I already planned to write this Jock Blog when we had the great and legendary 49ers beat man Matty Maiocco on the show this morning, so I did a test run.
“Is it fair to say, Matt,” I asked, beginning my best courtroom prosecutor impression, “that the 49ers, by losing so much veteran leadership, so much swagger, so much experience, have removed themselves from being an obvious contender for the Super Bowl this upcoming season?”
Matty verified my hypothesis.
“Absolutely,” Maiocco said, making my test run look good.
Matty went on to say that anyone who believes the 49ers are legitimate contenders for the Super Bowl this season are taking “an extreme leap of faith.”
Your honor, I rest my case.
That’s today’s Jock Blog, sports fans: With the trade of Deebo Samuel, with the loss of Dre Greenlaw to free agency, with the release of Kyle Juszczyk, with the release of Leonard Floyd, with the release of Maliek Collins — geez, is this list still going? — with the loss of Jaylon Moore to free agency, with the loss of Talanoa Hufanga to free agency, heck, with the release of Deebo agitator Taybor Pepper (!!), have the 49ers changed their identity so much that the championship-or-bust aura has evaporated?
Until further notice, the answer is yes.
Too many core figures leaving — particularly Greenlaw and Juszczyk and Deebo — means the 2019-24 party that saw two Super Bowl berths and four NFC Championship appearances is over. These are veterans and leaders and locker room tone-setters, each of whom bought into the mission.
And when parties are over, you have to clean up. No one likes to clean up after a party. Too many Red solo cups under the couch and in the backyard.
Now, of course, comes the part of the Jock Blog where we provide counterargument. And that counterargument says that as long as a franchise-“ish” quarterback is around — you going to sign that deal, Brock Purdy? — a team has a chance in the NFL. And as long as a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year is on the team — feeling healthy Christian McCaffrey? — a team has a chance. And as long as a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year — ready for more sacks, Nick Bosa ? — has a jersey, a team has a chance. And as long as first-team All-Pros at linebacker and tight end and offensive tackle — hello, legendary leaders Fred Warner and George Kittle and Trent Williams— have lockers, a team has a chance.
This is true. Kittle, Bosa, Warner and Purdy have all won the Len Eshmont Award as 49ers, symbolizing inspiration and leadership. These are legitimate dudes, and when they read this Jock Blog, they will likely use it as fuel every day and every night. NFL Films may even catch Fred Warner screaming in a pregame locker room before a playoff game in January 2026, “REMEMBER THAT MOTHER FATHER MURPHY AND THAT JOCK BLOG FROM LAST MARCH! PROVE HIS SORRY ASS WRONG! FAMILY ON THREE!”
If the 49ers were in a true “rebuild”, they’d trade one or more of these players. The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox and — dare we say? — John Fisher’s formerly Oakland A’s would trade McCaffrey or Warner or Kittle. The Niners, to the best of our knowledge, are not. That would be a whole ‘nother Jock Blog.
Big picture, we understand what the 49ers are doing. The five-year run has resulted in an older, slower, less healthy and more expensive roster. A team that wants to stay in the mix must get younger, faster, healthier and cheaper.
But also big picture, that’s too much turnover for a team to think it can keep throwing punches with the Super Bowl champ Eagles, or the hungry Detroit Lions, or maybe even the Davante Adams Rams, who have done a house clean of their own and now are young, fresh and hungry at key positions. The 2025 season screams of a transition.
If — and this is the big IF hanging over the entire organization — John Lynch and the crew can nail this upcoming draft April 24-26 at Lambeau Field (of all places) then maybe the 49ers can be set for a 2026-onward surge back to the NFC elite.
Until then, the empty lockers in Santa Clara shout memories of yesteryear, and of a team saying goodbye to some glory days, with hard work ahead.