News 49ers Team Notes

[San Francisco 49ers]

Malik Mustapha’s encouraging progress helps explain 49ers’ inactivity in free agent safety market

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The 49ers’ second-year safety appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL

Malik Mustapha is showing encouraging signs in his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in the final game of last season. The 49ers safety recently posted a video of a workout suggesting he is ahead of schedule as he works to get back onto the field.

Mustapha is expected to miss the start of the 2025 season, which has made the 49ers’ decision to so far not dip back into the veteran safety market, which still features the likes of Justin Simmons, Julian Blackmon and Jordan Whitehead – who played under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in New York – all the more curious.

The 49ers do have a lot of safeties. In addition to Mustapha and 2023 third-round pick Ji’Ayir Brown, San Francisco also has Jason Pinnock, Richie Grant and rookie fifth-round pick Marques Sigle on the depth chart, along with special teamer George Odum and Jaylen Mahoney.

While the 49ers have depth at safety. It’s dubious to suggest they have strength in depth. Brown and Mustapha would be the presumptive starters with both healthy, but none of the the options outside of that duo project much confidence.

Only Pinnock and Grant have anything resembling significant starting experience, while Odum proved extremely vulnerable in coverage when he started briefly for the 49ers at the beginning of last season.

Saleh, though, appears to have great confidence in Pinnock, whom he drafted for the Jets in 2021 before losing him to the Giants in 2022. The Jets waived Pinnock as part of final roster cuts and were unable to sneak him onto the practice squad.

Asked about Pinnock earlier this month, Saleh said:

“We drafted J.P. as a corner and halfway through his rookie year we moved him over to safety. Credit some of the guys at the Jets that are still there, just kind of beat him out in that second year. But I’ve always been a fan of his athleticism, his length, his football IQ. He’s a really good football player and just being with him over the course of the first couple of months, he’s grown significantly from a maturity standpoint and he’s attacked the heck out of it. He’s going for it. So, with Jason, you’re getting a guy that’s going to add athleticism and speed and football IQ to your football team. And now that’s just a matter of him competing and holding onto it.”

Saleh’s faith in Pinnock to potentially hold the fort in Mustapha’s absence will likely be increased by the seemingly limited time in which he will need to do so, and the schedule the 49ers face in the opening weeks of the season.

The likelihood is that Mustapha will start the year on the PUP list, ruling him out of the first four games. In Week 1, the 49ers face a Seattle Seahawks offense led by Sam Darnold. Darold had success in the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 2 win over the 49ers last season, but San Francisco will be confident of curtailing his effectiveness if the defensive line can win its matchups up front.

The 49ers then face a New Orleans Saints offense set to be quarterbacked by Tyler Shough, before meeting the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars. Both the Cardinals and Jags have extremely talented quarterbacks and some imposing offensive weapons, but neither attack could be considered a juggernaut last season.

As such, there could be a line of thinking within the 49er organization that there is little point bringing in another veteran safety who will likely want to start the entire season when there is a decent chance of surviving the first four games without Mustapha by relying on a deputy whom Saleh knows well.

If a longer lay-off was on the cards for Mustapha, another safety signing might have been more of a possibility. However, with Mustapha seemingly motoring towards a return, the 49ers will probably be content to take their chances with Pinnock to start the year.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...ess-49ers-inactivity-free-agent-safety-market

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

1 candidate to improve at every position in 2025: Offense

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The 49ers need some major improvements from players to bounce back in 2025.

The San Francisco 49ers are all about internal improvement this offseason, as they let go of several veterans and watched others walk in free agency without making any major moves.

With a focus on getting younger, the 49ers instead pivoted to the draft, where they tied for an NFL-high of 11 selections, with a good crop of potential starters coming into the organization.

2024 wasn’t the year that San Francisco expected, as they had their worst season in the Kyle Shanahan era. But, many are optimistic that the 49ers will bounce back in 2025, as they’re currently the favorites to win the NFC West.

To do so, they’ll need some improvements from several players. So, let’s identify one candidate to improve at every position in 2025, starting with the offense.

Quarterback: Brock Purdy​

Well, there aren’t that many candidates, given that Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen are no longer on the roster. But, even if they were, Brock Purdy would be the logical answer.

After a strong 2023 campaign where he led the league in several efficiency metrics, Purdy didn’t have as good of a season last year, throwing for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

The quarterback didn’t have Brandon Aiyuk or Christian McCaffrey for much of the year, which resulted in fewer deep completions and checkdowns. As a result, Purdy was more reliant on his legs to create plays, looking to make magic happen.

The numbers were still fairly solid, but there’s definitely room for growth in 2025 as the 49ers return to full strength, which Purdy himself has acknowledged.

Running Back: Christian McCaffrey​

I was tempted to go with Isaac Guerendo, who should step into a bigger role as the RB2.

But, the candidate to improve has to be Christian McCaffrey, whose unavailability significantly hindered the 49ers' offense in 2024. McCaffrey is San Francisco’s best weapon regardless of position, and the run game took a clear hit with his absence.

He saw just four games of action last season, rushing for only four yards per carry in the worst year of his career.

Reports suggest that McCaffrey is looking fresh so far this offseason, which is a good sign for the offense. If he can stay healthy, the 49ers offense should look better in 2025, both on the ground and in the air.

Wide Receiver: Ricky Pearsall​

This could be Brandon Aiyuk for similar reasons as McCaffrey. But, quite frankly, we don’t know the timeline of when Aiyuk will be back or how exactly he’ll look upon his return.

So, the candidate to improve is Ricky Pearsall, who had a tumultuous rookie season that finished on a high note.

The potential with Pearsall is clearly there. Now, it’s time to take advantage of a full offseason and continue gaining that rapport with Brock Purdy.

The issue for the 2024 first-round pick has been injuries. Pearsall missed a part of organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp with an injury, but will be back for training camp.

