Categories: NewsZ-Home Slider

Patrick Willis Decides To Retire Leaving Many Concerned About The 49ers

Patrick Willis officially retired today after eight fantastic seasons in the NFL. He leaves behind an amazing legacy as one of the most talented and physically gifted linebackers to ever play the game.

In his short career, he went to seven pro bowls and had 950 combined tackles, eight interceptions and 20.5 sacks. Between his ability to stop the run and keep up with tight ends on pass coverage, he is simply one of the best to ever play the game: and in my opinion, his early retirement will be talked about in the same vein as Barry Sanders.

Yet with this announcement, there leaves a gaping hole in the 49ers linebacking core, defense and locker room: his leadership qualities has been praised as much as his natural talent. And it is something that it us unlikely to be filled right away – Chris Borland is solid but nowhere near close to Willis.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

With this said, looking from the outside in, it appears that the organization is in trouble. Since the departure of Jim Harbaugh, the team that made it to three NFC Championships is slowly breaking apart.

A number of players have been rumored to leave or have already departed from the once hailed 49ers. The biggest mystery at the moment is Justin Smith: will he retire or remain with the team? On top of this, Frank Gore, the pillar of their offense for years, signed with the Colts, Michael Crabtree unexpectedly left, guard Mike Iupati is expected to go to Arizona and, worst of all, Colin Kaepernick trade rumors have run rampant.

How could the 49ers be in rebuilding mode after three NFC Championships and one Super Bowl visit in three of the last four years? Their mediocre 8-8 record in 2015 was more reminiscent of a house-divded than an indication of deep problems. Like every team, problems need to be addressed, but did anybody expect this type of mass exodus post-Harbaugh.

It is obviously too early to talk poorly about San Francisco. Yet they do have to realize that if the 49ers do not succeed, then the organization will forever be stigmatized for forcing Harbaugh out.

On a more upbeat note, Willis retired “because he has a passion to work with youth,” according to NFL’s Jim Trotter. Good for him yet he will sorely missed by the 49ers, the NFL and the fans.

Anthony Falco

Recent Posts

Diontae Johnson Excited To Move From Panthers To Ravens, Could Help In Playoff Push

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is reportedly settling in well with the Baltimore Ravens after the…

16 hours ago

What Happened To Aaron Judge? After Yankees Fall Short In World Series, Fans Are Asking Questions

Aaron Judge seemed to flip the script on his disastrous World Series and postseason with…

16 hours ago

As The Yankees Collapse In World Series, Free Agency Battle For Juan Soto Begins

The New York Yankees' 2024 season came to a screeching halt Wednesday night when the…

2 days ago

Dodgers Win World Series In Game 5, Yankees Blow Five-Run Lead In Disastrous Finale

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win…

2 days ago

Brad Pitt Makes Surprise Appearance At Mexican Grand Prix To Shoot His Movie, ‘F1’

https://youtu.be/Y69VZZt9rt4 Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix’s practice round on Oct. 26.…

3 days ago

76er’s Joel Embiid Stays In NBA News Even While Not Playing

Joel Embiid’s name came up twice in NBA news this week as he continues to…

4 days ago