The New York Jets named Steve Wilks as their new defensive coordinator Wednesday, replacing Jeff Ulbrich. Wilks was most recently the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2023 and has previously served as head coach for the Cardinals and Panthers.

Wilks will join new head coach Aaron Glenn, another defensive-minded staff member, on a Jets team looking to rebuild from a dreadful 2024 season. The team’s offensive coordinator position is still up in the air, though it is almost impossible to imagine Nathaniel Hackett returning without quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Despite never spending more than three years with one team, Wilks has consistently found work in the NFL for the better part of two decades. He was named the Cardinals’ head coach in 2018, earning a 3-13 record before getting fired. 

In 2022, he had a far more successful stint as the Panthers’ interim head coach. Replacing Matt Rhule during the season, he guided a poor Carolina team to a 6-6 finish. He was considered for the permanent position, but Carolina passed and he headed to San Francisco.

In his sole season as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Wilks successfully maintained a talented San Francisco defense on the way to a Super Bowl appearance. He also reportedly had disagreements with head coach Kyle Shanahan, however. 

After the 49ers’ Super Bowl defeat, Shanahan publicly announced that he made the decision to cut Wilks loose. San Francisco missed the playoffs in 2024 and allowed the fourth most points in the NFL.

Glenn and Wilks will inherit a young and talented Jets defense, one of the few functional assets in recent New York seasons. Cornerback Sauce Gardner leads an elite unit that also includes Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams and Jermaine Johnson. Pieces could come and go in the off-season, but the defense will be the least of the team’s problems in the midst of another quarterback shuffle.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said Wednesday that he is expecting to play in Week 2 while recovering from Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey said something very similar before missing Week 1, and other reports have indicated that he is a long shot to start this weekend.

“My mentality is I’m playing,” McCaffrey told the San Francisco Chronicle. “That’s where I’m at. That’s how I am every week. I’m not lying. I think as soon as a player says, ‘You know, maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t.’ That’s not a good mentality to go into a week with when you’re kind of on the fence. So I’m ready to go.”

McCaffrey’s optimism is encouraging from a long-term standpoint, but based on Week 1, it is hard to take the star rusher at his word. The three-time Pro-Bowler was fully expected to start throughout last weekend before suddenly appearing on the inactive list shortly before game time on Monday night.

The 49ers have actively pushed back against claims that they knew all along that McCaffrey wouldn’t be available, instead describing it as a game-time decision. Backup Jordan Mason, who rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown Monday, claimed that the team began preparing him to start on Friday, but head coach Kyle Shanahan explained that the staff simply asked him to be prepared.

In any case, it seems like the team is taking a similar approach in handling McCaffrey this week. Shanahan said that the team has not even begun to consider putting him on the injured reserve, indicating that he should be available by the end of the month.

As for Week 2, McCaffrey’s eagerness to play may conflict with San Francisco’s desire to preserve his long-term health. With Mason performing at a high level in his stead against the Jets, the team can likely afford to give McCaffrey more time to recuperate. Even when he does appear on the field, he may share snaps with Mason until he can confidently handle his usual workload.

The 49ers are heavily favored against the Vikings in Week 2 with or without McCaffrey. With another trip to the Super Bowl in the cards next year, it may be prudent for the team to wait until later in the season to get the most out of their 28-year-old backfield leader.

On Thursday, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension after a protracted battle with team management. 

Aiyuk did not attend practice Wednesday despite receiving medical clearance. With the regular season looming, Aiyuk was still holding out for a contract extension.

In an internal team PR interview Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he hoped that Aiyuk would be available to practice. He also said that he did not know if the wide receiver would be ready to go Week 1, even if he did rejoin the team this week.

“I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything,” Shanahan said when asked about Aiyuk’s availability. “I’ve been working on the 53, the practice squad. I haven’t talked to him. I know he’s been cleared by our doctors. So, I hope that he is out there practicing today.”

Reporters waited for some sign of Aiyuk after the team’s optimistic report, but the 26-year-old did not attend, continuing his holdout. At one point earlier this summer, he was reportedly seeking a new deal on par with Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, who inked a four-year, $120 million deal in April.

With salary cap issues on the horizon, the 49ers were very hesitant to offer Aiyuk a similar deal. With Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel all providing plenty of firepower on offense, there have also been questions as to Aiyuk’s true value on an elite roster. 