If he can stay healthy, he’s bound for a bigger role in the offense in 2025.

Tight End: Brayden Willis​

George Kittle had a phenomenal 2024 season. So, he’s not the best candidate for an improvement. And Luke Farrell just arrived in San Francisco.

So, we’re going further down the roster to Brayden Willis, who played in 10 games last season primarily on special teams.

Kittle and Farrell will be the No. 1 and No. 2 tight ends, so Willis’s ceiling appears to be the No. 3 spot over Ross Dwelley. To earn the spot, he’ll have to show continued growth as a blocker and perhaps have some work at fullback in a hybrid role.

The 49ers have usually carried at least three tight ends, so there’s a spot for Willis to earn on the active roster. He’s the best candidate to improve, given the circumstances.

Offensive Line: Trent Williams​

This one was an interesting decision.

The 49ers have a clear-cut younger candidate who should see growth in right guard Dominick Puni. They also have Colton McKivitz, entering his third year as a starter, and Ben Bartch, who could be a first-year starter.

But, surprisingly, I’m going with Trent Williams for a few reasons.

Of course, there’s the health aspect. Williams played in just 10 games last year, missing out on the final seven, while also dealing with nagging injuries when on the field. Health has been an issue for him, as he hasn’t played a full season in over a decade.

But, there was also the fact that his play declined last season, albeit that could very well be due to the injuries.

Williams’s play has slowly slipped over the past two seasons, although that’s still good enough to be one of the best tackles in the NFL. But, he’s got room to grow coming off a healthy offseason where the 49ers have made sure to load manage effectively so far.

When he’s healthy, Williams is a force and opens up the 49ers’ run game. But, he needs to stay healthy for at least 14-15 games, especially considering the team’s depth at tackle.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...at-every-position-in-2025-offense-brock-purdy

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Ricky Pearsall reveals key improvement he expects to make in second 49ers season

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Ricky Pearsall was gaining momentum when his rookie year came to an end, and the 49ers receiver is confident he can shine in year two.

Ricky Pearsall heads into year two of his NFL career under significant pressure to take a big step forward and establish himself as a critical element of the 49ers’ passing game.

Through no fault of his own, 2024 first-round pick Pearsall saw his rookie season extremely disrupted, with his debut delayed until Week 7 after he was shot through the chest in an attempted armed robbery in August.

Understandably, Pearsall needed some time to shake off the rust after somehow escaping that incident with no injuries to his organs. However, by the end of the season, he looked to have established an excellent rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, racking up 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns over the final two weeks.

Having found his stride at the culmination of the 49ers’ disappointing 6-11 season, Pearsall conceded to being frustrated at having to leave for the offseason just as he was starting to shine.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, Pearsall said: “For me, it felt like the season was short, missing the first half of the season. I was ready for more games, especially when I was building momentum like that through the games and getting more comfortable.”

Pearsall will hope to build on the flashes he displayed in the closing weeks of his rookie year in the 2025 campaign, in which he is likely to take on greatly increased importance within the 49er passing game following the departure of Deebo Samuel. With Brandon Aiyuk’s return date uncertain, Pearsall could be the 49ers’ number one wideout to start the season.

And he believes he is set to make a crucial improvement that could allow him to shine in that capacity.

“I’m obviously more comfortable in my environment,” Pearsall added. “I know my teammates better. I know the system better. I just feel like I’m going to play a lot faster knowing exactly what’s coming up. I know exactly what to prepare for in the offseason to get into training camp. For me, taking care of my body is probably the most important thing and that’s something I’ve learned along the way.”

Pearsall has the goods pic.twitter.com/VEbWPzQpfa

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) May 8, 2025

A player claiming he will play faster in year two is a common refrain. There is nothing new about a second-year player talking about the game slowing down for him. However, for Pearsall, his words carry more weight as – assuming he is healthy for training camp – he should be able to combine improved speed of thought with increased physical speed as a product of being in better shape to start the year.

Last season, for obvious reasons, Pearsall’s movements initially looked somewhat labored when he finally got on the field. But, after the rust had been knocked off, Pearsall displayed significant twitch as a receiver who can do damage going downfield, win at the top of the route, and have a significant impact after the catch.

That progress came at the end of a year in which he saw his offseason disrupted by an unimaginable turn of events, and had some issues staying on the practice field prior to that due to a shoulder issue.

This year, the 49ers have played it safe with Pearsall because of a hamstring problem. However, he is expected to be ready for training camp and, if Pearsall can stay on the field in those practices and get the chance to knock off the rust in preseason, then – given what he showed at the end of 2024 – there should be great optimism the former 31st pick can indeed operate at a much faster speed and make the jump on which the 49ers are counting.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...s-key-improvement-expects-second-49ers-season

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Less than 20 days until rookies report

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Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, June 26th, 2025

Gus Bradley’s role reversal and why 49ers consider him ‘huge addition’ to defense (paywall)

“You think (Saleh) should just be sitting there and making sure the notes are taken and everything’s been drawn up right,” said Bradley, who was Seattle’s defensive coordinator. “But it wasn’t like that with Robert. He would challenge your thoughts and say, ‘Well, I’ve had some experiences too and here’s one way to look at it.’”

Bradley encouraged the younger coach’s feedback, and he later hired Saleh as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebackers coach in 2014, when he was the head coach there....“I’ve been with Gus for a long time and have just so much respect for him,” Saleh said two weeks ago. “While our philosophies are the same, we look at it differently, if that makes sense. It’s kind of a good yin and yang. He sees my blind spots, and I can see his.”

Unlike Bradley, Saleh is not as big on the give and take.

“He yells at me that ‘there’s a line to be drawn,’” Bradley said.

Bradley then let out a huge laugh that Saleh could probably hear down the hall.....As a former head coach like Saleh, Bradley said that experience helps defensive coordinators see the game differently.

