Legendary former San Francisco 49ers owner and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Eddie DeBartolo Jr. will be honored at Levi's Stadium during the team's
November 20 game against the New England Patriots. The event, which was scheduled months ago, certainly has the potential to be an awkward situation.
In case you haven't been following them this season, the 49ers are bad. Like, historically bad. If you didn't know that, we're really sorry to have to break the news to you. The defense is ranked last in the league in points, total yards, and rushing yards allowed. They are on pace to give up 3,088 rushing yards, which would be the most in the NFL since the 1978 Buffalo Bills, and 520 points this season –
probably more. They have allowed a 100-yard rusher in seven straight games. That is an NFL record. That number is likely to be eight by the time the 49ers meet the Patriots.
So we have established that the 49ers are bad this season. While a half empty stadium, which has been the case for multiple home games this year, would be awkward in itself, that is not likely to be the case for the 49ers' matchup with the Patriots. The stadium may be nearly full. The problem is that the majority of the fans will likely be supporting the Patriots and not the home team. Their fans travel well and 49ers fans have not had much reason to venture out to Levi's Stadium to watch the team. That could be awkward.
There is also the fact that the Patriots are pretty good and are very likely to blow out the 49ers. It could be pretty embarrassing. That could be awkward.
In August, DeBartolo acknowledged that the 49ers are starting all over with head coach Chip Kelly. "I think they're going to do just fine," said DeBartolo Jr. "It's just going to take a while."
There was a name that was noticeably missing from DeBartolo's enshrinement speech in August. His nephew Jed York, the current CEO of the 49ers who lost the support of fans years ago following the firing of Jim Harbaugh. And then, more recently, DeBartolo's daughter, Lisa,
publicly expressed her opinion of DeBartolo's nephew and even
supported the wishes of fans that want to see her dad as the owner again. The fans loved her for it. Will she be present for the honoring of her father? That could be awkward. Will York be there? That could be awkward.
If York does make an appearance, the home team fans will almost certainly boo him if he makes his way onto the field. That could be awkward.
And then there is the
anti-Trent Baalke banner that was scheduled to fly over Levi's Stadium prior to the 49ers-Saints game on Sunday
but was grounded. Baalke is the general manager that fans are blaming for the team's deminished roster and demanding that York fire. York has been very hesitant to do so and has fired two head coaches instead. It probably would have been better for ownership had that banner flown on Sunday because those responsible for the fan supported initiative have rescheduled the flyover. That new date has been announced as...wait for it...November 20. That could be awkward.
The 49ers' game against the Patriots is shaping up to be an interesting one, but for all of the wrong reasons.
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, ESPN contributors have highlighted some prospects who have seen their draft stock rise throughout the evaluation process. Jordan Reid and Matt Miller pinpointed players who could hear their names called at the end of the first round.
Interestingly, both of the prospects identified by Reid and Miller play in the trenches but on different sides of the ball. The San Francisco 49ers are widely expected to draft an offensive lineman with their first selection—No. 31 overall. The team mostly ignored the group in free agency. However, it wouldn't surprise many people if the
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