It seemed like the fifth-year receiver would be traded for a time, with New England, Cleveland and Pittsburgh all rumored to have made offers. These deals failed as well, however, stranding Aiyuk on the team.  

It is hard to imagine a scenario in which both sides can return to normal operations quickly. There will be the issue of preparedness, as Aiyuk has missed the entire preseason and may have trouble adjusting to football in the regular season.

Getting ready for action will be one thing, but emotions and hard feelings may also play a role. The 49ers are currently favored to return to the Super Bowl, and despite their vast arsenal on offense, Aiyuk has been a key contributor to the team’s success. He will now have to contribute to the team’s future.

Brandon Aiyuk continues to try to force his way out of San Francisco.

The 49ers WR posted a video on his TikTok watching film of the Washington Commanders as he enters the final year of his contract. Aiyuk will make $14.1 million in the upcoming season.

The former Arizona State pass-catcher took to social media throughout the off-season to publicly express his dissatisfaction. A month ago, he went on TikTok and said, “The 49ers do not want me back, I swear,” among other antics, such as unfollowing members of the franchise on social media.

However, since QB Jayden Daniels arrived in Washington, the cries have grown louder. Daniels and Aiyuk played together in Tempe before Daniels transferred, and Aiyuk went pro, but they remained friends. Each has made it public that they would like to play on the same team at the NFL level, expressed on their multiple TikToks and social media videos together. Washington took Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Aiyuk’s displeasure stems from the lack of positive extension talks with the 49ers. In recent years, his teammates received new deals, such as RB Christian McCaffrey making four-year, $64 million, a record-breaking contract for a player at his position, and WR Deebo Samuel getting a three-year, $71 million a few years ago.

However, GM John Lynch appears unwilling to extend Aiyuk at the dollar value he thinks he deserves. With Justin Jefferson re-setting the wide receiver market earlier in the off-season, Aiyuk’s demands seemingly changed. The position has become more expensive each off-season, and Lynch cannot pay everyone.

Aiyuk, taken with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has improved statistically each season in the league. Last year, he finished the season with 1,342 yards, his most in a campaign and his first time having back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He thrives in HC Kyle Shanahan‘s offense, where he lines up in multiple positions and gets the ball in space.

Running back Christian McCaffrey, the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, has again set a new benchmark for running back contracts, signing a two-year extension with the San Francisco 49ers. The team announced the deal on Tuesday, with the extension averaging $19 million per year.

The new contract includes an additional $8 million for McCaffrey in 2024 and 2025 and $24 million in guaranteed money. This extension follows McCaffrey’s record-setting contract with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, which previously redefined running back compensation.

McCaffrey’s achievements with the 49ers have been significant. He became the fifth franchise player to win the Offensive Player of the Year award, joining legendary names like Jerry Rice and Joe Montana. Reflecting on his career and the new deal, McCaffrey emphasized the importance of valuing running backs.

“I think running backs have been undervalued for a long time now, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction,” McCaffrey said to ESPN.

After missing the voluntary portion of the offseason program, McCaffrey returned to the 49ers on Tuesday. Coach Kyle Shanahan noted that discussions about extending McCaffrey’s contract had been ongoing to reward his impact since joining the team at the trade deadline 2022.

The extension secures McCaffrey with the 49ers through the 2027 season. Before this deal, he had two years left on his previous contract with no remaining guaranteed salary. The new terms guarantee those salaries and add $8 million more.

“Business is business, it’s part of this game,” McCaffrey said. “Both sides were mutually very respectful the whole time and just proud and happy that we got something done.”

McCaffrey quickly became a central figure in the 49ers’ offense after being traded from the Panthers in October 2022. San Francisco acquired him in exchange for 2023 second-round, third-round, and fourth-round picks and a 2024 fifth-round selection. His dedication and performance impressed teammates and coaches alike.

In the 2023 season, McCaffrey amassed 2,023 yards from scrimmage and scored 21 total touchdowns. The 49ers are confident he can maintain this level of play into his 30s.

While McCaffrey was present in Santa Clara on Tuesday, he did not participate in practice but completed a workout on the side. Shanahan indicated McCaffrey might not practice on Wednesday either.

Amidst McCaffrey’s extension, the 49ers’ minicamp saw over 20 players not participating for various reasons. Notably absent were receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams. Aiyuk, aiming for a contract extension, risks fines if he doesn’t report. Shanahan noted that each player’s approach to these situations differs but remains confident.