“You kind of see a big picture,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s things like situational football. When you’re the head coach, situations are so important. And then when you go back to be a coordinator, you really look at situations differently.”

49ers insider delivers encouraging Christian McCaffrey update ahead of 2025 season

“Christian McCaffrey is healthy again,” Barrows reported in a recent article summarizing takeaways from each NFL team’s offseason workouts. “Following a 2024 season marred by Achilles and knee issues, McCaffrey said his goal this spring was to be available for all of the 49ers’ OTA and minicamp sessions.

“And while he didn’t look quite like he did in the spring of 2023 — he was prominently intense in OTAs that year, foreshadowing his Offensive Player of the Year campaign — he didn’t have to sit out any sessions. That was a boost of confidence for the running back, who said he’ll be back to training as usual during the summer break, and to a 49ers offense that missed McCaffrey last season, especially in the red zone.”

George Kittle raves about ‘freak’ 49ers rookie wideout

““He’s a good kid. I like him,” Kittle said. “He’s a freak. He is really tall. I watched him, he was running a route, and he got like nine and a half yards in two strides. I was like, ‘Holy s—t.’ It was insane. We watched it like 10 times as the tight end room. We’re like, ‘How is he doing this?’

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...defensive-coordinator-training-camp-offseason

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: One last June weekend and we’re in training camp month

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Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Friday, June 27th, 2025

49ers and Brandon Aiyuk: Garafolo sets record straight on speculation

“Now, I know folks are reading into Brandon Aiyuk’s comments as he makes his way back from an ACL injury,” Garafolo said. “My understanding is Brandon Aiyuk is in a really good space with the team. They’ve got to get him healthy and keep him focused. If they do, that’s another add back to the mix with all this talent on the team.”

Why Rob Gronkowski ranks 49ers star George Kittle as NFL’s best tight end

“‘George Kittle, by far. He was All-Pro last year. He had over 1,000 yards. He had over 10 touchdowns. The best in the game right now so that’s an easy number one.” Kittle’s 2024 season was the fourth of his career with 1,000-plus receiving yards, as he finished with 1,106, and while Gronk said the 31-year-old had over 10 touchdowns, he only finished with eight on the year. [In 8 seasons] he’s 13th all-time among tight ends with 7,380 receiving yards and could very well leap even higher on that list this season, as he trails Ozzie Newsome, who’s 10th all-time, by just 600 yards.”

ESPN: 49ers should extend Colton McKivitz amidst tackle concerns

“McKivitz’s contract ends after the 2025 season, and the 49ers don’t want to be stuck having to replace both tackles at the same time,” Schatz added. “So the wise thing to do is to give McKivitz a small extension, maybe a couple of more seasons.”

Schatz acknowledged McKivitz’s weaknesses but also noted the veteran offensive lineman has shown recent improvement.

“He’s not a great tackle — he ranked 52nd out of 66 qualifying tackles with an 85.9% pass block win rate in 2024 — but he has improved in recent seasons,” Schatz concluded. “An extension would also give the 49ers some offensive line stability.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...nk-tight-end-tackle-mckivitz-rankings-cmc-nfl

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers may want to make one more offseason move at offensive tackle

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Trent Williams turns 37. Colton McKivitz is on a one-year deal. The 49ers don’t have long-term answers at either tackle spot—and they didn’t draft one.

The San Francisco 49ers have been getting contracts done much quicker than we’ve been used to in past offseasons, locking up the likes of Brock Purdy and George Kittle to new deals. Is there anything left to do? Sure, figure out how this offensive line is going to shake out.

That’s because outside of Dominick Puni, is there any certainty? Trent Williams is 37, and we don’t know when he would announce retirement while Colton McKivitz is in the final year of his deal. That last point is most important. McKivitz signed a one-year extension last offseason. As for his play, the best way to describe it is “S” for satisfactory.

Over at ESPN, Aaron Schatz identified an offseason move each team needed to make and suggested that extending offensive tackle Colton McKivitz would be the move the 49ers should make. It’s hard to argue with the investments in Purdy and the age of Trent Williams that this shouldn’t be a priority.

The problem here is less right tackle McKivitz and more the fact that left tackle Trent Williams turns 37 in July. He could decide to retire at any time.

McKivitz’s contract ends after the 2025 season, and the 49ers don’t want to be stuck having to replace both tackles at the same time. So the wise thing to do is to give McKivitz a small extension, maybe a couple of more seasons. He’s not a great tackle — he ranked 52nd out of 66 qualifying tackles with an 85.9% pass block win rate in 2024 — but he has improved in recent seasons. An extension would also give the 49ers some offensive line stability.

Is McKivitz great? No.

You know what’s worse? Two rookies are manning right and left tackle. Or someone where the 49ers don’t know what they have (like one of the rookies), assuming those positions.

The 49ers were trying to get this figured out in the 2025 draft, but 49ers GM John Lynch said it didn’t exactly go that way with how the draft panned out. So we’ll be back in this position in 2026, and one where the 49ers can’t afford to kick the can down the road any longer.

Sure, a two-year deal for McKivitz that gives the 49ers some options is best. Unfortunately, Jaylon Moore departed the 49ers to the tune of a three-year, $45 million deal in 2025 free agency. If McKivitz isn’t seen as a long-term piece at offensive line, a team might be offering him something out of the 49ers’ price range.

The worst scenario is if the 49ers do not have any answer on the roster currently. They didn’t take an offensive tackle in the draft at all, nor did they get one as an undrafted free agent. Should McKivitz not be the guy and Trent Williams calls it a career, that’s not the best protection for a quarterback, a team just made a $53 million man.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...e-one-more-offseason-move-at-offensive-tackle

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Can you guess this 49ers tackle in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Niners player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Niners Nation! We’re back for another day of the Niners Nation in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Niners Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

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Niners Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct 49ers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6/29/24458276/sb-nation-49ers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers have tricky decision to make with one of their most important 2025 draft picks

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The 49ers have all but one of their draft picks signed, with Alfred Collins’ contract proving more difficult than expected.

