Fans of the San Francisco 49ers will get to relax a little on Sunday, but only for about 24 hours. The 49ers host the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. It's a game that could have postseason implications, with the Panthers being one of the teams the 49ers are racing against for a playoff bid.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what was on your mind regarding the team. Thanks for your excellent questions. Let's jump in.
Are Jordan Watkins and Jordan James dead? Jk, but why can't they see the field? Especially Jordan James, who we haven't seen *any* action from in any capacity. It's also crazy because you have to ask why Guerendo is still on the team. Suit up James. At least some garbage time? - Chris W.
I've checked with local hospitals and mortuaries. From what I can gather, Jordan Watkins and Jordan James are both alive and well. They're just further down the depth chart than some of the veterans at their positions.
I wish the 49ers would let James play instead of Isaac Guerendo, who they are barely using. But for now, it appears that they like what Guerendo brings to special teams, though not as a return man. If Guerendo is going to be active, I'd love to see Kyle Shanahan find ways to get him the ball in space. That's where he excels. Guerendo's strength is not in finding holes through which to run. It's using his speed in the opening field.
I agree that it would be nice to see Watkins and James play more in 2025. But we will likely have to wait until 2026.
The Niners offense looks different with Purdy than with Jones. Last Sunday, the Niners scored lots, but didn't have long sustained drives like with Jones. Is the play calling different with Purdy than it is with Jones? - Scott B.
The play calling may be a little different, but probably not much. At this point, Mac Jones seems to have a good grasp of the offense. He doesn't know it as well as Brock Purdy, of course. But the main thing Purdy brings is his ability to run and escape pass rushers. Jones can't do that.
The main reason the 49ers will score more points (and have less time of possession) with Purdy is that the 49ers' top signal-caller pushes the ball downfield more than Jones. That sometimes gets Purdy in trouble because he's often holding the ball to extend plays to hit the big one, but the reward seems to outweigh the risk for Shanahan and Purdy.
Can Fred Warner come back in the playoffs? When will Brandon Aiyuk come back? - MC
I think it's unlikely Fred Warner will return this season. It doesn't seem like enough time to recover and safely return. On Thursday, Shanahan was asked the same question about Warner. He's said, "I haven't asked that, but I don't think so."
As far as Brandon Aiyuk, I'm now of the opinion that he will never play again for the 49ers. The ACL injury has kept him out this season, but now there are reports from Dianna Russini and Michael Silver, both of The Athletic, that the 49ers voided Aiyuk's future guaranteed money back in training camp for failure to live up to the terms of his contract.
Silver posted on X, "Some in the 49ers organization are holding out hope that the relationship between the team and Brandon Aiyuk can be salvaged enough for him to return this season, but all indications are that the receiver has no desire to play for San Francisco." This would explain why Aiyuk isn't fighting the voiding of his contract. He wants out of Santa Clara.
It's a surprising turn of events, but I'm not overly shocked. There have been rumors that the 49ers regretted that contract from day one. I think they're over the wide receiver drama.
On Saturday, Shanahan said he's still hoping Aiyuk returns this season. I doubt he will, which means he's likely done as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
What do you think is holding Nick Martin back from more action? Rumors that they might bring up Jalen Graham, etc., but this is getting ridiculous considering the injuries. Is the linebacker position really that distinct? - Justin
If Jalen Graham is elevated, it will be because the 49ers are short on linebackers. Perhaps he'll be elevated this week. Matt Gay will get one of those spots. But Graham could get the other one.
As far as Nick Martin, what's held him back is that he's been behind some veteran players who are playing well, namely Dee Winters and Curtis Robinson. But Martin finally saw some snaps on defense last Sunday. Shanahan liked what he saw, saying the rookie, "Did a real good job, ran and tackled very well. Had just one mistake in the pass game."
The 49ers have flung several young players into the limelight this season. Which rookie would you say has progressed most through this season? - John P.
Alfred Collins is the easy answer. He keeps getting better. Upton Stout has been up and down, but nickel corner is a tough position to play, especially for a rookie. And Stout has mostly been good, even though he's been targeted and picked on some.
I hope we see more from Martin over the rest of the season. He flashes, at times. If he could become more consistent, he has the tools to be a very good player.
If Mac Jones gets dealt, what team, and what's the compensation? - Casey L.
I hope Jones isn't traded this offseason. And that's mainly because Purdy has missed some time in his career. If the 49ers had one of the backup QBs from last season instead of Jones this year, they may not have won any of those games that Jones helped pull out.
If 2026 is the season the 49ers hope to be contenders, they need to be sure their backup QB can win games.
I know there are some national media members saying the 49ers could get a day-two pick for Jones, but I have a hard time believing that. Any team could have tried to sign him back in March, but the 49ers landed him. So I'm not sure teams around the league will be ready to hand over high draft picks for Jones.
That's one reason I believe he's more valuable to San Francisco.
What has happened to Kendrick Bourne since the Rams game in LA? Went from about 300 catches to invisible. - The Greavance
Jauan Jennings and George Kittle both became healthier. As a result, Bourne hasn't had as many targets. And I don't think he's playing as much as Demarcus Robinson either.
Some felt the 49ers were forcing the ball to Jennings, but I doubt that was the case. You force the ball to guys like Kittle. But not Jennings. Regardless, now that Purdy is back, Bourne may have a harder time receiving targets. Purdy hasn't worked with him as much and has a better connection with Kittle, Jenings, Robinson, and Ricky Pearsall than he currently has with Bourne.
Being realistic, this team cannot win big games against strong opponents with the state of the defense. The question relates to the offense: Will Kyle Shanahan start being less conservative, knowing he has to put up points to keep up with the opponent? - KCarps
It will likely be a game-by-game decision. I agree that the defense, as it's currently structured, is bad. The offense will need to score in the 30s to win these games.
Shanahan will adjust his approach based on how the game is going. Some games, they will need to run the ball a lot. In other games, they will need to throw it a lot. I trust that Shanahan will adjust and make the necessary calls.
In your opinion, which Thanksgiving food is super overrated? Yams? Cranberries? - Ed H.
Yams and cranberries are both overrated. I'm about the turkey, dressing (see note below), and pies. My wife also makes a side called "Red Hot Applesauce." Look it up. It'll change your life.
Dressing note: My Thanksgiving pet peeve is when people call dressing "stuffing." It's only stuffing if it's inside the turkey. That's why it's called that—it's stuffed inside the bird. When it's a side, it's called dressing. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll have a new one soon. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Avoid the yams and cranberries.