“Some guys come because they want to avoid a fine, and some don’t, but regardless, it doesn’t change anything when those guys come,” Shanahan said.

Teammate Deebo Samuel advised Aiyuk to be patient, emphasizing that negotiations often take longer than desired but are ultimately a waiting game.

On Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks three days after the team lost the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilks joined the 49ers in 2023 and led one of the most efficient defenses in the league this season.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, claiming that he made the decision himself.

“I was sleeping on this for a few nights, trying to come up with a few tough decisions, but this morning I relieved Steve Wilks of his duties,” Shanahan said. “Gonna end up making a change here at defensive coordinator. Really tough decision. It says nothing about Steve as a man or football coach. He’s a great football coach. But just where we’re going and where we’re at with our team from a scheme standpoint and things like that, looking through it all throughout the year through these last few days, I felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization.”

Like Shanahan, Wilks has been to the Super Bowl three times over the course of his career but has never won. He was the Chicago Bears’ defensive backs coach in 2006 when the team lost to the Indianapolis Colts. He was also the assistant head coach of the 15-1 Carolina Panthers team that lost to the Denver Broncos to end the 2015 season.

Shanahan and Wilks reportedly disagreed throughout the 2023 season, with the head coach eventually requesting that his defensive coordinator call plays from a booth instead of the sideline. Under Wilks, the 49ers’ defense dropped from the least points allowed in the league in 2022 to fourth least in 2023.

Based on his prodigious resume spanning three decades and 15 NFL and college programs, Wilks will almost certainly find another position in football this off-season. At one point last year, he was considered for the Panthers’ head coaching vacancy after filling in as interim coach at the end of the 2022 season.

The 49ers, meanwhile, are in a frustrating fine-tuning stage after suffering their second Super Bowl defeat in four years. With the most star-studded offense in football and one of the toughest defenses, the team figured as a prohibitive Super Bowl favorite this year and will maintain that title next year.

But for all of San Francisco’s success this season, Shanahan could not overcome Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who won their third Super Bowl together in five seasons. It seems that Wilks, despite a credible (if turbulent) job in San Francisco this season, was the first on the chopping block for the team’s setback.

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Fransisco 49ers 25-22 in only the second-ever Super Bowl to go to overtime. It was also the first playoff game under new overtime rules, which guaranteed both teams a chance with the ball.

While Kansas City had a strategy in place if the game went past regulation, many San Francisco players were uninformed on the new rules and didn’t have a correct sense of how to win the game in overtime.

“You know what? I didn’t even realize the playoff rules were different in overtime. I assume you just want the ball to score a touchdown and win,” 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk said after the game. “I guess that’s not the case. I don’t totally know the strategy there. We hadn’t talked about it, no.”

On Tuesday, San Fransisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said to the media that before the playoffs, he met with the team’s analytics department to lay out multiple overtime scenarios they could see in the future. Shanahan also added that he asked assistant coaches to refresh players on the rules after the end of regulation in the Super Bowl, but the message clearly wasn’t heard by all.

“We told everyone as we were waiting for the coin toss to review every one to make sure they’re sure before we go out,” Shanahan said. “So, we asked position coaches to do that. But I didn’t cover it in a meeting on the Super Bowl week. I don’t think that changes anything.”

NFL overtime periods changed in the postseason following the Chiefs’ 42-36 OT defeat over the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 playoffs. Rules previously didn’t ensure both teams would have a chance with the ball, the game ending if the first team with the ball scored a touchdown. Though the 49ers only managed a field goal with their overtime possession, they may not have known that the Chiefs still had a chance to win.

“I didn’t even know about the new playoff overtime rule, so it was a surprise to me,” San Fransisco defensive lineman Arik Armstead said after the loss. “I didn’t even really know what was going on in terms of that.”

Contrary to San Fransisco, the victorious Kansas City said they went through multiple meetings throughout the playoffs, highlighting what the new overtime format would look like.

“We’ve talked about it all year,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after the game. “We talked about it in training camp about how the rules were different in the regular season versus the playoffs. Every week of the playoffs we talked about the overtime rule.”

Their preparation seemed to pay off, and Kansas City walked away with their third Super Bowl in five years after the final Patrick Mahomes to Mecole Hardman touchdown.

Though it worked out, the Chiefs said if the 49ers had scored a touchdown on their drive, the offense would have “gone for two” to seal up the win. It was the Chiefs who were part of the reason the overtime rules were changed, and they now benefit in the first game with the rules in place.

