Last week, I met a guy in the Chicago area who is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers. I wasn't anywhere that I'd expect to meet a fan of the team, and I wasn't wearing any team colors or logos, so I was surprised when he began talking to me about the team. Just about the time I started feeling good about myself, thinking he must have recognized me from my coverage of the team, I discovered that my wife had told him I'm a 49ers fan. That was an abrupt kick back to reality.
As we talked, he had a lot of questions about what I thought would happen with this player or that player. He asked how I thought the team would do in 2025. He also provided some good insights himself about the upcoming season. Now that I think about it, I should have written down some of his ideas and passed them along as my own. Nah, I doubt anyone does that.
I asked him who he followed on social media, and he mentioned only a couple of people. I resisted the urge to tell him to stop what he was doing (he was watching after his baby) and go follow me, but instead, told him about some great 49ers beat writers and content creators he should consider following.
And now I'm going to pass along those names to you. But before I do, there are a couple of things to address:
First, these are my go-to people when it comes to 49ers news and content. It's ok if you don't care for someone on my list or if I leave someone out that you like. There are many people in the 49ers world to follow, read, listen to, etc.
Second, if you're reading this and cursing the day I was born because I didn't list you, it's not because I'm not a fan—I likely am. It's because I'm keeping this to a handful of my favorites. So, put down your pitchforks and torches.
Now that my disclaimer is out of the way, let's take a look at my list of who to follow for 49ers news and content.
For news and notes:
49ers Webzone: If I don't mention 49ers Webzone first, my editor, David Bonilla, may trade me to some place that covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. And that won't be good for anyone. But in all seriousness, I've been following and reading 49ers Webzone since 1999, back when Steve Young was the 49ers QB and the internet was just a baby. Back then, they provided content that few did at the time. One of the things I enjoyed about it was not only that they had good writers covering the team, but that the website pulled in articles from other sources, as well, including some on my list here. So it really was a one-stop shop, so to speak, for 49ers fans.
And it still is in 2025.
Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area: 49ers Webzone may have been my first follow, but Maiocco was quickly my second. He's been covering the 49ers since 1995 and is one of the team's top beat writers. Maiocco can be counted on to give reliable insight on the 49ers and was a great help to me when I was writing and preparing "The Hall of Fame Case for Roger Craig." If there's a Hall of Fame for 49ers beat writers, Maiocco is guaranteed a spot. And I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the team hasn't won a Super Bowl since he joined the beat. (Sorry, Matt. That was rude of me.)
If reading Maiocco's work isn't enough for you, he also has a podcast with Jennifer Lee-Chan called "49ers Talk."
Matt Barrows, The Athletic: Barrows is one of my favorite 49ers writers. He's creative and uses a lot of humor in his work. You can tell he puts a lot of work into what he writes. And he knows his stuff. When I grow up, I hope to write like Matt Barrows.
You can also listen to Barrows each week on the "49ers +/- Podcast" with Tim Kawakami.
Nick Wagoner, ESPN: I haven't followed Wagoner as long as I have some others, but I appreciate his work. He gives a lot of thought into what he writes and is a great follow on social media. When it comes to providing highlights of what happened at practice, Wagoner is one of the best. You can tell he puts a lot into it.
For film breakdown:
Anthony Robertson, 49ers Cutback: Film breakdown for me starts with my co-host of "The Red and Bold Show." Robertson is a former coach who not only knows football, but he also communicates it very well. And he's a heck of a nice guy.
John Chapman, 49ers Rush: Chapman was the second film junkie I followed, after the OG of 49ers content creators, Better Rivals. Chapman is also a former coach who knows what he's talking about. And he's always willing to help out new content creators, which says a lot about him as a person. When John Chapman talks 49ers, Marc Adams listens.
Brad Graham, TheSFNiners: A former offensive lineman, Graham does an excellent job breaking down the 49ers, especially the offensive line. And he does a great job on social media, explaining the game to the fanbase.
For content:
Locked On 49ers: Brian Peacock and Eric Crocker are a daily listen for me. And as a bonus, once a week, Nick Winkler joins the show. I like Locked On 49ers because it's a daily podcast, but also because you have three guys who know the game and the team very well. And one of them is a former NFL player. It's always interesting to hear Crocker's perspective.
Larry Krueger, KNBR & The Krueg Show: One of my favorite listens as a 49ers fan, Krueger has been at it for a long time. He's a former scout with a show that produces as much content as any out there. And you can hear him on KNBR each night for "Niners Nightly," which means more of Larry Krueger. And that's a good thing, especially since he was the first one to say that Brock Purdy was the real deal.
Krueger also played a huge part in our Roger Craig projects. He was the one who sparked the idea. But that's not why he's on this list.
Gold Standard 49ers Podcast Network: The Gold Standard 49ers Podcast Network, started by Rob "Stats" Guerrera, puts out a lot of content. They produce multiple shows hosted by several talented 49ers content creators like Guerrera, Steph Sanchez, Jason Aponte, JonnyDel, Levin Black, and Michelle Magdziuk.
One of the things I like the most about the Gold Standard Network is the daily "49ers in Five" that Guerrera releases. It's a daily summary of what's going on with the 49ers in five minutes or less, and I often start my day with it.
Social media news, statistics, analytics:
Akash Anavarathan: Anavarathan is an excellent follow on X. I always stop and read his posts because he's very well-versed on the 49ers and does an amazing job finding little nuggets of information, be it statistics or analytics.
Jeff Deeney, PFF 49ers: I follow Deeney for the same reason I follow Anavarathan. He consistently posts great information about the 49ers. And because he's an analyst for PFF (Pro Football Focus), Deeney has a lot of good stuff to pass along.
Al Sacco, 49ers Webzone: Sacco is a legend among 49ers contributors, especially at 49ers Webzone. For years, he's been a writer, along with being a co-host of the "No-Huddle Podcast" with Brian Renick and Zain Naqvi. Sacco is an insightful follow on X. He isn't currently doing a show, but we hope he'll return sometime soon.
There are so many other talented and committed writers, content creators, and reporters who cover the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, in some ways, I feel guilty writing this because I know I'm leaving out a lot of great people. The 49ers fanbase is blessed to have so much content to read, watch, and listen.
Now go follow those you aren't already following. You'll be glad you did.
Comments