Road warriors? 49ers to play in first NFL game in Australia vs. Rams in 2026 (paywall)
“The date and time of the Australia game is not set, though the first week of the season is the expectation. The flight from San Francisco to Australia is roughly 16 hours, and the time difference in Melbourne is generally 17 to 19 hours ahead….“Australia is pretty far,” Niners running back Christian McCaffrey said when asked earlier this week about the possibility of an Australia game. “I’d love to see how the schedule would work. Transparently, that might be a little too far. I think you’d have to find another way to do that. … What’s that flight, like 20 hours or something?”
49ers rookie review: Plenty of contributors, but are any foundational pieces? (paywall)
“With Collins on the field, the 49ers allowed an explosive rush rate of 4.9 percent, which would have ranked third-best in the NFL. With Collins off the field, that figure was 7.3 percent, which would have ranked 17th.”
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Pelissero shares the latest on 49ers QB Mac Jones trade interest
“Frankly, Brock Purdy’s history would suggest there’s a decent chance that he may miss a game or two or five coming up this season, and in that case, you need a really good backup quarterback,” Pelissero explained.
While Jones could generate trade interest, Pelissero notes that the 49ers have little incentive to move him. But it’s also a year where the rookie quarterback class and free-agent options are limited.
“I would certainly anticipate there will be interest in Mac Jones if the 49ers are willing to answer the phone,” Pelissero added.“
Chris Simms details where the 49ers must improve this offseason
“At the top of Simms’ offseason checklist is the offensive line. He believes San Francisco must do a better job protecting quarterback Brock Purdy and revitalizing a run game that ranked 24th in the NFL last season.
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Simms also emphasized the need for another dynamic offensive playmaker to support Purdy.
“We’re coming towards the end of the Christian McCaffrey ‘I’m in the prime of my career’ era, right?” Simms said. “He’s starting on the downward slope here right now. So, I do think receiver, explosive—because I don’t expect Brandon Aiyuk to be back.”
Behind the Curtain: Missouri Edge Zion Young is a Clear Round 1 Talent (paywall)
“This is, without a question, a Round 1 talent. He may not be drafted in Round 1. But I don’t have any question about the talent.
He looks different. He moves different. The only other player in this game that popped off was his fellow edge, Damon Wilson II (#8).
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Young is massive, with serious power in his hands, and the ability to get skinny and set up stunts. He can hold on against double teams, and while he’s sometimes too aggressive in the run game, he has a consistent foundation to set the edge.
He needs to develop a better plan as a pass rusher, but his physical tools give him a solid foundation.
Two things that I mention in the video as separators for him, that make him different to me beyond the obvious traits:
1. He keeps his eyes up. He uses his height, length and strength to stay engaged and track plays as they develop, meaning he’s effective in disrupting and tracking down runs, and preventing explosives.
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2. We use the term contact balance mainly for running backs, but his contact balance is outrageous. He does not end plays on the ground. There’s one play in particular that highlights this. It allows him to stay active and require attention on every play, for the full length (as long as he’s engaged).“
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