“We knew what our game plan was – had we won the coin toss, whether we want to defer or not, and what our plan was from there,” Reid said.

San Fransisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told quarterback Brock Purdy that the team would pursue Tom Brady as a year-long replacement while Purdy healed from an elbow injury sustained in last year’s NFC Championship game.

The 49ers have cycled through multiple quarterbacks in the form of Jimmy Garropolo and Trey Lance in recent years along with Purdy, but signing the seven-time Super Bowl winner would be one of the biggest moves in recent NFL history.

“I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment,” Shanahan said. “I let him know he’s our guy long-term. No question. And if Tom Brady wanted to come here and start for one year, that’s the only way you’re not starting when you’re healthy this year. That’s pretty cool. I wanted to assure him, ‘Don’t worry. You’re our guy. But how cool would it be if Tom Brady would be the quarterback here for one season? How cool would it be for you to learn from him?'”

Brady retired from football for the second time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February of 2023 following an 8-9 season and a first-round loss to the Dallas Cowboys, one year after his initial retirement announcement. Just like in 2023, the 49ers also expressed interest in Brady when he left the Patriots in 2020. Brady reportedly told his hometown team that he would be interested in returning for one final year.

Brady, obviously, never accepted the offer, but the 49ers didn’t end up having issues at quarterback this season. The team signed Sam Darnold as a backup, but Purdy started all but one game this year, finishing with 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns with the league’s highest passer rating. Purdy, who was the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has fans divided on whether the team’s success is coming from his skill or the other All-Pro players around him like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams.

“John [Lynch] and I, we took Purdy — and thank God we did,” Shanahan said, recalling the 2022 Draft and whether they thought they could pick up Purdy as a free agent. “I’m also getting the feeling we’re not getting Purdy as a free agent because there are so many other teams who are going to try to sign him… I said in the room, ‘Let’s not risk it. This guy’s too good.'”

A win for Purdy would no doubt cement him as the 49ers starting quarterback for the next few years. But while he and the 49ers prepare for their matchup against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Brady looks to continue other business ventures outside of playing football. The 46-year-old is still yet to begin his ten-year $375 million contract with Fox to be the network’s leading color analyst for NFL games.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been named the NFC’s starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl after receiving more votes than any other NFL player. Purdy is one of eight 49ers players selected for the game.

Purdy rose to prominence last year when he stepped into the starting role in San Francisco after two injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. The last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, “Mr. Irrelevant” led the team capably all the way to the NFC Championship game. He suffered an elbow injury early on in that contest, effectively ending the 49ers’ season.

In 2023, Purdy recovered rapidly from injury and managed to start the season at quarterback. In 16 starts, he threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 13-3 record and No. 1 seed in the NFC for the playoffs. There was extensive speculation that he could be named the league MVP, though that talk died down after a poor performance against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

Purdy is one of eight 49ers players who have been named to the Pro Bowl. He will be joined by teammates Christian McCaffrey (running back), George Kittle (tight end), Kyle Juszczyk (full back), Trent Williams (tackle), Nick Bosa (defensive lineman), Javon Hargrove (defensive lineman), Fred Warner (linebacker) and Charvarius Ward (cornerback).

Purdy and McCaffrey dominated fan voting, receiving the first and second most votes, respectively. Purdy was also the first 49ers quarterback to make a Pro Bowl since Jeff Garcia in 2002.

Because San Francisco clinched the first seed in the NFC last weekend, Purdy will not play in Week 18. The quarterback receives an extra week to recover from two stinger injuries that have hindered him slightly toward the end of the season.

“Brock is the only guy I know for sure I don’t plan on playing,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “You can rest seven guys if nobody is hurt if you get two practice squad guys up. We have at least six guys injured right now, so I only know for sure we can rest one. I went with our starting quarterback.”

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Week 8 after experiencing concussion symptoms on the trip back from Minnesota last week. Backup quarterback Sam Darnold will step in to lead one of the league’s strongest offenses in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

When reporters asked if Purdy suffered the concussion on a sneak attempt in the fourth quarter, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he and his staff reviewed game footage and could not definitively identify when the quarterback might have sustained the injury.

“Possibly, we don’t know for sure, ’cause he didn’t start getting [symptoms] until the plane, ” Shanahan said about the sneak. “I don’t know exactly, but I’d probably guess that.”

