The San Francisco 49ers are looking to get back on the horse after last year’s dismal 6-11 result. Coach Kyle Shanahan went in on ’em with an emotional speech at the end-of-season meeting back in January. He hinted at a fresh start for the team. With significant roster turnover expected, the 49ers have embraced a fresh approach, setting the stage for renewed hope as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
Now that the offseason is winding down, the 49ers have made roster competition a top priority. At last count, the team had 36 players with < 2 years NFL experience on their current 90-man roster. This youth movement is indicative of a deep, strategic change. It’s intended to enhance the immediate success of the team while establishing a solid base for sustained excellence.
The franchise has made concrete moves to lock up its core pieces, booking players like Desmond and Gonzalez to long-term, big-money contract extensions. On April 29, TE George Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension. This move cements his dedication to Tampa as one of the initiatives in support of its grassroots establishment. That’s simply not true, as evidenced by quarterback Brock Purdy’s five-year, $265 million contract. At the same time, linebacker Fred Warner secured a three-year, $63 million extension. Collectively, these agreements total more than $404 million in investments to support the foundation of the current championship-contending team.
For all these high-profile signings, Shanahan stressed that agreeing to terms at the start of free agency didn’t change the tone in the locker room much.
“It’s always annoying when it goes into camp and especially when you’re going into a first week and stuff like that, but that’s not something that really affects the team right now,” – Kyle Shanahan
Either way, Shanahan’s vision for this roster has been clear all offseason long. He expected that the team would have to be flexible and develop following last year’s underwhelming result.
“I talked about how the season ended the year before and how when I felt them all come back, I felt guys weren’t ready to come back,” – Kyle Shanahan
Beyond contract negotiations, the 49ers have opened their arms to veterans who want to rejoin the team. Star veterans like Trent Williams and Nick Bosa were very involved in the early goings of the offseason program. Their presence has been key in creating a welcoming atmosphere to the many new and excited faces that have joined the team.
In his statement, Kittle sounded hopeful about the cultural changes being made within the organization. He emphasized that players of the highest caliber setting the right example is key to bringing in the next wave of talent.
“When all your best players are here, kind of setting the tone, setting an example specifically because we have so many new guys, whether it’s free agents, whether it’s young guys, rookies, we’re trying to get them in that same mindset that we have established,” – George Kittle
“It’s just so important that we’re just around each other a lot doing little different activities and continuing to build chemistry,” – Brock Purdy
Yet the most confounding obstacle for the team has been the inconsistent return of players recovering from injuries. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey faring very well in his recovery. Now, for a second deep threat behind Aiyuk, the rookie-wideout class in 2023 looks awfully tempting. Their well-being will be central to the 49ers as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season on the pitch.
Amidst this backdrop of change and anticipation, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek highlighted rookie Mykel Williams’ eagerness to learn and adapt to the team’s culture. Williams’ positive attitude has impressed both Kocurek and Bosa, showcasing the potential for growth within the squad.
With the regular season nearing and the buzz about the team growing, Shanahan is still intent on developing a winning culture in the building. He admits that there is a long road ahead filled with challenges, but they are determined to make it the kind of place where success is possible.
“And it’s something that we have to reestablish every single year. The vibes are high. I would say they’re immaculate and guys are practicing well, guys are competing,” – George Kittle
Leave a Reply