49ers embrace urgency after disappointing 2024 season
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The vibes were off from the start of last season for the San Francisco 49ers.
Contract disputes provided a cloud over the team throughout the spring and summer, the Super Bowl hangover and a third straight short offseason sapped some energy and a lack of roster turnover led to some staleness around the Niners.
Advertisement
Those factors and a bevy of injuries turned a Super Bowl contender into a 6-11 also-ran, leading coach Kyle Shanahan to deliver a blunt message at the end of the season about what needed to change in 2025.
'I felt guys weren't ready to come back,' Shanahan said about the 2024 season. 'I understood that. But I told them how I won't really understand it this year. Not that that was right or wrong, but I couldn't comprehend it. We're off five weeks earlier. We all know how disappointed we are and a lot of us have played a lot of football here. But we're going to have a team that doesn't know what we've done in the past or how you guys have earned a lot of stuff, we need to show them.'
As the 49ers begin their final week of the offseason program on Monday, the change has been palpable.
The team was able to resolve its major contract questions early in the offseason by reaching extensions with quarterback Brock Purdy, linebacker Fred Warner and tight end George Kittle without any drama or acrimony.
Advertisement
The attendance for the voluntary offseason program was high with most of the key players on hand to help teach the rookies and other newcomers the standard for how the 49ers operate. Star left tackle Trent Williams was one of the few notable players not on hand for the first week of on-field practices but was back in town last week.
Shanahan stressed the importance of showing up in April and the players listened, leading to the successful spring. Shanahan said he didn't have to make any requests after the season-ending meeting and the players said there was no need for a group discussion about making sure everyone was bought in for this season.
'I didn't think we had to do all that,' Warner said. 'Kyle made a point of that at the end of last season when he said how important it was to be back for this phase because of how last season went, and we knew what we were getting ourselves into with a whole new group, a lot of young players. We all made the decision on our own to be back here."
The urgency that may have been lacking at times in 2024 is back this offseason as the Niners want to avoid any sort of repeat of last year's disappointment.
Advertisement
San Francisco had lost in the NFC title games following the 2021 and 2022 seasons and then fell just short in the Super Bowl in the 2023 season, losing the title game in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Those deep runs led to reduced time off with some players choosing rest over rushing back to be on hand for the entire offseason program.
That was not the case this spring as the team plans to incorporate several new starters on both sides of the ball following a roster purge in March.
'When your season ends and you're not making the playoffs, your desire to be back in the building and to get that taste out of your mouth, I think is expedited,' Kittle said. 'Guys want to be back for it. When you're playing in the middle of February, you kind of need an extra month. That's why a lot of guys don't show up to phase two or stuff like that. But there is an importance of phase one, the team building stuff. Kyle wanted us to be back. I think guys were going to be here regardless just because they were ready to go back and play football.'
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals' free agent addition of LB Josh Sweat named top-25 offseason move
Arizona Cardinals' free agent addition of LB Josh Sweat named top-25 offseason move In the 25 best offseason moves this year, the Cardinals' addition of Josh Sweat comes in at No. 23. The Arizona Cardinals made a number of notable moves in the offseason on defense. Their biggest move money-wise was adding linebacker Josh Sweat, signing him to a four-year, $76.4 million deal. They hope he can jump start their presence off the edge. Bleacher Report named it one of the 25 best offseason moves, coming in at No. 23. When last we saw Josh Sweat, he was giving Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes nightmares in Super Bowl LIX. That monstrous performance earned Sweat an equally robust contract from the Cardinals, where he will join the re-signed Baron Browning and youngster B.J. Ojulari on a pass rush that was middle of the pack in sacks a year ago. Got to get after the quarterback to succeed in today's NFL. Sweat had his two best NFL seasons in 2021 and 2022 when Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was his defensive coordinator and Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was his linebackers coach. Last season, he had eight sacks and added another two and a half in the Super Bowl. But Sweat isn't just a solid pass rusher. He is great and physical against the run, something that Rallis loves. Sweat's addition should both improve the pass rush and the Cardinals' run defense, both of which were problems in 2024. With Sweat and the return of Ojulari and Baron Browning, their edge presence should be solid. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Should the Panthers pursue newly-released CB Jaire Alexander?