Compared to his recent form, Purdy performed poorly against the Vikings in Week 8, particularly in the fourth quarter, as San Francisco was looking to make a last-second comeback. He ended the night with 272 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

With Purdy missing significant time for the first time since the NFC Championship last year, Darnold will assume duties under center this week, nearly ten months since his last start for the Carolina Panthers. Once expected to be the everyday starter in Carolina when the team signed him in 2021, Darnold lost the job the following preseason to Baker Mayfield. He later regained the job as the team was limping through the end of a mediocre season, making six starts and leading the team to four wins.

Darnold signed with the 49ers in March as a backup option to Purdy and Trey Lance, who was once considered as the starter before Purdy began to show signs of a swift recovery from surgery. With Purdy named as the starter in the preseason, Darnold eventually beat Lance for the backup role.

Though some question the former first-round pick’s ability to pilot the 49ers’ offense, others see this as a profound opportunity for Darnold, who infamously struggled in inefficient offenses on the Jets and Panthers. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said on NFL Live Wednesday that he wasn’t worried at all about Darnold’s competence.

“If he (Purdy) doesn’t play, I do not expect them to skip a beat,” Orlovsky said. “I think they will be just fine with Sam Darnold. I have constantly believed that if Sam Darnold was placed on a team that was similar to San Francisco, he would play worthy of that top draft pick. This young man has been weathered. He’s mentally been through it all. He’s the most talented quarterback, physically, that Kyle Shanahan has had in that offense, at least since Matt Ryan.”

When Purdy took over the 49ers’ offense last season, the former third-string quarterback and 2022 last overall pick thrived with the help of offensive stars like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. The system surrounding Darnold has never been stronger in his career, giving him ample opportunity to succeed in Purdy’s absence.

San Francisco 49ers’ running back Christian McCaffrey didn’t seem to be bothered by an injury – he played all 53 snaps on Monday night against the Vikings.

He has been considered day-to-day after suffering an oblique injury in Week 6. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the star running back received “encouraging” MRI results.

McCaffrey did not practice on Thursday.

As of Thursday evening, his status has been upgraded from a ribs/oblique injury to an oblique injury following the MRI.

A reporter asked Shanahan Thursday if he was overworking McCaffrey, who has had his fair share of injuries over the course of his career. The running back has been one of the most active in the league and has propelled the offense since his arrival in 2022.

“I mean, we treat him as our starting running back,” Shanahan said. “So I don’t think about how many touches we wanna give somebody in a year. That’s week to week and how the game goes. He gets a lot more extra with how he gets thrown to in the passing game.”

Without McCaffrey for part of the game last week, San Francisco suffered its first loss of the season against the Cleveland Browns, losing 19-17 after 49ers kicker Jake Moody missed a field goal as time expired.

The Nick Bosa holdout is finally over. The San Francisco 49ers agreed to a five-year, $170 million extension Wednesday with the defensive star, making him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL by a wide margin. $122.5 million will be guaranteed.

With a new deal finally in place, Bosa will return to practice with the team this week. He sat out training camp and the entire preseason, however, putting his status for Week 1 in question. Earlier in the summer, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that it would not take long for Bosa to prepare for the season ahead.

“I don’t know if Bosa has ever done a training camp, and he has done pretty good,” Shanahan said last month. “It’s a little different when you’re a defensive lineman. Everybody wants people here, and you want to do that stuff, but it doesn’t affect the team as much from a defensive end standpoint. I have as much confidence in Nick as any player I’ve ever been around in terms of how he prepares and everything. I know they’re going to get it right, both sides, and I’m excited for when I do see him.”

It appears that Shanahan’s words rang true for Bosa at least, as the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year will now make $34 million on average for the next five seasons, far outpacing any defender in the NFL. It could create a problem going forward for the 49ers organization, however.

Though the team will be spared from salary cap issues for now, 2024 could be challenging, as San Francisco must honor a number of high-market contracts for star players like Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, Arik Armstead and Christian McCaffrey. For now, front office executives have a little wiggle room that they can expand by restructuring existing contracts.

With Bosa back on the roster, the 49ers are now fully prepared for another deep run in the postseason, one season after the team went to the NFC Championship. With quarterback Brock Purdy healthy again, the team has retained all of its major pieces and figures as a very important contender on the West Coast.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he is now considering the possibility of defensive star Nick Bosa missing games at the beginning of the 2023 NFL season. Shanahan has been nonchalant as Bosa’s contract dispute dragged on throughout the preseason, but it has not yet been resolved with one week remaining until Week 1.