With training camp fast approaching, the 49ers are in a rare position of having no significant contract dramas to resolve. However, there is still an underrated issue they are facing with one of their most important picks from this year’s draft.

The 49ers have just one draft pick who remains unsigned to his rookie contract, and that is defensive tackle Alfred Collins, whom they selected in the second round.

Collins is expected to have a significant role in his rookie season. He is likely to start and will be under pressure to quickly make an impression in the pros, not just as a high-floor run defender, but as a player who can unlock the untapped pass rush potential the 49ers believe he has.

But, before he can do that, the 49ers need to sign him to a deal, and that might be easier said than done.

Only two of the 32 second-round picks from this year’s draft have signed their rookie contracts. The reason for that low number at this relatively late point in the calendar is linked to the fact that Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger — the two second-round picks to have signed contracts — inked fully guaranteed deals.

That is a distinction normally reserved for first-round picks. Schwesinger was taken 33rd overall, the first pick of the second round, by the Cleveland Browns, while Higgins was the first selection of the Houston Texans’ draft after they traded out of the first round.

Higgins being Houston’s first pick might have factored into the Texans giving him a fully guaranteed deal, but that decision and the move by Browns to do the same with Schwesinger has complicated matters for the rest of the league.

As such, the 49ers now face a decision over Collins. There may be a reticence to sign a player who sat out OTAs and minicamp with a reaggravation of a calf injury to a fully guaranteed deal. However, after that absence, the 49ers undoubtedly need to get Collins on the field for training camp practices. That won’t happen without a deal.

Given his importance to their 2025 fortunes, it could end up being the case that the 49ers have to blink and bow to Collins’ demands and give him a fully guaranteed deal. They have a few more weeks to find a resolution that suits both parties.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6...icky-decision-most-important-2025-draft-picks

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers 90-in-90: Have we seen the peak of the Hyena, or is there more in store for Deommodore Lenoir?

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Breaking down the 90 players on the 49ers’ offseason roster in 90 posts (over 90 or so days). Today is CB Deommodore Lenoir

We were getting ready to talk about how the San Francisco 49ers need Deommodore Lenoir to mature as a player, before that conversation got sidetracked, and Lenoir played hot potato with a set of keys to get under the skin of the Los Angeles police department, ultimately resulting in an obstruction of justice charge.

It feels like that news was a week ago. Most of you have likely already forgotten about it. It’ll be about a month until we see Lenoir in action at training camp. The 26-year-old is coming off a career season and is yet another example of this regime maximizing the value of a 5th-round pick.

On 14 fewer targets than 2023 — usually a sign that a cornerback has improved in coverage if there isn’t a drastic drop in snaps — Lenoir saw his completion percentage drop by more than 10 percent, yards per target decrease by 2.5 yards, and did not allow a touchdown in 2024. There’s a reason the Niners gave Lenoir just under $90 million in new money last November.

Basic Info​

Age: 26

Experience: 4 accrued seasons

Height: 5’10

Weight: 199 pounds

Cap Status​

Lenoir’s base salary remains incredibly cheap for two more seasons. His unique contract structure only features $1.6 million in guaranteed money. Lenoir will earn the final $1,170,000 of that in the form of his base salary in 2025.

Throughout the duration of Lenoir’s contract, he’ll earn his full signing bonus, which is just over $13 million, and an option bonus that amounts to $21 million. Lenoir’s signing bonus is divided into five years, where he’ll earn $2.6 million from 2024 to 2028.

The option bonus is spread out through 2030 — Lenoir’s contract has two extra ghost years, which helps the 49ers manipulate the cap. The bonus is $1.3 million in 2025, but increases to $4.2 million from 2026 to 2029, and then drops to $2.9 million in 2030.

Have we seen Lenoir’s ceiling?​

Sports Info Solutions had Lenoir as the 20th most valuable cornerback in the NFL last season. Per Over the Cap, Lenoir has the 17th highest paid contract out of 345 cornerbacks.

How much better can Lenoir get? Have we seen his peak? Based on his contract structure, Lenoir will never make more than $17 million in a season. And by the time he does come close to that number, it’ll be when he turns 30, and the 49ers can get out of the deal with minimal salary cap repercussions.

I think it’s fair to highlight that if the team doesn’t view Lenoir as a top-10 cornerback, salary-wise, then we should temper expectations and understand who Lenoir is as a player. That’s especially true if Lenoir remains the nickel.

Kyle Shanahan said the team would try Lenoir on the outside this season. That’s how it was during mini-camp, and it should continue during training camp. This will be new-ish territory for Lenoir, as only 187 of his 922 defensive snaps came on the perimeter last season.

This season, the difference in defending slot wide receivers and those outside of the numbers is guarding Davante Adams, Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, and Mike Evans, and that’s just in the first half of the season. He’ll take on a much bigger role against stronger competition on the outside this season.

Lenoir has proven to be an impact player at nickel. His contributions against the run are top-notch. It won’t be as easy to do so on the outside, putting Robert Saleh in a bit of a conundrum on where to use one of the better players on defense.

In the same breath, that versatility will take pressure off whoever wins the CB3 job. Whether we’ve seen the best version of Lenoir, if his play plateaus and he remains the same, consistent, fiesty, pain in the butt type of player he’s been during the previous two seasons, he’s living up to the contract the Niners have given him.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/6/30/24457308/49ers-90-in-90-deommodore-lenoir

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

ESPN wants the 49ers to extend this player who is far from a fan favorite

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Is it time for the 49ers to give Colton McKivitz a new contract?

The San Francisco 49ers extending core players like George Kittle, Fred Warner, and, of course, Brock Purdy this offseason didn’t come as a shock to anybody. That was the team rewarding their best players for their past production and locking them into deals to help move the team forward to future success.

