Why 49ers are Sporting News’ pick to win Super Bowl XLIX

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is in high spirits, and it's no wonder why. He's well aware that his bank account is about to get a significant boost, one way or another. Aiyuk posted a video to Instagram, showing himself dancing and seemingly celebrating the good fortune of one of his NFL peers. The Detroit Lions recently inked their star wideout, Amon-Ra St. Brown, to a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract extension. Aiyuk eagerly awaits his own deal from the 49ers and recognizes that the news out of Detroit will only strengthen his agent, Ryan Williams' hand at the negotiating table. Brandon

The news of Arik Armstead's departure from the San Francisco 49ers after nine seasons with the team shocked linebacker Fred Warner. Armstead, a former first-round pick, was an impactful force on the football field. However, his availability over the last two seasons forced the 49ers to reevaluate his contract, and when his salary could not be significantly reduced, the two sides parted ways. "Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through." Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several

The San Francisco 49ers had a number of intriguing options available in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night but decided to add University of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. at pick 31 overall, bypassing players such as cornerbacks Cooper DeJean of Iowa and Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama and defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton of Illinois. What should fans know about Pearsall and where he fits in with the 49ers? And does it mean anything regarding the future of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel? Let's take a look. What the 49ers like about Pearsall, and what general manager John Lynch said about the wide receiver situation The 49ers appear to be excited about the overall package that Pearsall brings to the table, particularly his

The San Francisco 49ers' selection of University of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft certainly drew its share of reactions, both positive and negative. Some pundits scratched their heads at the selection, but the viewpoint from NFL players seems quite different. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk sent his approval of the pick to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, calling it a "fire pick," while another player, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, raved about the pick