“I thought it would come probably at this time just looking at the history of those things,” Shanahan said, according to the team transcript. “I’m really hoping it gets done. I know they’re working tirelessly at it. [General manager] John [Lynch], [VP of football administrations [Brian] Hamp [Hampton], [president] Paraag [Marathe]. I know their team is. But hopefully, we can get him in here sooner than later.”

49ers management reiterated that it does not plan to trade Bosa, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and currently the 117th highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. In 2020, Bosa’s brother, fellow star defender Joey Bosa, signed a five-year, $135 million extension with the Chargers. San Francisco’s Bosa, making $17.8 million in the final year of his contract, is likely seeking an even bigger extension.

While Bosa and his agents continue negotiations with the 49ers, Shanahan told reporters that the team would struggle without one of the league’s best defensive ends.

“Yeah, I can imagine anything. Doesn’t mean I like that picture,” Shanahan said of Bosa’s potential absence. “Of course not. You guys know how we feel about Nick, and we all know how good of a player he is. So hopefully we can come to terms soon and get him here as fast as possible.”

In the 2022 season, the 49ers were one of the most well-built teams in football, boasting elite players on both sides of the ball. The defense remained stout throughout the playoffs, and if not for an injury at quarterback in the NFC Championship, it’s possible that the team could have reached the Super Bowl. Retaining Bosa could prove integral to the team’s hopes of returning to that position in the coming season.

The San Francisco 49ers listed quarterback Trey Lance as the third-string option Wednesday, behind starter Brock Purdy and new backup Sam Darnold. Lance and Darnold reportedly fought for the backup position throughout the preseason, but head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the team reached a verdict earlier this month.

“We gave (Lance) a big chance to win that 2-spot this year… it was a very tough fight, but in the long run, Sam ended up winning it,” Shanahan said, according to The Athletic.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, the 49ers gave the Miami Dolphins three first-round picks in order to move up to the third overall pick and draft Lance, a largely inexperienced passer with just one full college season at North Dakota State. In two seasons since, Lance has only appeared in eight NFL games and began the 2022 season as the starter before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.

While Lance recovered from surgery, the 49ers turned to Jimmy Garoppolo and then Purdy, the rookie third-string quarterback who only went in after two injuries at his position. Purdy made an immediate impact, leading the team into the postseason and all the way to the NFC Championship before going down with an injury himself. Shanahan said that his late-season performance secured him the starting job early on in the offseason.

“I mean this isn’t a thing where we’re giving up on Trey,” Shanahan said in a local radio interview Wednesday. “This is more of how Brock played in his seven games and that was decided before the season started, and how Sam’s looked. They’ve both looked good but we have to make a decision here. You only get so many reps at it. We feel, starting about 10 days ago, Sam really separated himself, and we’ve got to keep it real in that way.”

Before arriving in San Francisco, Darnold played three seasons for the Jets and two for the Panthers, never making a convincing case as a franchise quarterback for either team. The USC product will return to California and provide a capable safety net if Purdy struggles or goes down again.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that he was unconcerned about star defensive lineman Nick Bosa’s physical condition. Bosa has missed training camp and the early preseason as he continues negotiations for a contract extension.

“No, not at all,” Shanahan said after being asked if he was concerned about the holdout. “Because I don’t know if Bosa has ever done a training camp, and he has done pretty good. It’s a little different when you’re a defensive lineman. Everybody wants people here, and you want to do that stuff, but it doesn’t affect the team as much from a defensive end standpoint. I have as much confidence in Nick as any player I’ve ever been around in terms of how he prepares and everything. I know they’re going to get it right, both sides, and I’m excited for when I do see him.”

Shanahan’s confidence in Bosa is based on his status as one of the NFL’s elite defenders. Since his debut in 2019, the 49ers star has racked up 43 sacks and 153 combined tackles despite missing nearly the entire 2020 season with an injury. He has appeared in the Pro Bowl in all three of his full seasons. But this success is also the reason for his prolonger contract negotiation.

Under his current four-year, $33 million deal with a fifth-year option, Bosa is currently the 38th highest paid defensive lineman in the league. He has proven to be far more valuable than his original deal and is expected to agree to a lucrative extension before the season begins.

