Tag: San Francisco 49ers

Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (left) hands off to wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (right) during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

‘Time happens’ as 49ers dial up Deebo trade, talk money with QB Brock Purdy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Time off is great, but 49ers general manager John Lynch would prefer not to start vacation mode in January again.

From the Super Bowl to missing the playoffs, San Francisco had more time than usual to plot a strategy for the upcoming offseason after finishing the 2024 season with a 6-11 record. The 49ers last finished with fewer than 10 wins in a season in 2020 (6-10).

“We need to get younger,” Lynch said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

In 2020, that meant reloading the defensive line — defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was the 14th overall pick — and selecting wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk with a second first-round pick. They also drafted wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the seventh round.

As the 49ers angle for a fresh start, wide receiver Deebo Samuel asked for one of his own. Lynch confirmed Wednesday action has been hot and heavy with multiple teams interested in acquiring Samuel, a player All-Pro tight end George Kittle has said cannot be replaced.

“The financial restraints and some conversations we’ve had with Deebo — we’re on good terms with Deebo. He’s asked for a fresh start and I think we’re going to honor that. Don’t like seeing great players — and he is a great player. I think often, one of my favorite draft picks in my time, he makes plays. He makes game-changing plays. Everything’s good. At some point, time happens. It probably makes sense. So we’re at least allowing him to look.”

The 49ers did the same with Aiyuk last summer with a contract holdout reaching a stalemate before negotiating a four-year, $120 million contract that signaled Samuel’s time could be up.

He turned 29 in January and the 2019 second-round pick hits the market after a 51-catch season, his lowest production in a full season over his six years in San Francisco. Samuel had 33 catches in 2020, when he was limited to seven games because of a broken foot.

Lynch said the 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy “started negotiations” but there’s no guarantees the two sides get a deal done before the 2025 regular season.

“I won’t go into negotiations like always is our stance. We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here and beyond and we’ll leave it at that,” Lynch said. “My experience has been when both sides are motivated, there’s ample opportunity to do so.”

The final pick of the 2022 draft, Purdy enters the final season of his rookie contract with a base salary of $5.265 million thanks to a proven performance escalator in all NFL rookie contracts. His original four-year deal included a total salary of $3.74 million. Purdy turned 25 in December and has a 27-15 record, including 4-2 in the playoffs, with the 49ers.

Lynch said Purdy should have his left tackle of choice, Trent Williams, in front of him again in 2025. Williams turns 37 in July and missed the final seven games last season with an ankle injury.

“He’s playing,” Lynch said of the four-time All-Pro. “I think he’s really motivated to come back. When you’re a player that has experience playing at those heights, you don’t want to play unless you’re playing at that level, and I think that’s where Trent’s at. … I think we’re going to see a real motivated Trent Williams to come back and have a great year, and that’s a good thing for us.”

Running back Christian McCaffrey ended the season on IR with a posterior cruciate ligament knee injury and was sidelined early in the season with calf and Achilles issues. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, McCaffrey had 21 total TDs and over 2,100 yards from scrimmage two seasons ago.

Lynch said McCaffrey should be ready to roll to start the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the 49ers will consider ways to prevent him from trying to do too much too soon.

“Christian’s doing really well,” he said. “And I think (he) was real frustrated with the way last season went. And doing everything that is possible, as he did in preparation for last year. And we’re hoping Christian McCaffrey is out there and going to have a tremendous year. If he’s healthy, he will have a tremendous year. That’s just what he does.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) tries to avoid Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) on a run in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey leaves game with knee injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey departed Sunday night’s snow game against the Buffalo Bills early in the second quarter due to a knee injury.

The 49ers originally listed McCaffrey as questionable to return shortly after he left the playing surface for further examination. However, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan later told NBC that the 28-year-old was done for the game.

“He’s not going to return,” Shanahan said in an interview at the start of the third quarter.

McCaffrey had 53 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for 14 yards before exiting.

McCaffrey was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight due to Achilles tendinitis in both legs.