Then, on the other end of the spectrum, some players have contributed to the Niners' success — and failures — on short-term contracts that are year-to-year type of deals. One of the most polarizing players on this side of the spectrum is right tackle Colton McKivitz.

If you asked the average 49ers’ fan, you’d think McKivitz has never made a block in his life and has zero value to the team. However, this is where the disconnect lies between how fans view a player and how the team performs.

It’s easy to forget that McKivitz was selected in the fifth round. He was never supposed to play starter-level snaps. But after investing in more premium positions, San Francisco entered the 2023 season with McKivitz slated to start at right tackle with no competition heading into training camp.

In two seasons, McKivitz hasn’t missed a game. He’s improved ever so slightly as a run and pass blocker last year, but he did commit more penalties in 2024. McKivitz enters the final year of his contract in 2025, where his cap number is a modest $5.32 million.

Looking at the depth chart, there isn’t a successor at right tackle. Spencer Burford backed up Trent Williams in the spring. Technically, Austen Pleasants is McKivitz’s backup, but he’s also on a one-year contract that’s up after this season.

ESPN believes the 49ers should extend McKivitz before the season begins:

Extend offensive tackle Colton McKivitz

The problem here is less right tackle McKivitz and more the fact that left tackle Trent Williams turns 37 in July. He could decide to retire at any time.

McKivitz’s contract ends after the 2025 season, and the 49ers don’t want to be stuck having to replace both tackles at the same time. So the wise thing to do is to give McKivitz a small extension, maybe a couple of more seasons. He’s not a great tackle — he ranked 52nd out of 66 qualifying tackles with an 85.9% pass block win rate in 2024 — but he has improved in recent seasons. An extension would also give the 49ers some offensive line stability.

From Kyle Shanahan to Chris Foerster, the 49ers’ coaching staff has never said a bad word about McKivitz. Trent Williams has stuck up for the Niners' right tackle as well.

However, these short-term deals speak louder than any words that come from a press conference. If the 49ers truly felt like McKivitz gave them stability, he would sign a longer, more lucrative extension.

In his defense, it could still happen. Another 17-game season where the offense stays healthy and puts up top 5-ish numbers would reflect well on McKivitz. Still, stability feels misplaced.

Mock drafts for the past two years have pegged right tackle as the Niners’ top priority. Only two players had more blown blocks against the pass last season than McKivitz, justifying why fans feel the way they do about him.

This year is a make-or-break year for McKivitz. The 49ers don’t seem confident enough, or at least haven’t found the value, to start a rookie at right tackle. Andre Dillard was signed this offseason, but he totaled 11 snaps in 2024. So, it’s not like the team is in a hurry to replace McKivitz.

It’s difficult to imagine the 49ers not getting the same type of production from a third-round (hello, Dominick Puni) or better draft pick on a rookie deal, if not better, than McKivitz. Time will tell, but it's the one part of the depth chart where the 49ers will be OK moving forward if the current starter’s contract is up after this season.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7/1/24459799/49ers-trent-williams-colton-mckivitz-nfl-draft

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Which 49ers player will make their first Pro Bowl in 2025?

Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 49ers have been well-represented in the Pro Bowl under Kyle Shanahan. Will they have any first-timers this season?

During their 2024 Super Bowl run, the San Francisco 49ers had a whopping nine players selected, including a host of others named as alternates. The 49ers weren’t nearly as well-represented during last year’s Pro Bowl. Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, and Fred Warner represented the team, although four others were named as alternates.

Expectations are sky-high once again for the Niners heading into the 2025 season. This is a team with one of the highest projected win totals, as oddsmakers believe the 49ers will benefit from a favorable schedule.

With winning comes production on both sides of the ball. It also leads to recognition, both from the fans and the players. That brings us to today’s question. Who will be a first-time Pro Bowler?

For this exercise, players like Deommodore Lenoir count, despite being “alternates” in previous seasons. We’re talking about who will be voted as a starter.

Brandon Aiyuk would be a popular pick, but we don’t know how much time he’ll miss. It would be surprising to see Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall do enough during the first half of the season in Aiyuk’s expected absence to garner Pro Bowl recognition. I think the wide receiver group will be by committee, with multiple contributors and a different receiver leader every other week.

Unless Dominick Puni, Jake Brendel, or whoever wins the left guard job has a standout season, we’re looking at a player on the other side of the ball. That’s where my answer will take us.

Which 49ers player will make their first Pro Bowl in 2025?​

The players at positions in the conference matter. I’d be confident Malik Mustapha could push the NFC safety group if I knew he wouldn’t miss time. Even if it’s only two games, that’s Sam Darnold and either Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, or Jake Haener. There will be opportunities for the Niners’ secondary early in the season.

Not picking Mustapha after being worried that he’ll miss a couple of games, only to turn around and pick Dee Winters — a player who was basically written in Sharpie on last year’s injury report wouldn’t be fair, so I’ll stay in the secondary.

My answer: Renardo Green.

I’ll go with the second-year pro who is sure to be tested often in Robert Saleh’s scheme. And I believe Green will pass many of those tests, limit completion percentages, and luck his way into enough interceptions where he’ll be recognized as one of the better cornerbacks in the conference.

Last year, the Pro Bowl cornerbacks were Jaycee Horn, Jaylon Johnson, Byron Murphy, and Devon Witherspoon. That’s Green’s competition. I think playing with a lead will help Green rack up a few turnovers and pass breakups, ultimately leading to his first Pro Bowl nod.

Who do you think will make their first Pro Bowl this season? Scroll down and let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7...2025-renardo-green-dee-winters-malik-mustapha

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Who else should the 49ers sign?

Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

Could Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen help the 49ers in 2025?