With Shanahan at the helm last season, the 49ers were one of the most efficient teams in football. The offense featured stars Deebo Samuel and George Kittle and only grew stronger when running back Christian McCaffrey joined ahead of the trade deadline. Even after losing two starting quarterbacks throughout the season, the team made it all the way to the NFC Championship, when third-string quarterback Brock Purdy also succumbed to injury. The team was similarly potent on the other side, with Bosa leading a fierce defense which allowed the fourth least points per game in the league.

The San Francisco 49ers announced Wednesday that they would not release defensive lineman Charles Omenihu following his arrest Monday on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. The team intends to let the legal process play out, and in the meantime, Omenihu will remain with the team and played in this weekend’s NFC Championship game.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement Wednesday, telling reporters that the team analyzed Omenihu’s case but did not conclude that he should be excluded from team activities.

“We feel very good letting the legal process take care of itself. And don’t feel we should kick him off our team at this time,” Shanahan said.

The San Jose Police Department released a report concerning Omenihu’s arrest, which occurred at 4:39 p.m. local time Monday. Omenihu’s girlfriend reportedly called the police department accusing him of shoving her to the floor during an argument. She did not report any visible injuries after the incident and denied medical attention to treat pain in her arm.

Omenihu posted bail soon after being booked in Santa Clara County jail and was also served a restraining order. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office could charge Omenihu for the incident.

The NFL is also unlikely to punish Omenihu in the near future, as the league typically waits for legal proceedings to unfold before disciplining players. The defensive lineman has recorded 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble this season as a member of one the NFL’s best defenses.

Omenihu entered the league in 2019 after four seasons at the University of Texas. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round and appeared in 35 games for the team. The 49ers traded for him during the 2021 season.

Kyle Shanahan has no question done wonders with the San Fransisco 49ers this year – but there are other impressive options that deserve consideration as well for coach of the year.

The coach, who is in his six-season, has helped lead the team to a 10-4 record.

And with a win against division rival Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers clinched the NFC West.

But it’s remarkable how the 49ers got to this point.

First, the year started with starting quarterback Trey Lance, who was the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, suffering a fractured ankle in the season opener

Then to make matters worse, veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot earlier this month and will miss the rest of the year.

That forced the 49ers to turn to its rookie and the last pick in the 2022 draft (also known each year as Mr. Irrelevant) – Brock Purdy.

While Shannahan deserves plenty of credit for designing a system that makes his QB comfortable, Purdy has been remarkable considering what the expectations were.

Also, star wide receiver Deebo Samuel did not play in the 21-13 win – making it even more impressive.

During and after Thursday night’s victory, some fans and NFL pundits took to social media to call for Shanahan to win coach of the year.

While Shannahan might seem like the favorite this year given the adversity he has had to overcome, some others deserve some love too.

First, it’s important to look at the dramatic turnarounds this year by both the New York Jets and New York Giants, which are both coached by Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll respectively.

Both teams finished last season at 4-13; this year they both already have seven wins and could make the playoffs.

And, of course, we can’t forget about Nick Sirianni and his Philadelphia Eagles, now the top team in the NFL after having a 9-8 record last year.

The 49ers last year were 10-7 and made the AFC championship game.

Given the success of the Eagles this year, Sirianni is currently the favorite to win coach of the year.

VegasInsider currently pegs his odds at -175.

But there’s no doubt that Shannahan should be a part of the coach of the year conversation.

Once thought to be a season-ending injury, medical personnel have concluded that Jimmy Garoppolo’s broken left foot will not require surgery. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback could reportedly return to the field in seven to eight weeks.

Initial reports suggested that the quarterback had suffered a Lisfranc injury against the Dolphins Sunday, which would have required season-ending surgery. Those assessments were later rejected. Following Garoppolo’s injury update, the 49ers announced that they will not put him on injured reserve, a clear sign that they hope to start him again this season. But Head Coach Kyle Shanahan clarified in a press conference that he still considers it a slim chance.

“It is not a Lisfranc (injury). They don’t have to do surgery on it. So, it’ll be a big recovery, but much less than what we anticipated,” Shanahan said. “There’s that way outside chance late into the playoffs or something like that. But it’s just an outside chance. I’m not really real optimistic about that, but they didn’t rule it out.”

As Shanahan noted, the 49ers would have to make a deep run in the playoffs for Garoppolo to have a chance of seeing the field again this season. Considering the team’s improvement in recent weeks, that could still be possible. After a somewhat productive start in 2022, the 49ers became a serious Super Bowl contender as its offense found its footing.