He was averaging just under 10 yards per carry prior to the play on which he was hurt. McCaffrey caught a toss from quarterback Brock Purdy with under 11 1/2 minutes to go in the first half and quickly dropped to the ground for a 5-yard loss and then headed to the sideline.

McCaffrey was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores.

McCaffrey hasn’t scored a touchdown in his four appearances this season. He has rushed for 202 yards on 50 carries and caught 15 passes for 146 yards.

Buffalo led 21-3 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2024; East Rutherford, NY, USA; New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) participates in a drill during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Report: 49ers adding ex-Giants CB Nick McCloud

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers are adding former New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud to their practice squad, The Athletic reported Monday.

The Giants cut McCloud last week after he reportedly refused a pay cut. He had started five of his seven games for New York this season, registering 14 tackles and one pass defensed.

McCloud, 26, saw action in two games as an undrafted rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. He appeared in 38 games (16 starts) over three seasons with the Giants, accumulating 85 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

McCloud had a one-year, $2.985 million contract with the Giants and was approached by the salary cap-strapped club about taking a pay cut, per the New York Post.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (14) score a touchdown past Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

49ers finally on target to edge Buccaneers 23-20

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jake Moody found redemption on a 44-yard field goal as time expired as the visiting San Francisco 49ers finished off a 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in the return of Christian McCaffrey.

Moody had earlier missed field goals of 49, 50 and 44, with the final one of the bunch coming with 3:09 remaining.

Moody’s third miss led to Chase McLaughlin’s 26-yard field goal for the Buccaneers to tie the game 20-20 with 41 seconds remaining.

The Bucs drove to the 49ers’ 8-yard line to set up for the game-tying kick with the help of four penalties and a circus 8-yard completion by Baker Mayfield, who escaped pressure and fended off defensive end Nick Bosa long enough to get off a throw.

Purdy’s 13-yard pass to Jauan Jennings set up San Francisco’s game-winning field goal from Moody. Jenings had seven receptions for 93 yards.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan worked McCaffrey back into the mix immediately after missing the first eight games of the season with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. His presence also freed up opportunities for wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Jennings — both of whom had been dealing with injuries — and tight end George Kittle.

McCaffrey, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, finished with 39 yards rushing on 13 carries and 68 receiving yards on six catches for San Francisco (5-4).

Purdy finished 25-for-36 for 353 yards with touchdown passes to rookie Ricky Pearsall and Kittle. Pearsall’s 46-yard TD reception in the first quarter, which gave the 49ers a 7-0 lead, was the first score of the rookie’s career and came after he was shot in the chest in a robbery attempt in August. He finished with four receptions for 73 yards.

Tampa Bay (4-6) lost All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs to a knee injury in the first half.

Rachaad White’s 9-yard touchdown reception from Mayfield tied the game 10-10 on the Bucs’ first drive of the second half as Tampa Bay exploited a muffed punt by Jacob Cowing at the San Francisco 21.

Kittle’s 11-yard TD catch came after Purdy extended the play, giving San Francisco a 20-17 lead with 7:02 left. The six-play, 64-yard drive was helped by an over-the-shoulder catch by McCaffrey that went for 30 yards.

Tampa Bay took its first lead of the game 17-13 with 14:18 left against a defense withering in 90-degree heat. Running back Bucky Irving sliced in from 12 yards to cap a 10-play, 70-yard drive.

Mayfield finished 18 of 29 for 116 yards and one TD.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) talks to the media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

49ers CB Charvarius Ward reveals death of 1-year-old daughter

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward revealed Tuesday that his 1-year-old daughter passed away. No cause of death was given.

Ward’s daughter, Amani Joi Ward, was born premature with Down syndrome and had open-heart-surgery on April 11 of last year.

“We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning,” Ward wrote on Instagram. “She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear. She taught us to have patience, trust, and a positive outlook on life.

“She showed us true strength and bravery. She overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up every room with her smile.”

The 49ers (4-4) are on their bye week.

Ward, 28, is in his seventh NFL season and third with the 49ers after playing four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He went undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State.

In seven starts this season, Ward has 35 tackles with five passes defended. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time last season after he had five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and 23 passes defended.

–Field Level Media