49ers’ spirits are high despite 2-9 record, says Michael Wilhoite

Michael Wilhoite was among several players to work out for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. The linebacker wasn't signed by the team but enjoyed the experience of being around the 49ers facility again and the environment that head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have built.

That's tough to imagine given the team is 2-9 after so much offseason hype but goes along with everything that has come out of the building this season.

Wilhoite spent nearly six seasons with San Francisco before signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. He was there through the three coaching regimes of Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula, and Chip Kelly.

Shanahan and Lynch opted not to retain Wilhoite when they took over.

Wilhoite joined the Taylor Price Talk podcast this week and discussed what it was like working out for his former team. He had an opportunity to speak with the coaches, meet Lynch, and reunite with former teammates from his time in San Francisco and Seattle.

"I thought the atmosphere was good," Wilhoite said. "The players seem very positive. They all came right over to me and said, 'What's going on?' Richard Sherman from Seattle, Cassius Marsh [from] Seattle. Then all my boys on the 49ers. [DeForest Buckner], Arik (Armstead), Jaquiski Tartt, all these guys I played with, so it was just cool.

"It seemed like everybody was in high spirits, and I said that. I remember when I was there my last season (in 2016) with Chip, and we were 2-14, it was miserable. Every day, guys hated to come in. I remember waiting until the last minute to go into work, something I've never done before.

"It was just the atmosphere where people didn't want to be there. It was negative. It was toxic. It was tough on us mentally and spiritually, and it didn't feel like that yesterday.

"I felt like the guys still believe in the coaches. They still believe in the program. It just hasn't shook right for them, and I think they're just patiently waiting, and working hard and diligently, hoping that will change."

Through five seasons with the 49ers, Wilhoite accumulated 268 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, and three interceptions. He played in 65 regular season games for San Francisco and started 36.

You can listen to the entire discussion with Wilhoite below.