“The 49ers used the first waves of free agency to purge rather than collect big names, but neither Allen nor Cooper would likely cost a ton at this point of the offseason,” Benjamin wrote. “Yes, San Francisco’s wide receiver corps is theoretically set for the long term with both Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall in tow, but the former is still recovering from a serious injury, and Pearsall only has 11 NFL games under his belt.”

49ers CB hunt: Should they target Samuel Jr., Douglas, or Hilton?

“Douglas is a physical corner with the length to disrupt the ball and the willingness to set an edge against the run (five tackles for loss last season),” Bowen wrote. “He’s an easy fit in a zone system that allows him to reroute underneath and attack the ball from the outside third of the field. Douglas returned one of his five interceptions for a touchdown in 2023, and he had five pass breakups last season.”

Karseno believes Douglas would be a “perfect fit” within defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s system, which is expected to feature a significant amount of zone coverage in 2025.

“He will turn 30 next month, but with solid production as an every-game starter last season, it’s safe to assume he’s got a few more good years in him,” Karseno concluded.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7...ng-camp-keenan-robert-saleh-george-kittle-nfl

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers 90-in-90: Is Kurtis Rourke a Mac Jones replacement down the line?

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Breaking down the 90 players on the 49ers’ offseason roster in 90 posts (over 90 or so days). Today is QB Kurtis Rourke

The San Francisco 49ers haven’t been shy about churning through backup quarterbacks since moving on from C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens. That was Brock Purdy for about 60 percent of his rookie season. Since Purdy took over as the starter, we’ve seen Sam Darnold, Brandon Allen, Josh Dobbs, and now Mac Jones.

The Niners drafted a quarterback in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Kurtis Rourke will learn from Jones and Purdy during the next two seasons. Rourke won’t be ready for the beginning of training camp after recovering from an ACL injury.

Even if his rookie season will feel more like a redshirt year, the soon-to-be 25-year-old started 45 games during his career. He enters the NFL with plenty of experience and should make for a solid, scout team quarterback who knows where to go with the football in practice and can also help you out in a pinch if there’s an injury to your starter.

Basic Info​

Age: 24 (his birthday is 10/22/2000)

Experience: Rookie

Height: 6’4

Weight: 220 pounds

Cap Status​

Rourke received a $134,236 signing bonus that’ll be spread out over the next four seasons. His base salary in 2025 is $840,000. That brings Rourke’s cap number in 2025 to $873,559.

A lengthy injury history​

Some may have been surprised to see the 49ers select a quarterback, especially one coming off a significant injury.

General Manager John Lynch attended a game in which Rourke played live against Ohio State last season. In that game, Rourke only completed eight of his 18 attempts for 68 yards in a 38-15 loss that wasn’t as close as the score might suggest against the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

Lynch said, “I think [Rourke] really displayed his toughness, played a lot of the year on a partially torn ACL. It was a previous ACL that was done in 2022, a re-tear, but toughed it out and played through it, had surgery after the season.”

Rouke spent four seasons at Ohio University before spending his final season in Bloomington. He also suffered a shoulder injury late in the 2020 season. Lynch mentioned the ACL tear that happened late in 2020. Last August, before the 2024 season, Rourke tore the same ACL for the second time, but opted to have surgery once the season ended.

Rourke suffered a thumb injury on his throwing hand. He had midseason surgery on that hand last October and only missed one game after initially being ruled out indefinitely before his “prognosis improved.”

Why Rourke after all that?​

Indiana was in the thick of a playoff race. Rourke’s willingness to undergo surgery and play through multiple injuries is a sign of a S-tier competitor willing to do anything to win.

Here’s more from Lynch:

“We took him with the understanding that he’s not going to likely be cleared until training camp, but we felt like there was a lot of talent, a lot of ability. The guy plays the game the right way, and you can’t have enough good quarterbacks.”

And here’s Kyle Shanahan on Rourke:

“Love the size, love how he throws, love how he plays the position, especially watching him this year. I don’t think it was a coincidence how good of a year they had with the type of quarterback they had, and he did it the whole year with a broken finger, a torn ACL, and still was really, really impressive.”

Rourke is a big kid. It’s no surprise that Shanahan gravitated toward a quarterback with sound mechanics and above-average placement and decision-making. Rourke looked like a player who shouldn’t take long getting comfortable learning an NFL offense.

What Rourke lacks in A+ arm strength, he makes up for in creating throwing lanes and finding a way to complete passes with abnormal arm angles. Once he’s healthy, Rourke seems like the perfect practice quarterback and type of player you want in your quarterback room.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7/3/24460591/49ers-kurtis-rourke-mac-jones-brock-purdy-quarterback

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Can you guess this 49ers cornerback in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Niners player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Niners Nation! We’re back for another day of the Niners Nation in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Niners Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Thursday, July 3, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Niners Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct 49ers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7/4/24461546/sb-nation-49ers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Could a key 49ers’ 2024 free agent signing be among their roster cuts in 2025?

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The 49ers signed Jordan Elliott to be a key part of their D-Line rotation in 2024, but he has reason to be fearful for his roster spot in 2025.

The 49ers’ interior defensive line has undergone a major revamp this offseason, with the changes seeing two players who started last season as key players in that area moved on to new teams.

Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins were each let go as the 49ers embraced a youth movement on the defensive side of the trenches.

And it’s not inconceivable that a player they signed to be an integral part of the rotation last year could be a part of final roster cuts.

The 49ers signed Jordan Elliott to a two-year, $7 million last offseason, and he struggled to justify the investment.

Elliott registered only seven pressures in his first season with the 49ers, per Pro Football Focus, while his run stop rate of 4.6% was tied for the ninth-worst among interior defensive linemen with at least 200 run defense snaps.

The flip side is that Elliott’s average depth of tackle was 1.6 yards, tied for the 12th-best, illustrating that – when he was able to corral ball-carriers – he did so without allowing them to gain much yardage.

