The 49ers will have their first training camp practice today. There aren’t any pads, so don’t expect much news. But we are officially back.
If you haven’t seen this feed post from Fooch, he asked how many games Mike Evans would appear in this season. What say you?
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Onto today’s links…
Agent’s Take: Brandon Aiyuk has only himself to blame for
49ers limbo chaos
Aiyuk claimed he fired Williams in November. Williams was still listed as Aiyuk’s agent of record by the NFLPA until the end of June, when Aiyuk sent a written notice as required by their agent regulations. Presumably, Aiyuk told Williams verbally last November that his services were no longer needed. Although Williams hadn’t received a termination letter, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t be trying to protect Aiyuk’s interest anymore after such a conversation.
There wasn’t anything preventing Williams from making the split official at any time by sending Aiyuk a termination letter. For example, Antonio Brown and Johnny Manziel were fired by their respective agents.
I don’t doubt that Aiyuk was told by the NFLPA and/or Williams that he would be released in early June at the latest. That was likely before Aiyuk went AWOL. The 49ers are less inclined to reward what can reasonably be viewed as negative behavior.
George Kittle reveals one area where Kyle Shanahan has grown as 49ers coach
“His situational awareness, in my opinion, has grown so much,” Kittle said. “He’s been the head coach for going on 10 years now, and he’s just learned constantly — this part of the game matters the most. Got to hang onto the ball before halftime. Don’t let the other team score. Turnovers, whatever it is. Our whole team has realized that, too. We’ve all grown with it.”
“Sometimes we get one of the most difficult game plans I’ve ever seen in my entire life, and then another game, it’ll be the easiest game plan I’ve ever seen, but it’s versus a better team,” Kittle said. “I’m just like, ‘Kyle, what are we doing?’ But then they all work, and I’m just like, oh well. I’m having a great time regardless.”
Former All-Pro WR predicts career year for 49ers wideout
Coming to San Francisco, the 32-year-old is expected to be the team’s top wide receiver for Brock Purdy to target, and some, including legendary NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, believe that Evans will be great for the 49ers.
In a post on social media, Johnson predicted that Evans will catch 98 passes for 1,343 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2026. That would be the most receptions, the second-most receiving yards and tied for the fourth-most touchdowns that he’s had in year.
With Evans coming off of a rough season where he missed nine games due to injury, those are lofty predictions for this year, but if the 49ers got even 80% of that production, they’d probably be thrilled this year.
10. Sack leaders: Nick Bosa (10), Osa Odighizuwa (4.5), Mykel Williams (4), Romello Height (4).
11. Kittle will make his season debut in Week 2 after suffering a torn Achilles in January.
12. Purdy will miss two starts with a sprained AC joint. His season stats: 3,772 yards, 25 TDs, 11 INTs, completing 68.1% of his passes.
13. Their first draft pick, WR De’Zhaun Stribling, will have 36 catches for 458 yards and 3 TDs.
14. A running back who is not on the current roster will have at least 40 carries.
15. A pass rusher who is not on the current roster will have at least four sacks.
Every Player on the Roster Bubble for the 49ers: Who’s In, Who’s Out
Running Back Isaac Guerendo
Guerendo will need to make it with special teams.
Wide Receiver Demarcus Robinson
Robinson could prove more reliable than Kirk in the preseason.
Wide Receiver Junior Bergen
Bergen could earn a spot by returning kicks and punts.
Tight End Brayden Willis
The tight end room is thin, opening a door for Willis.
Offensive Tackle Austen Pleasants
Pleasants could outshine one of Vederian Lowe or Enrique Cruz.
Offensive Lineman Nick Zakelj
The versatility of Zakelj gives him a chance to stick around.
Interior Defensive Lineman Evan Anderson
The following three linemen will all compete for a fifth spot. They will also compete with Gracen Halton for the fourth spot.
49ers starter entering ‘make-or-break’ season, per PFF
PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote that Lenoir is one of 10 players on Super Bowl contenders who make or break his respective teams’ 2026 campaign. Locker pointed to a step back in coverage and run defense as reasons for concern with Lenoir.
It’s still remarkable that the 49ers reached the divisional round given their defense finished 31st in success rate. While injuries and issues affected almost every level of the unit, Lenoir was also more ineffective than usual.
Lenoir led San Francisco in defensive snaps but posted a 65.7 PFF coverage grade, good for the 62nd percentile — a dip from the 74-plus coverage grades he posted in each of the previous two seasons. His 99.8 passer rating allowed still ranked 20th-highest among qualified corners, and he graded in the 51st percentile in coverage at outside corner. He was also flagged a career-high 10 times, and his run-defense grade fell to a personal low of 44.3.
