super Bowl, whatever is in store for them," Greenlaw said. "And that's just because of the guys that's on the team. You've got the best leadership, just a great quality of guys here. You don't get that too many places."]]> Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports 49ers OTAs: Kyle Shanahan sets clear goals https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200925-49ers-otas-shanahan-clear-goals/ Thu, 28 May 2026 16:58:57 PDT 2026-05-28T16:58:57-07:00 David Bonilla a3973a0e9e15aa7bc55d9b628c992b77
Several veteran players were held out of Thursday's practice. Quarterback Brock Purdy participated, while others—including wide receiver Mike Evans, running back Christian McCaffrey, linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, and offensive tackle Trent Williams—did not take part.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that OTAs are voluntary, adding that Evans was absent for personal reasons but is expected to return next week.

As expected, several players recovering from injuries also remained sidelined, including defensive linemen Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Keion White, as well as tight end George Kittle.

Shanahan made clear the primary objectives for OTAs and the upcoming mandatory minicamp.

"To not get anyone hurt, and find any way to get better with everything we do," Shanahan said. "There's a lot of things at this time of year that I always feel, in order to get better at football, the true way, you've got to practice football full speed. And we're working through a lot of that stuff right now, where you learn how to do that.

"There are certain things with rules and things with safety that we can't fully go by, so our whole goal is to get as much out of this as we can while still protecting everyone."

Shanahan said he has been encouraged by the first two practices of the week.

"We're just trying to get the guys out there, get them introduced to the offense and stuff," Shanahan said. "And got through two healthy days, which is the biggest goal, and I thought we were better today than yesterday."

OTAs run through June 4, and the 49ers' two-day mandatory minicamp begins on June 9. This marks the final stretch of on-field work before the team breaks until training camp in late July.]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images 49ers reunion? Nick Bosa, Kyle Shanahan address Joey Bosa interest https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200923-49ers-reunion-shanahan-address-interest/ Thu, 28 May 2026 16:29:00 PDT 2026-05-28T16:29:00-07:00 David Bonilla 7e314d64fadfa8dcd4b8efbb7e918498
Despite the fit on paper, questions remain about whether a move is realistic given Bosa's age (30) and declining production. The five-time Pro Bowler has recorded just five sacks in each of the past two seasons. He is clearly at the tail end of his career.

On Thursday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive end Nick Bosa addressed the possibility of bringing Joey Bosa to Santa Clara.

"I love signing good players," Shanahan said. "My kids do Instagram and look at you guys' stuff, so they ask me that all the time, too. I'm not hearing about all that stuff much."

Shanahan emphasized that while he would always be open to adding proven talent like Joey Bosa, roster moves of that magnitude are not always feasible.

"I look at our team as kind of we have our team, and anyone else that we can figure out to bring, especially someone like that, that would be awesome," Shanahan said. "But that stuff's not always possible."

Nick Bosa was also asked about the possibility of his older brother joining the 49ers—or whether Joey's playing days might even be complete.

"I think he's working on his golf game right now," Nick Bosa said. "So, I don't think he's thinking too much about football."]]> Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 49ers plan joint practices with Titans, Chargers; international travel plans revealed https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200922-practices-titans-chargers-international-revealed/ Thu, 28 May 2026 16:10:00 PDT 2026-05-28T16:10:00-07:00 David Bonilla 3047f15c39b2b89de441dc0dcc3e081a
Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Thursday that the 49ers are planning joint practices with both the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers ahead of their preseason matchups. The Titans are San Francisco's lone home opponent during the preseason, while the Chargers will host the 49ers in Southern California.

Although the 49ers will not face the Titans during the regular season, they are scheduled to play the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 15. Shanahan said the upcoming regular-season matchup will not affect how the teams approach their preseason practices together.

"You stay pretty vanilla," Shanahan explained. "You're not scheming and stuff and doing stuff in practice. It's just more getting guys a chance to go against a couple of different things than they usually go against."

49ers' plans for Australia game


The 49ers will open the 2026 regular season with an international matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. The trip presents a major logistical challenge, with Melbourne more than 7,800 miles from San Jose and a travel time of roughly 19 hours.

According to Shanahan, the 49ers are aiming to arrive in Australia about seven days before kickoff to help players and staff adjust to the significant time-zone difference. That means leaving the Bay Area even earlier.

"I think we leave on Wednesday and land on a Friday," Shanahan said. "And so, then, we get there about seven days before our game. I think it's ... Friday morning Australian time, Thursday here."

49ers' plans for Mexico City game


The 49ers are also continuing to finalize plans for their second international game of the season—a Week 11 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City.

Shanahan emphasized that the biggest concern for that trip is adjusting to the altitude.

