Ex-49ers LB highlights practice intensity shift after leaving San Francisco “It’s just two different personality coaches,” Greenlaw said. “Sean’s old school. He’s going to do six days on, one day off.
He’s got his way of doing things. You’re going to be practicing three hours on Wednesday, three hours on Friday. Shanahan, he’s the complete opposite. He wants you fresh. It’s two completely different mindsets. They both have their way of doing things, and it’s for good reasons, too.”
Silver: Appreciating John Brodie, the only athlete of his kind in NFL history (paywall)
“Brodie spent all 201 games of his 17-season NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. He was the 1970 MVP, once an Associated Press first-team All-Pro, twice a Pro Bowl choice and the 1965 Comeback Player of the Year. He even took the NFL to the brink in court, earning a huge raise after challenging the league’s coveted antitrust status.
Brodie, who died Friday morning at age 90, retired third on the all-time passing yardage list behind Fran Tarkenton and Johnny Unitas.
The Stanford grad then became a broadcasting star at NBC, serving as the network’s No. 1 NFL analyst (he also announced PGA and tennis events).
Having summited the TV sports world, Brodie joined the Senior PGA Tour and, at age 56 in 1991, won an event whose field featured every top-10 money leader to that point in the season, including Chi Chi Rodriguez and Lee Trevino (Arnold Palmer was also in the field).
Brodie outdueled Rodriguez (eight wins on the PGA Tour, 22 on the senior circuit) and George Archer (13 PGA, 19 senior) to win, sticking a 9-iron to within 4 inches on the first playoff hole. After Brodie tapped in, Rodriguez, ever the showman, playfully placed a handkerchief over the ex-QB’s eyes before lining up his own birdie putt from 12 feet.
“He told me, ‘You don’t want to look at this because it will kill you,’” Brodie recounted after the round. “I knew he was going to put on a little show, but that’s part of the deal. If you can’t handle that, you ought to get out of the kitchen.”
Rodriguez’s putt missed. Brodie became a pro golf champion nearly 35 years after turning down a football scholarship to Stanford so he could skip spring drills, letting him play on the golf team as well.“
49ers face closing Super Bowl window with aging core and $50.3M in cap space (paywall)
“Maybe someone like fast free-agent tight end Kyle Pitts moves the needle.
The 49ers have plenty of money for someone such as Pitts and/or pass rusher Trey Hendrickson or a big guard or a playmaking defensive back after last offseason’s cutbacks.“
Hutchinson: The War Room: Welcome to the 49ers Offseason Newsletter
“But I think Monroe Freeling is a surefire first rounder, and I’d be surprised if he got into the 20s. He feels like the best of Mike McGlinchey (who got more shit than he deserved because he went ninth overall, and when he did lose a pass rush rep, you could yell “TIIIIIMBER!” as he fell down), but with a slightly more balanced frame.
If there’s a guard that’s got punch up front to believe in right now, it’s [Emmanuel] Pregnon. And I’m just not sure there’s much to take issue with in [Blake] Miller’s game. Former wrestler. Always a good thing.
3 Prospects I’m Lower On Right Now:
- Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
- Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
- Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
There’s some talk and projection of Ioane as a first rounder, and if it’s late, I get it. But there’s a wide gap between the highlights and the tape on early watch. He’s a bit of a project, in my view, and one worth taking on. I think he’s a fantastic pass protector, but especially for the 49ers, he’s not answering that question of drive in the run game.
Every punch feels light with Tiernan. Dunker has a world-class name, but he’s got Austin Pleasants-level stiffness. I’m disappointed thus far, but he’s a mack truck when he gets attached.“
49ers address the trenches in CBS Sports 2026 NFL mock draft
“Peter Woods looks the part and has impressive traits, but he didn’t have the season many expected,” Brockermeyer wrote. “He still shows good power and leverage against double-teams and flashes quickness on stunts and games.”
Woods’ Pro Football Focus grades have declined each season, beginning with an 87.6 overall defensive grade in 2023 and falling to 72.2 in 2025. His run-defense grade dipped from 88.6 to 74.2 over that span, while his pass-rush grade declined from 75.9 to 65.5.
Despite the downturn in grades, Brockermeyer sees potential in Woods. He has tallied five sacks in his past two seasons.“
49ers add potential George Kittle successor in Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft
“”Sadiq could go much higher than 27th overall,” Jeremiah wrote. “He’s undersized, but he has outstanding speed and is a competitive blocker. He would be [the] ultimate chess piece for Kyle Shanahan, giving the coach a hybrid of George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk.”
49ers add receiver, running back in 3-round NFL mock draft
“Zachariah Branch may not yet be generating tons of first-round buzz, but the Georgia receiver has the film to change that quickly,” Elijah wrote. “His 2025 production earned him the third-highest PFSN WR Impact grade in the nation at 85.6, highlighting his ability to consistently create separation, make contested catches, and threaten defenses downfield.”
