It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are set to face Philip Rivers in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. The last time Rivers played in the NFL, the media had to communicate with players and coaches
via Zoom.
We’re going to take a page out of the Colts’ script. What if the 49ers could build an unbelievable story of their own? The 49ers lost their quarterback for several games, but they’re without two of their best players and two of the best players in the NFL, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.
Your answer doesn’t have to be a linebacker or a pass rusher, but this is a franchise that has had some elite players at those positions. Could you imagine Patrick Willis or NaVorro Bowman dusting off their cleats and playing a game in Levi’s Stadium?
A defensive line that could use an injection of talent could certainly use Aldon Smith off the edge or Justin Smith creating havoc inside. For this exercise, it doesn’t have to be a recently retired player. They can be from any era. Let’s get ridiculous.
Which 49ers player would you want to pull out of retirement right now?
My answer: Charles Haley
As tempting as it is to say one of the Hall of Famers like Jerry Rice or Terrell Owens — imagine how easy their lives would be in a Kyle Shanahan offense — I’m going to stick with the defensive side of the ball and resurrect those prime seasons of a young Charles Haley, who racked up double-digit sacks in four of his first five seasons. I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’d be successful in any area against any offensive tackle, especially in a defense where Robert Saleh would move him around. I was born in 1987, so I’m not going to pretend like I watched Haley live. But I have YouTube and Pro Football Reference. I’m guessing Haley didn’t have many reps against interior offensive linemen. That would change in 2025.
Which former 49ers player would you take from retirement right now? Share your answer in the comment section below.
