“I can’t imagine anything worse than that as a team,” ranted Stephen A. Smith after De’Vondre Campbell refused to play for them in the week 15 game against the LA Rams. His teams, HC Kyle Shanahan, fans, and media, everyone had something negative to say. But they suspended him from playing any further games in the season. However, the 49ers had dual Monday blues on February 10.

The Niners revoked the linebacker’s suspension. Campbell will enter the free agency on March 12. But most NFL fans and players are assured he will not get a job in the league again. It was a blow. He had a pretty decent outing with the franchise, recording 2 defended passes, 1 QB hit, and 79 tackles (44 solo) in  13 games (12 starter) in the 2024 season. His behavior might be the prime reason behind it, though.

Though the front office would have done their homework regarding the Campbell situation, the bigger jolt was the receiver Deebo Samuel wanting out of the franchise. The 49ers were hopeful of creating a robust O-line this year. And the receiver was a key piece for that. However, he has a 3-year $71.5 million contract till 2025.

If the WR opts out, the 49ers would have a $15.87 million salary cap with a $31 million cap hit. But if they do it post-June 1, they can save $5 million in salary cap with only a $10.7 million cap hit. But it would certainly shake their locker room, increasing the work for Kyle Shanahan.

Amid all this, the receiver has rocked the NFL world by praising the Broncos as the potential Super Bowl winners. His words were almost similar to HC Sean Payton’s claims that they needed a WR who could also play as TE or RB. So, is he going there?

While the franchise finds answers to these, the owner has come out with his stance on the most important position. The quarterback!

Kyle Shanahan might get his QB back in 2025

“I know we want Brock to be here for a long time and we’ll do everything we can to make that work. Brock is just a tremendous human being. I’m looking forward to a long-term partnership,” said the owner Jed York before a ceremony for Super Bowl LIX. It brings back the memories of the last conference of the 2024 season.

Kyle Shanahan diverted the question about Brock Purdy’s extension to wanting his entire roster back for the OTAs. In 3 years, the QB has taken them once into the playoffs, when they lost the Super Bowl LVIII to the Chiefs. This year, he had a turbulent 6-9 win-loss record. He also wanted to get an extension as early as possible.

However, there are talks that the 49ers might try to draft a new rookie. If that happens, his QB1 position would be in danger. Fans want them to win trophies. But the road ahead is tough.