The San Francisco 49ers held their 2018 State of the Franchise on Wednesday night. The event gave approximately 1,100 season ticket holders the opportunity to listen to several team representatives as they answered questions from moderators Peter Schrager of NFL Network and Ted Robinson, who is the play-by-play radio announcer for the team.
The hour-and-45-minute event took place at the California Theater in San Jose, California and was streamed live from the 49ers' official website and Facebook account.
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Guests
The following management and staff spoke during the State of the Franchise. While 49ers CEO Jed York was present for last year's event, he did not make an appearance (other than a pre-recorded intro video to kick off the event) this year because he is in Atlanta for the NFL's spring owners meetings.
- General manager John Lynch
- Head coach Kyle Shanahan
- Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh
- Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower
- President Al Guido
- Senior personnel executive Martin Mayhew
- VP of player personnel Adam Peters
- EVP of football operations Paraag Marathe
The following players also represented the team on stage during the event. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was initially reported as a guest but did not appear.
- DL DeForest Buckner
- K Robbie Gould
- FB Kyle Juszczyk
- T Mike McGlinchey
- DB Tarvarius Moore
- WR Dante Pettis
- CB Richard Sherman
- T Joe Staley
- LB Fred Warner
New Alternate/Throwback Uniforms
After much speculation from fans, the 49ers finally officially introduced the team's new alternate/throwback uniforms, which resemble the away versions worn during most of the 1994 season. Even legendary 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice was suited up for the unveiling.
The #49ers introduced their new alternate throwback uniforms! @JerryRice on hand (in uniform) to unveil them as well! pic.twitter.com/Zw4aTZM5zd
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) May 24, 2018
Here is another pic of @JerryRice in the #49ers' new duds. pic.twitter.com/CrBqk9ZAVs
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) May 24, 2018
This is the armor of legends. #94Niners pic.twitter.com/zcPYxCfge4
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 24, 2018
Levi's Stadium Updates
The stadium has sold out for the fifth-straight year.
The 49ers spent over $10 million to update the stadium with banners that honor the team's rich history.
Levi's Stadium was ranked in the top 5 among NFL teams when it comes to fan experience. Levy president Andy Lansing discussed the team's dedication to improving the food and beverage options at the stadium.
Guido discussed the team's initiative to move from paper tickets to mobile tickets. The 49ers will issue season ticket holders a credential that can be worn during the season to allow entry -- including the postseason.
The 49ers are bringing back giveaways to hand out to fans, including a bobblehead. Guido would not identify who would be represented with that giveaway.
The 49ers are working on having a future Super Bowl return to Levi's Stadium.
Other Highlights
The announcement to those in attendance that linebacker Reuben Foster would rejoin the team on Thursday was met with applause. The domestic violence charges against Foster were dropped just hours before the event.
The 49ers will open almost all training camp practices to season ticket holders and fans.
The team-produced documentary, Brick by Brick, will return in 2018 and include more episodes.
Kyle Shanahan has been pleased with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's progress since joining the team, including the strides he has made this offseason. "Jimmy's really worked this offseason, and it's been great," Shanahan said. "He's done everything possible, and it's impressive how far he's come. He really knows it, and it helps him take more ownership and communicate with players."
"To have him here is a gift to everybody, coaches, and players alike," Robert Saleh said of cornerback Richard Sherman, who has been working with the younger defensive backs and acting as an extra coach while he recovers from a ruptured Achilles suffered in November of 2017.
Saleh says defensive lineman Solomon Thomas is much more comfortable this offseason as he enters Year 2.
Saleh says linebacker Malcolm Smith has picked up right where he left off before his injury last year and the team is excited to have him back.
"What you should see is a much faster and more violent product," Saleh said of the 49ers defense.
Sherman was asked where he has been since his time at Stanford. "Here and there," he responded.
Joe Staley announced that The Joe Show will return in 2018. He and Sherman recorded the return episode on Tuesday.
Robbie Gould said this is the best locker room he's been a part of in his career.
How many catches would Kyle Juszczyk like in 2018? "100 would be cool," he responded. Juszczyk better discuss that with Garoppolo.