Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
49ers will remain in Arizona through at least Christmas, per report
Get comfortable, San Francisco 49ers. You're not going anywhere anytime soon.
While it was assumed that the team would remain in Arizona through Christmas, the possibility of the team returning to the Bay Area in the days leading to the holiday remained an option. San Francisco will remain at its temporary home at least through the Week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, the venue the 49ers will play its next two home games.
"The 49ers have decided to stay because players wanted to make definitive Christmas plans with their families," reports
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "Many families will join the team in Arizona for the holiday."
While the 49ers are slated to play their next two home games, which start with tonight's matchup against the Buffalo Bills, at State Farm Stadium, the possibility of finishing out the season in Arizona remains in play. That would mean a "home" game against the Seattle Seahawks on January 3 at State Farm Stadium, in addition to the already-scheduled one against the Washington Football Team on December 13.
There is a chance that Santa Clara County's most recent restrictions and ban on collegiate and professional contact sports will extend into January.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan assured his players that the 49ers would do everything in their power to make sure Christmas was spent with family.
"I just try to tell our guys that I don't care what happens; we're not going to spend Christmas without our families,"
Shanahan said last week. "We'll figure it out. That's really what I tried to give to everyone just so they can say that to their families because I think that is the concern.
"... But I know our organization, and they'll do whatever they can to figure out whether we're here with our families for that week or whether we have to get all of them to us, and go through whatever we have to do to do that. I know that will be worth it, and I know Jed (York) will help us out with that."
LISTEN
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
What to make of Jeff Darlington's report on 49ers QB Trey Lance's first-team reps
ESPN's Jeff Darlington recently appeared on the network's NFL Live show and discussed the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback situation, highlighting Trey Lance's healthy state and current workload during organized team activities (OTAs).
"Trey Lance is the guy during OTAs who's been taking all the 1st-team reps; he's healthy at this point," Darlington said, per Dov Kleiman of BroBible. "Sam Darnold really getting backup duty as he kinda gets his playbook under his belt. But for now, Trey Lance getting his opportunity with those first-team reps."
What is the takeaway from these comments? Nothing, really. We
49ers Notebook: Javon Hargrave's first 49ers thoughts; Trent Williams' weird late-night workout schedule; Wilks on DBs; Deommodore Lenoir wants to be elite
The 49ers ended their offseason workout program on Wednesday with their final session of mandatory minicamp. But before they made their way out the door for the summer, the team gave fans and reporters one last dose of info in the form of the final media sessions of the spring.
Among those speaking to reporters on Wednesday were defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, left tackle Trent Williams and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, as well as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Each session produced some interesting tidbits, which we'll review in this version of 49ers notebook.
Hargrave speaks
Despite being the splash free agent addition of the offseason for the 49ers, Javon Hargrave had not met with the team's beat reporters in person before Wednesday.
PFF: 49ers' elite roster is reason for optimism despite "up in the air" QB situation
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus went through all 32 NFL teams and picked a reason for optimism for each heading into the 2023 season. For example, last season's five-win Denver Broncos got a new Super Bowl-winning head coach in Sean Payton. Kenny Pickett could be ready for a second-year leap with the Pittsburgh Steelers (Hopefully, not in Week 1, though).
What's the reason for optimism for the San Francisco 49ers? Sikkema admits that picking just one reason is challenging, so he went with the team's elite roster. San Francisco has stockpiled talented playmakers at almost every level.
"Yes, their quarterback situation is still up in the air," wrote Sikkema. "But
Adam Rank projects 49ers' 2023 MVP, breakout star, says it's "Super Bowl or bust for the team"
NFL Media personality Adam Rank recently published his "State of the 2023 San Francisco 49ers" feature for NFL.com, an annual look at the state of the franchise and projections for the upcoming season. Among those predictions are the team's most valuable player and breakout star.
Christian McCaffrey is the most obvious choice for MVP, and he's the guy Rank selected. The star running back was traded in late October to the 49ers and still contributed 1,210 total yards and 10 total touchdowns with his new team, totaling an impressive 1,880 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season.
Rank can't wait to see what McCaffrey does for an encore