Should the Panthers pursue newly-released CB Jaire Alexander? On Monday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Unable to come to terms on a compromise for the final two years and $37 million of their contract, the two sides officially parted ways right before the start of the team's mandatory minicamp. Also set to begin their minicamp on Tuesday are the Carolina Panthers, who could be willing to pick up the piece the Packers just left behind. But would signing Alexander make much sense in this current timeline? Well, it does on the depth chart, where the Panthers are still painfully thin at the outside cornerback position. Behind starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson sit Shemar Bartholomew and Akayleb Evans—who have four seasons of NFL experience between them—and three undrafted rookies. Heck, Horn and Jackson aren't exactly sure things either. The former has missed 31 of a possible 68 career games due to injuries while the latter is still trying to establish himself as a bonafide No. 2 in the secondary. Although the Panthers seem comfortable in moving forward with that tandem, teaming up Alexander with his fellow Pro Bowler in Horn suddenly gives them one of the best cornerback pairings in the NFL. The addition would also bump Jackson into a backup role, immediately strengthening that questionable depth. The prospect of signing Alexander, however, gets a little more complicated in the numbers game. For one, he presumably won't be looking to sign for cheap. Carolina has approximately $18 million in salary cap space, which ranks in the bottom half in the league and behind other potential suitors (some Super Bowl contenders) such as the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Plus, Alexander hasn't exactly been the most durable player in recent seasons. Due to numerous injuries, he was limited to 37 of Green Bay's 72 games (including postseason) between the 2021 and 2024 campaigns—so he's not the sure presence the Panthers need either. What he could be, though, is a potential mercenary. Yes, the term "mercenary" in sports is often reserved for teams in a championship window. And Carolina, obviously, is still trying to push that damn thing open. But now, especially in the current state of the NFC South, it may not be crazy to think that the Panthers could accomplish their goal of stealing the division in 2025. They can also offer Alexander, who lived most of his youth in the Charlotte area, something no other team can—home. Inking the 28-year-old Alexander to an expensive long-term pact doesn't feel like it should be in the realm of possibility for the young and upcoming Panthers roster. Instead, Carolina might want to consider a one-year trial run. Prior to his release, Alexander was taking in an annual average salary of $21 million—the fifth-highest amongst all cornerbacks. And he probably won't be very close to that number on his next agreement, considering the Packers—who have a good amount of cap space and real playoff hopes—weren't willing to continue at that price. If the Panthers can set aside about $14 million to $16 million for 2025, or even adjust an existing contract or two to make some space, then they may be able to sell Alexander on returning to his old stomping grounds for a prove-it deal. He can help catapult Carolina into contention while setting himself up for a more secure payday for 2026 and beyond. With the doubts surrounding his availability, Alexander may not end up finding that final big-time offer on the open market this summer. But he could find an intriguing opportunity, one that has the potential to be mutually beneficial for himself and his hometown team. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Germaine Pratt's Release Could Benefit Commanders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Washington Commanders have come a long way from a Daniel Snyder era that produced more nightmares than restful evenings. Josh Harris has been a breath of fresh air, breathing life back into a once-proud franchise that fell on hard times for more than three decades. After winning three Super Bowls between the 1982 season and January of 1992, Washington has only won five playoff games since then. Two came this past January under the current regime. For the first time in a long time, the future looks as good as the past. Those dark clouds are finally producing some silver linings. Germaine Pratt #57, Washington Commanders news (Photo by) Germaine Pratt #57, Washington Commanders news (Photo by) Photo by/Newsweek/Getty Images Following an NFC Championship Game this past January, Washington set its sights on reloading. Things seem to be going well on that front. There are conflicting reports about the Deebo Samuel acquisition. Some say it won't lead to much. Others state the combination of Deebo and Terry McLaurin is frightening. Washington will no doubt go as far as Jayden Daniels and company will lead them, but the defense will have to limit some of these powerful opposing NFC offenses. For all their hard offseason work, the Commanders are still in need of help at edge rusher, but thanks to a recent development, they may have been gifted with an opportunity to add linebacker depth by an AFC North squad. Must read: Commanders Evaluation Is Music to Jayden Daniels' Ears The Commanders should at least inquire about Germaine Pratt after his release Washington doesn't see the Cincinnati Bengals very often. Unless they meet in a Super Bowl, they're probably only going to see each other once every four seasons, but Cincy may have thrown an alley-oop pass. They released veteran Germaine Pratt to save almost $6 million. For a Commanders team led by a defensive mastermind, that news has to be seen as being interesting. It's hard to gauge the temperature for what's going on with the team formerly known as 'The Bungles'. They seemingly only want to pay their quarterback and his wide receivers. No one on the defensive side of the ball appears to be a priority. Must read: NFL Trade Idea Presents Bold Swap Between Commanders and Jets Trey Hendrickson seems firm in his stance that he isn't playing without a new deal. Two of their rookie defenders, Shemar Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr., remain unsigned, and Pratt asked to be traded after the most recent season back in February. Pratt, a former third-round selection enters his seventh NFL season this summer, and for the first time, it will be with a new organization. Might the Commanders be interested? They should at least inquire. Six years with the Bengals produced 616 tackles, seven interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. 143 tackles during the 2024-25 season doubles as his career high in that category. More news: Commanders Could Resurface as Potential Jaire Alexander Suitors Washington has a lot of money tied up in the linebacker position already. Much of which is consumed by Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, but if they are interested in depth and another good player to add to the rotation, Pratt is a gamer. He may also provide a decent succession plan for Wagner. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee may begin to consider his mortality and retirement in the near future.