Still, it wasn’t the kind of season the 49ers likely envisaged from Elliott and, with the 49ers drafting Alfred Collins in the second round and CJ West in the fourth round of this year’s draft, there’s a good chance he will surrender his projected position as a starter at defensive tackle in 2025.

But what about his position on the roster?

The 49ers would save $2.94 million against the cap by moving on from Elliott and there’s reason to believe that, with the numbers San Francisco will likely carry on the D-Line, he could be on the outside looking in when Kyle Shanahan chops the roster from 90 to 53.

Collins and West will take up two spots, while veteran rotational piece Kevin Givens is a strong bet to make the roster, as is Evan Anderson, who impressed as a rookie UDFA with his run-stuffing ability.

San Francisco likely won’t put more than 10 defensive linemen on the active roster. As such, Elliott’s success in keeping his spot may hinge on how many edge rushers the 49ers go with.

Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams and Bryce Huff are all obviously locks, and the same can probably be said of Yetur Gross-Matos given his ability to play inside as well as off the edge.

Among the edge rushers, the players Elliott is competing with are Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal Jr, with the former’s versatility a significant selling point. Among defensive tackles, Kalia Davis perhaps represents the biggest threat to Elliott. Davis showed promise as a one-gapping three-technique in college, but his opportunities to have success in that capacity with the 49ers have been limited, primarily because of his injury issues.

Beal is probably the player about whom Elliott can have the least concern, given the lack of pass-rush upside the 2023 fifth-round pick has displayed. However, if Okuayinonu builds on a promising first season with the 49ers by impressing again in camp and Davis catches the eye enough to convince the staff he is worthy of another year, then Elliott could find himself looking for a new home come the end of August.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7/4/24461263/key-49ers-2024-free-agent-signing-roster-cuts-2025

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Can you guess this 49ers specialist in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Niners player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Niners Nation! We’re back for another day of the Niners Nation in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Niners Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Friday, July 4, 2025
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Niners Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct 49ers player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7/5/24461979/sb-nation-49ers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Mike Florio lists 49ers as one of five legitimate NFC Super Bowl contenders

Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

A hugely disappointing 2024 hasn't impacted opinion of the 49ers as one of the favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy.

Only one NFC team has done a better job of consistently contending to get to the Super Bowl than the 49ers since Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017.

The Philadelphia Eagles have been to the Super Bowl three times in that period, winning it once, while the 49ers have two heartbreaking defeats on the biggest stage in that period.

And, despite a disappointing, injury-riddled 6-11 season in 2024, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio expects the 49ers to be in the Super Bowl conversation again in 2025.

In an article posted on Sunday, Florio listed the 49ers as one of 10 teams who are legitimately in their Super Bowl window in 2025.

He wrote:

In most years, roughly 10 teams are in the window, roughly 10 teams aren’t, and the remaining 12 could break either way. This year, the AFC’s true short-list contenders are the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Bengals, and Texans. The Broncos and Chargers could force their way into the conversation.

In the NFC, it’s the Eagles, Lions, Rams, 49ers, and Commanders. Maybe the Buccaneers. Maybe the Vikings.

It’s interesting that Florio lists the 49ers ahead of two teams who made the playoffs last season, though that opinion is likely tied to the continuity San Francisco has on offense and the high floor and high ceiling that group has when everyone is healthy with Kyle Shanahan calling the plays. There is more doubt surrounding the Vikings and Buccaneers.

Minnesota will have a new quarterback who has never played an NFL game in JJ McCarthy, who is coming off a serious injury. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has a first-time offensive coordinator in Josh Grizzard following the departure of Liam Coen.

The 49ers’ hopes of realizing their Super Bowl potential this year will likely hinge on the health of the offensive support system around Brock Purdy and the success of the defense and special teams in improving markedly on dismal 2024 seasons, with substantial changes made to both those units.

Looking long term, the 49ers’ ability to remain in the thick of the Super Bowl conversation year-on-year will be dependent on Purdy continuing to evolve within Shanahan’s offense and the front office succeeding in refreshing the roster with strong draft classes. The pressure on forthcoming drafts will be lessened, however, if the 49ers can finally get over the hump this year and win the Super Bowl at their home stadium.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7...one-five-legitimate-nfc-super-bowl-contenders

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: 9 weeks until Bryce Huff suits up for the 49ers

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Monday, July 7th, 2025

49ers’ Bryce Huff excited to be reunited with coach Robert Saleh

“Coach Saleh did a great job lining all that up for us in New York, and I saw a lot of guys elevate themselves throughout my three years with them,” Huff told Graham. “So I’m extremely excited to be back here in San Fran. I know last year wasn’t my best season at all in Philly, and I had a lot of stuff going down, but one thing led to another, and I got that call from my agent when the trade window opened up and I was on a plane to Santa Clara. So I’m extremely excited to be here.....I’ve been here working with the same staff that took me from a basic player to like top of the league in pressure rate, top of the league in win rate, sacks, and whatnot. So I’ve been here putting in the same work that I put in all those years this summer, and I’m gonna be here until the first day of camp. So I’m excited to see how everything plays out this year with being back in Coach Saleh’s scheme and being back with this performance staff.”

Huff should be excited to be back with Saleh, in the same scheme he thrived in, and that he’s been used to playing in for years. Last season in Philadelphia, he lined up differently than he has in his entire career leading up to 2024. His statistics and his impact on the game are proof of how much better of a player he was when he was in the right scheme.

“Yeah, I feel, it feels like, feels like home,” Huff added. “Honestly, being able to put my hand in the dirt and utilize my full posterior chain to get off the ball every time, every snap, it gives me an advantage because that’s like what I worked on my entire life. I’ve been playing D-line since I was four years old with my hand in the dirt. So I feel like that muscle, that mind muscle memories, that my muscle connection is just like, it’s been solidified for over 15 years of just playing football. And that’s how my body fires the best, honestly. That’s really all it comes down to.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7...edge-rusher-offseason-training-camp-draft-nfl

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers free agent safety ‘comfortable’ in new defense, looking to be ‘All-Pro type of guy’

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Niners could have a free agent signee start at safety in 2025.

