It's hard to find much to complain about from the 49ers' 32-19 win over the New York Jets, especially considering the road they traveled over the past several weeks to get there.
Sure, there were too many drives that ended in field goals instead of touchdowns. But given all that happened with the 49ers since the start of training camp, ranging from their first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall getting shot during a robbery to contract disputes that caused wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams to miss the preseason (not to mention their last game was a devastating loss in the Super Bowl), it was certainly satisfying to see the team play at the level they did on Monday night.
The 49ers have proven time and time again over the years to be a team that can overcome adversity, with Monday's win over the Jets being the latest example. 49ers players spoke about their knack for resilience after Monday's game, along with a number of other topics of note, which we'll dive into in this version of 49ers Notebook.
The right stuff
Any concern that existed regarding how the 49ers would perform this season given the challenges of the past few weeks evaporated quickly Monday night, as the 49ers went on eight consecutive scoring drives after a three-and-out on their opening possession while largely holding the Jets in check with their defense. Maybe there should have never been any concern to begin with considering how well the 49ers have reacted to adversity in the past.
Whether it's injuries, contract disputes, poor starts to the season, or other unforeseen issues, this core of players has proven over the years to be able to weather just about any storm. Quarterback Brock Purdy credited the team's culture on Monday night, saying the 49ers are a franchise that does things the right way.
"Crazy stuff can go on, but just our culture, our team, what we stand for and how we all come together and find ways to win and rally around each other, we do it right here," Purdy said. "That's something that I stand on and firmly believe in, and we all do. So I'm very proud of the guys to be able to fight through just all the adversity and stuff that we've been going through in the last however many months. But we're just going to keep pushing."
Williams gave credit to the team's leadership, which starts at the top with head coach Kyle Shanahan and includes players such as himself, Purdy, linebacker Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle, and defensive end Nick Bosa.
"We've got great leaders in this locker room. And we got people who follow the leaders," Williams said. "We've got leaders that echo what the coaches are preaching. And so I think that's the reason our locker room is able to stay focused."
Bosa tipped his cap to 49ers owner Jed York while also saying it helps to know that players are going to continue to do their part even when they're not with the team.
"Our ownership really takes care of us," Bosa said. "You have to when you have really good players, and we have really good players at every position. And when guys aren't there, I mean, we have their back. We know that when they get back, they're going to work their butts off. So it doesn't change when they're not here. We're working, and when they come, we're working."
If Monday night's result is an indication of what's to come, there should be a lot of wins ahead for the 49ers this season. Whether or not their road ultimately ends with an elusive Super Bowl win remains to be seen, but it already seems obvious there won't be much that stands in the way of them having another strong year.
"You always have an idea of the type of team you got heading into a year, but you never really know until you go out there week one and you see it, right?" Warner said. "And so to be able to put a performance of a true team effort offensively, defensively, kicking game, you know, it obviously builds confidence going into week two."
Welcome back, Trent
This was already suspected coming into Monday night's game, but Trent Williams proved to be on the list of NFL players who don't really need training camp or the preseason to be elite.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Williams did not allow a single quarterback pressure Monday night for the first time since Week 3 of the 2022 season. Williams did leave the field to get an IV late in the game, but other than that, he played at the All-Pro level the 49ers have grown accustomed to.
Williams didn't know how he'd wind up feeling coming into Monday night's game, but obviously everything turned out well in the end.
"I've never been in a situation where I didn't have the luxury of being able to knock the rust off in camp," Williams said. "I've never came off a six month layoff, seven month layoff, and right into game week, you know what I'm saying? So that was new for me. I really didn't know what to expect. I mean, obviously I've played a lot of football, so I knew it would come back to me.
"I just didn't know how long it'd take. Obviously, there's rust involved, you know, gotta get in football shape. I hadn't played football. You can't really replicate the exhaustion that you kind of put yourself through during a football game, especially O-linemen. It's like pushing a truck every play. So, honestly, I didn't know what to expect tonight. I have a lot of confidence in myself to go and play at a high level, but like I said, it's uncharted waters, so I didn't know how much that would affect me."
Rookie of the game
Williams ended his holdout last week after securing a three-year deal from the 49ers worth $82.66 million. Much to his surprise, he came back to the 49ers to find the team was better than he was when he left it.
"I'm like, damn, everybody is, like, laser focused, everybody flying around," Williams said. "It's like, not a lot of joking going on. We've got a lot of new players in a locker room that's already playing at San Francisco (level), you know, what we expect around here.
"I looked at all the young guys and the draft, and I'm just like, damn. Obviously, we had a good roster last year. I didn't know that they could improve it, but in my opinion, we improved, and those guys are playing their butts off."
One of those new players, third round pick Dominick Puni, got the start at guard Monday night and quickly showed that he is well on his way to becoming a fixture on the 49ers' offensive line. Puni drew praise for his blocking and was given an initial passing grade from Williams.
"I'm thrilled to go back and watch the game, just kind of see how he did," Williams said. "Obviously, he played well... I'm sure his head was spinning, you know, going out there, getting his first start, but obviously, I think he played well. I haven't seen it yet, but just going off the results, I think he played well."
Puni was all smiles after the game due to the fact his NFL debut came in prime time while surrounded by star players.
"It was awesome," Puni said. "For a rookie, Monday Night Football against a hell of a team is a pretty big stage. I was just soaking it all in during the game."
Positive early returns for the defensive line
The 49ers weren't happy with their performance on the defensive front last season, but perhaps things are well on their way to being different in 2024.
The 49ers added a number of players to boost their defensive line over the offseason, including defensive end Leonard Floyd to help the pass rush and defensive tackle Maliek Collins to help stuff the run. Both players made an impact Monday night and left an impression on Bosa.
"I think having (Floyd) on the other side is going to open up a lot of things for all the guys rushing," Bosa said. "And Maliek played an awesome game in the run. He's a great vet to have, and me and him are going to work really well together on the left there."
Floyd was credited with the lone sack in the game for the 49ers, while Collins helped the 49ers hold the Jets to 68 rushing yards on 19 carries. The run defense in particular was a sight for sore eyes after some of the difficulties the 49ers had against the run in 2023.
"Floyd is just a ball of energy and he can run," Bosa said. "People think he's a smaller, skinnier guy that can't play the run, but he could. He's explosive as heck, so he can really play the run like we need him to. And obviously he could rush his speed rush. He's proved it throughout his career.
"And then Maliek, just a beast in the run game. Big, big guy. And if he could do that all year, then we're going to be in good shape."
Will we meet again?
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is hoping Monday night's game against the 49ers was a Super Bowl preview, even though his team looked far from being a Super Bowl-level team on Monday night.
Jets head coach and former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh called the 49ers a "championship level" team after Monday night's game, which Rodgers agreed with. Rodgers then said he hopes to get a chance to play the 49ers when it matters most.
"They are a championship-level group — and I hope we see them then," Rodgers said, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.
Rodgers played in his first full game with the Jets after falling victim to a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 1 of the 2023 season. He finished with 167 yards on 13-of-21 passing with one touchdown and one interception.
"I can play better," Rodgers said. "I missed a couple throws... I felt overall I was getting the ball out pretty good but we had some opportunities I'd like back."