Now 8-4, new trade acquisition Christian McCaffrey has joined a scheme that includes receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, as well as star tight end George Kittle. Garoppolo was leading the dynamic offense to great effect before his recent setback.

After Garoppolo’s injury, backup quarterback Brock Purdy stepped in and guided San Francisco to a 33-17 win over Miami. After a successful college career at Iowa State, Purdy was the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is set to make the first start of his NFL career this week against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s busy offseason is only getting started. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the 49ers gave the quarterback and his agents permission to seek a trade. Shortly before this development, Garoppolo had been cleared to practice with the team following surgery in March.

Talk of the 49ers dealing Garoppolo has persisted for several months and intensified in May when Head Coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that the quarterback would likely be traded. Garoppolo’s surgery was reportedly responsible for the delay, and Schefter said that the 49ers are still “expected to exercise caution” as they explore options this summer.

In five seasons with the 49ers, Garoppolo has led the team in two lengthy postseason runs. In 2019, he threw for 3,978 passing yards and 27 touchdowns as San Francisco went 13-3 in the regular season. They lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

This past year, Garoppolo’s only other healthy season as a starter, the team snuck into the playoffs with a 10-7 record but upset the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers to advance to the NFC Championship Game. They lost 20-17 to the Los Angeles Rams, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

Based on his successful postseason resume, it’s clear that the 49ers aren’t looking for other options because of Garoppolo’s time on the field. By most measures, he appears to be a strong leader with a proven track record. But because of multiple injuries, his time off the field seems to be the primary issue.

Since 2018, Garoppolo has failed to complete two seasons with the team, and in those years, San Francisco earned a 10-22 combined record. With his most recent surgery in mind, the quarterback becomes even more of a liability.

Despite injury concerns, multiple teams are likely to inquire about Garoppolo as the season approaches. With Deshaun Watson in line for a lengthy suspension, the Cleveland Browns appear to be prime trade candidates with the cap space necessary to take on his contract, but many other teams could benefit from Garoppolo’s experience for the right price. The fight for Garoppolo is unlikely to turn into the sweepstakes that many other quarterbacks have enjoyed as free agents in recent years, but the upside for some teams will surely outweigh the potential hazards.

Following a nearly 18-minute Zoom media session Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers (as of now) quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looked into the camera and delivered what could only be construed as a farewell: “It’s been a hell of a ride. I love you guys. See ya.”

On that note, Garoppolo got up from his seat and walked away—literally and most likely figuratively.

It wasn’t surprising, as GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan earlier avoided questions about Jimmy G’s future with the team.

“If we knew exactly what was happening, we would have told Jimmy,” Shanahan said after the team’s playoff loss. “But this season just ended and we’ve got a great, young quarterback who was a rookie and we have a great quarterback here who is a veteran … I’ve got the ultimate respect for Jimmy and I’m very excited about Trey. That’s where we’re at right now.

“So, we’re in a situation where we’ve got to make some tough decisions that won’t be easy. But I’m happy about that. That means you’ve got the best scenario going and that’s why we’ve got to put a lot of thought into this. And Jimmy will know everything as we go.”

Garoppolo expects to be traded but hopes to have a say in where he lands.

“I was talking to John yesterday about finding the right destination and whatever the future holds, just doing it the right way,” Garoppolo said. “I’ve got a long career ahead of me. I’m excited about it. I’m excited about the opportunities to come. I just want to go to a place where they want to win. That’s really what I’m in this game for. I’m here to play football, win football games and as long as I’ve got that and good people around me, I think the rest will take care of itself.”

“Where” Jimmy G is traded to is the question, “when” is not. At the start of the new league year on March 16, Garoppolo is scheduled to count $26.905 million against San Francisco’s salary cap for 2022; moving him would save $25.505 million.

“As far as the whole trade situation, John [Lynch] has been very clear with it,” Garoppolo said. “I think they’re trying to do the best for me, I’m trying to do the best for them and we’re working together. We haven’t really made too much progress on it, but I think things will start happening here pretty quickly.”

One holdup could be Garoppolo’s right thumb, with which he played the final five games (including playoffs) on a torn ligament suffered in a December 23 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He plans to see a specialist this week about it.

“If I can avoid surgery, that’s really what I’m hoping for, but we’ll see,” Garoppolo said.