The San Francisco 49ers are just a few weeks away from training camp, where battles will start to ensue as newcomers look to make their mark ahead of the regular season.

One of those newcomers who could be entrenched in a battle is free agent safety signee Jason Pinnock, who joined the 49ers on a one-year deal worth $2.2 million.

Pinnock is joining a safety room with quite a few unknowns. Starter Talanoa Hufanga is no longer on the team after signing a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos. Other starter Malik Mustapha is likely to begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list after tearing his ACL in the season finale last season.

Elsewhere, former third-round pick Ji’Ayir Brown will look to reclaim a starter spot after getting benched for Mustapha last season. He’s also recovering from an injury but is expected to be back for training camp.

So, there’s quite a bit of opportunity for safeties to step up, and the 49ers made sure available competition was in the room. In addition to signing Pinnock, San Francisco added Richie Grant on a one-year deal, while drafting fifth-rounder Marques Sigle and retaining special-teams ace George Odum.

Regardless, Pinnock knows what his end goal is with the 49ers, as he returns to a spot of familiarity, despite joining a new defense.

“Hopefully, I’m a Day 1 starter,” Pinnock said, via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. “I think that’s what everybody hopes to do; that’s what I hope to do. But not only that, I look at myself as an All-Pro-type of guy. That’s what I came here to do. That’s what I came to show the league.”

Pinnock spent the first season of his career with the New York Jets after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft under head coach Robert Saleh. He was initially drafted as a cornerback, but was released after one season and moved to safety with the New York Giants.

“It was humbling,” Pinnock said about being released after one season in the NFL. “It was humbling, but my pops is big on ‘It’s a blessing in disguise.’ I don’t think I would’ve fell into a system like with [former Giants defensive coordinator Wink] Martindale, where I figured out like, ‘Wow, I can blitz.’ That introduced that portion into my game.”

Now, Pinnock is looking to be an all-around safety for the 49ers and show off his ballhawk skills in addition to the blitzing and tackling.

“I think I’ve shown I can pressure, I can tackle, good in space,” Pinnock continued. “I got to go show these attributes in my ball skills – you know, something that got me drafted, basically. Show people I’m a ball-hawk.”

Now, after three years, he’s reunited with Robert Saleh, albeit at a different position, as he looks to make the right jump in his career.

“I wanted to go somewhere comfortable, man. I’m comfortable in this system. I switched positions rookie year, and I’ve seen three different coordinators since then. I just wanted some continuity. [I have a] great relationship with [Robert] Saleh – knew his system, loved his system, and I wanted to get back.”

The safety room seems wide open heading into training camp. If Pinnock can show those skills on the field, he could be on the fast track to earning a Day 1 starting job.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7...ck-looking-to-be-all-pro-2025-new-york-giants

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Can’t wait for the training camp battles

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

Defensive back Jason Pinnock on why he joined 49ers, ‘ball-hawk’ plans for 2025

“In August 2022, Saleh and the Jets cut Pinnock, which left him to join the Giants. Pinnock admirably reflects fondly on the experience and embraces the cards he has been dealt.

“It was humbling,” Pinnock told Maiocco about being released. “It was humbling, but my pops is big on ‘It’s a blessing in disguise.’ I don’t think I would’ve fell into a system like with [ex-Giants defensive coordinator] Don “Wink” Martindale, where I figured out like, ‘Wow, I can blitz.’ That introduced that portion into my game.

“And then finding [current Giants defensive coordinator] Shane Bowen, knowing, ‘OK, I can diagnose and see coverages and be able to observe.’ It was a blessing in disguise, but it was tough, man.”

Pinnock made strides with the Giants. And because of them, he now has the chance to prove his worth and belonging as a key defensive back with the 49ers.

He explained to Maiocco what he aims to do during the coming season.

“Getting the ball,” Pinnock told Maioco. “I think I’ve shown I can pressure, I can tackle, good in space; I got to go show these attributes in my ball skills – you know, something that got me drafted, basically. Show people I’m a ball-hawk.”

49ers’ new ball hawk? Jason Pinnock aims for starting role and takeaways

“I think last year, for me, actually, was a good year,” Pinnock explained. “My first three, I was always the youngest. I got drafted at 20. But last year, I played with the youngest defensive back room in the league.”

That allowed Pinnock to take on more of a leadership role for the first time.

“It was definitely a lot of giving my knowledge and giving stuff in-play, pre-snap, post-snap,” he shared. “So just trying to give that to the guys here now.”

49ers’ Jason Pinnock reveals offensive teammate who is a ‘headache’ to face

“Now that he’s had some time on the practice field, Pinnock was asked what stands out as the biggest challenge when going against Shanahan’s scheme. His answer included one player who creates more problems than most.

“Just the shifts, the motions, the way they play with underneath players,” Pinnock said. “Juice (fullback Kyle Juszczyk)—oh, man, he’s a headache personnel-wise. We joked about that when I came out here for Thursday night [in 2023].”

49ers’ new edge: Bryce Huff on Nick Bosa, outlook for Mykel Williams, facing Trent Williams

“Nick’s a cool guy,” Huff recently told Brad Graham. “We chopped it up a bit during spring camp, and I just kind of watched everybody’s process, and he’s pretty dialed in, and he’s a hard worker. I’m extremely excited to get there and ball out with him.......Just playing with another dominant edge in the league, like Jermaine [Johnson] in New York, in this scheme, I know what’s possible with Nick and the amount of stuff we can cook up,” Huff continued. “By the last couple of games in New York, me and Jermaine were freestyling on the field. I just know he’s been in the scheme a long time as well, so I know he has some tricks up his sleeve.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/7...season-training-camp-robert-saleh-defense-nfl