"The main thing with Mexico City is it's 2,000 miles higher than Denver, and so we like to get adjusted to that altitude," Shanahan said. "So, we'll probably go to Colorado Springs again, like we did last time, to get ready for that altitude, and then probably go to Mexico City the night before."

Will the 49ers head directly to Colorado Springs following their Week 10 road game against the Dallas Cowboys?

"We haven't decided that yet, but most likely," Shanahan said. "The Mexico City trip will probably be a longer one than the Australia one, just because of that."]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images 49ers injury notes: Isaac Guerendo setback; Nick Bosa, George Kittle updates; Mac Jones doesn't throw https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200919-injury-guerendo-setback-george-updates/ Thu, 28 May 2026 15:40:00 PDT 2026-05-29T11:43:40-07:00 David Bonilla e56acab99d7d33556eb18bb01d5f9592

Isaac Guerendo suffers offseason setback


It was already expected to be a competitive battle for touches in the 49ers' running back room in 2026. Now, second-year running back Isaac Guerendo faces another obstacle after suffering an offseason injury setback.

"Guerendo tore his pectoral lifting (weights) about a month ago," Shanahan said.

The coach added, "It's not a season-ender, but it's right around the end of training camp."

Veteran running back Christian McCaffrey shared his thoughts on Guerendo's injury while praising the young player's mindset during recovery.

"Sometimes, this game is super unfortunate," McCaffrey said. "He was working his butt off all offseason, and sometimes it's that freak stuff that happens, where you strain something training in the weight room or something. It's unfortunate, but he's got the best attitude. He's coming in every single day with a smile, still working just as hard, and it's not a season-ending injury.

"He'll be back, so it's also perspective. As much as he's down, he knows that he will be back for the season, so I think there's also some enthusiasm there."

Updates on Nick Bosa, Keion White, and Mykel Williams


Shanahan was also asked about the recovery progress of defensive linemen Nick Bosa, Keion White, and Mykel Williams. Bosa and Williams are working their way back from ACL injuries suffered last season, while White underwent ankle surgery after suffering a gunshot injury.

"They're coming along," Shanahan said. "They're all in their rehab with a number of other guys. A couple of those guys will have a chance at training camp, and we'll see with Mykel as it goes."

Speaking with reporters, Bosa admitted the recovery process has been lengthy but said he is encouraged by his progress.

"I'm pretty far along," Bosa said. "I'm out on the field doing a lot of stuff, trying to just take it slow because I tend to push things quicker. Obviously, I got injured pretty early last year, so there's plenty of time for me to really kind of lay the groundwork to be ready for a long season.

"So, yeah, it's going really well, and I plan on being ready."

George Kittle progressing well


Tight end George Kittle has repeatedly stated that his goal is to be ready when the 49ers open the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Kittle is recovering from a torn Achilles suffered during San Francisco's playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Shanahan sounded optimistic about the veteran tight end's recovery.

"He's on track and very positive and happy every day, like Kittle is, and doing good," Shanahan said. "Kittle works his tail off, and he's extremely talented and gifted, so he'll do it as fast as he can."

Why Mac Jones didn't throw at practice


Mac Jones received a pay raise from the 49ers, and many expected to see Brock Purdy's primary backup participate during Thursday's practice. However, Jones did not throw during the session.

According to Shanahan, the decision was precautionary.

"His shoulder was a little sore today," Shanahan explained. "He said he could have gone through it, but it was unnecessary, and it gave a chance for other guys to get more reps."]]> Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images Watch: 49ers return to the practice field for Day 2 of OTAs https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200911-watch-49ers-return-practice-field/ Thu, 28 May 2026 13:57:00 PDT 2026-05-28T14:06:24-07:00 David Bonilla 3d3912514fff02ddfdfd041f3dfbec6e Wednesday's opening session was closed to the media, reporters were allowed to observe the second day of offseason workouts.

Several videos and highlights from practice were shared by those in attendance, offering an early look at the 49ers as they continue to install schemes and evaluate players.

Here are some samples of the videos and clips from Thursday's OTA session.


The 49ers will continue OTAs through June 4 before holding a mandatory two-day minicamp beginning June 9. Those practices will mark the team's final organized on-field work before training camp opens in late July.]]> D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images 49ers make several roster moves during OTAs, add two running backs https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200910-49ers-several-roster-moves-running/ Thu, 28 May 2026 13:37:00 PDT 2026-05-28T15:07:19-07:00 David Bonilla acae3f334199868e0b4e60d5c3961d56
Signed
  • RB Jordan Mims
  • RB Jermar Jefferson

Waived
  • RB Sincere McCormick

Placed on injured reserve
  • DB Darrick Forrest

The roster activity comes during the early stages of offseason workouts. OTAs began on Wednesday and will continue through early June before the team transitions into mandatory minicamp.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.


