SANTA CLARA – Mail name, on our manner out the door for the 49ers’ solely bye week this season:
Christian McCaffrey is the straightforward reply, if his arduous highway again from Achilles tendinitis leads him again into follow subsequent week and presumably into video games promptly thereafter. If not, search for Fred Warner to revert into early-season MVP mode as his troublesome ankle and steely mindset recharge over the bye.
As for the 49ers’ largest disappointment, gosh, should we decide on only one participant when so many have had breakdowns by way of 4 defeats? Expectations had been larger for Leonard Floyd (three sacks) due to his two-year, $20 million contract that was the 49ers’ richest in free company, however he’s made some key performs and began each sport. De’Vondre Campbell wasn’t anticipated to regain his 2021 All-Professional kind, however Deebo Samuel was and he has totaled one receiving landing, one dashing landing, and one scary bout with pneumonia.
Because the 2016 presidential election neared, Colin Kaepernick intersected sports activities and politics (and society) to turn out to be essentially the most polarizing participant I’ve ever reported on (in an goal, neutral position, as this job requires). Bosa’s campaigning appeared extra playful than contentious as he confirmed off a “Make America Great Again” hat whereas crashing NBC’s postgame interviews of his teammates. He may have expanded on his political opinions in his ensuing press convention, however as a substitute solely supplied that it’s an “important time” heading into subsequent Tuesday’s election.
As for potential locker room rigidity, there hasn’t been any vocal chatter about politics throughout open locker room with media current, although Monday’s entry may very well be extra revealing as a result of it’s on Election Eve.
Whereas Bosa’s actions may draw an NFL effective for its uniform code – the league workplace has been mute on this – it received’t evaluate to the magnitude of consideration forged on the 49ers eight years in the past with Kaepernick. Except Bosa desires it to. The 49ers are off till Monday, the election is Tuesday, then a sport at Tampa Bay is on Sunday.
Monday’s loss of life of Charvarius Ward’s toddler daughter, Amani Joi, certainly will rally help from his teammates in his grieving course of. The 49ers have endured lots of numbing occasions since February’s Tremendous Bowl defeat: rookie Ricky Pearsall surviving a gunshot by way of his chest per week earlier than the season opener, plus the NFL’s damage impacts (see: McCaffrey’s Achilles points, Brandon Aiyuk’s knee damage). They need to circle the wagons once more, have their teammate’s again and block out any distracting feelings to allow them to pour all else into profitable the subsequent sport, then the subsequent one, and many others.
John Lynch stated on KNBR that they weren’t taking a look at Diontae Johnson earlier than Carolina shipped him to Baltimore, so maybe that confirms broad receiver isn’t seen as an pressing want regardless of Aiyuk’s absence (until they’re eyeing another person reminiscent of Kendrick Bourne). The 49ers have to get assist for his or her line of defense, ideally a flexible one who can rush on the sting and inside.
Trending again up after beating the Cowboys with 260 passing yards (one landing, no interceptions) and as many dashing yards (56) as Dallas’ whole output. Thus, the $1 million QB improved to 3-0 in opposition to Dak Prescott, a $60-million-per-year QB. So Purdy deserves $61 million yearly, proper? That may very well be the market fee when he turns into eligible for an extension subsequent yr. My sense is Purdy is not going to make a hard-line stand for a file contract, however comply with a extra team-friendly construction, in Tom Brady-esque trend.
Nonetheless, assuming he stays wholesome and on this ascending path, Purdy ought to command over $55 million yearly. That’s what Joe Burrow (Bengals), Jordan Love (Packers) and Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) acquired of their extensions, the latter two quarterbacks signing these offers final June. The 49ers have overtly talked about paying Purdy, not simply to make up for his cut price fee because the 2022 NFL Draft’s final decide, however for his present and future fortunes within the win column.
Huge receiver Jauan Jennings is predicted again subsequent week, for the primary time since a hip damage was reported after the Oct. 10 win in Seattle. He has missed solely 5 of 68 video games in 4 1/2 seasons.
Learn subsequent week’s mailbag. There’s no assure any of us make it again from the bye weekend.