Jefferson (5-10, 215) was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round (257th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Lions (2021-25), Tennessee Titans (2025), and Arizona Cardinals (2025-26), he has appeared in 11 games and totaled 21 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns, and added five receptions for 33 yards. In 2025, Jefferson appeared in two games with the Cardinals.

A 26-year-old native of Harbor City, CA, Jefferson attended Oregon State University for three seasons (2018-20), where he appeared in 27 games (21 starts) and registered 514 carries for 2,923 yards (7.0 average) and 27 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 43 receptions for 299 yards (7.0 average) and two touchdowns through the air. He earned Co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Pac-12 honors as a junior in 2020 and Freshman All-American Honors in 2018.

Mims (6-0, 205) originally entered the NFL after signing with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. Throughout his three-year NFL career with the Bills (2023), New Orleans Saints (2023-2025), and Tennessee Titans (2025), he has appeared in 14 games and registered 20 carries for 70 yards and added 12 receptions for 71 yards. In 2025, Jefferson appeared in one game with the Titans.

A 26-year-old native of Atherton, CA, Mims attended Fresno State University for six seasons (2017-22), where he appeared in 60 games (25 starts), registered 680 carries for 3,290 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 91 receptions for 971 yards (10.7 average) and eight touchdowns through the air.

Forrest (5-11, 200) signed a Reserve/Future contract with the team on January 20, 2026.

McCormick (5-8, 204) originally signed with the team on April 28, 2026.]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 49ers add RB Jordan Mims as OTAs get underway https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200909-49ers-jordan-mims-otas-underway/ Thu, 28 May 2026 13:13:00 PDT 2026-05-28T13:14:56-07:00 David Bonilla 7b2eb24e89ece0f4fe531bdd3ac77bf6

Mims joins the 49ers as the team begins organized team activities (OTAs) this week, adding another body to a crowded running back room that already includes Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and others.

The Buffalo Bills originally signed Mims (5-10, 205) as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2023. He spent time with both the Bills and the New Orleans Saints during his rookie season and remained with New Orleans through 2024. Mims later signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2025.

During the 2025 season, Mims appeared in one game for the Titans but did not record any offensive statistics. However, he recorded one kickoff return for 19 yards on special teams.

In 2024 with the Saints, Mims recorded 20 rushing attempts for 70 yards while adding 12 receptions for 71 receiving yards. Over three NFL seasons, he has appeared in 14 games.]]> Scott Kinser-Imagn Images Two 49ers named among NFL's most underrated players https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200908-49ers-named-among-underrated-players/ Thu, 28 May 2026 11:42:22 PDT 2026-05-28T11:42:22-07:00 David Bonilla fcb1ee41e307948d33e88ba48e33abc7 12 of the NFL's most underrated players from the 2025 season, and the list included two San Francisco 49ers contributors.

Infante utilized PFSN's Impact Scoring metric, which assigns a numerical value to measure each player's annual efficiency. That metric spotlighted two 49ers standouts: quarterback Brock Purdy and offensive tackle Colton McKivitz.

Infante noted that Purdy led the NFL in PFSN QB Impact Scoring last season, an impressive accomplishment for a player whose critics often attribute his success to head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system rather than his individual ability.

"When he was healthy, he was incredible in 2025," Infante wrote. "He placed in the top six in completion percentage, passing yards per game, net YPA, percentage of throws resulting in a touchdown, and lowest sack percentage. Purdy also led the NFL with a 57.1% third-down conversion rate, making him one of only two quarterbacks to reach 50%."

A turf toe injury shortened Purdy's 2025 campaign, but he still started nine games and helped lead the 49ers to a playoff berth. He finished the season completing 69.4% of his passes for 2,167 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

For McKivitz, the 2025 season marked arguably the strongest performance of his career, especially for a player who has often received mixed evaluations from the fan base.

While he was not dominant in pass protection, McKivitz earned a solid 72.6 grade in that area from Pro Football Focus. His career-best 84.2 overall offensive grade and 90.4 run-blocking grade are notable improvements from his 2024 marks of 72.2 and 68.6, respectively.

Infante credited much of the 49ers' offensive success to McKivitz's continued development.

"The 49ers ranked fourth in the NFL in PFSN Offense Impact Scoring, so it's no surprise to see an anchor of their offense like Colton McKivitz grading well," Infante wrote. "In particular, Christian McCaffrey averaged 5.0 yards per carry running behind McKivitz in 2025. He only averaged 3.9 yards per carry for the whole season, which speaks to how well McKivitz blocked. He ended up with the second-highest PFSN OL Impact Score among all NFL tackles at 91.4."

If both players continue on their current trajectory, they could take on even larger roles in the 49ers' push for success in 2026.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images