Training camp is finally here, and there are plenty of questions surrounding the San Francisco 49ers. With a new-look defense under Raheem Morris, several intriguing off-season additions on both sides of the ball, and competition at multiple positions, there is no shortage of storylines to watch as the team prepares for the 2026 season.
We opened our first 49ers Webzone Mailbag of the season to see what was on your mind. Thank you to all who submitted questions. Let's take a look.
For whatever reason, which players are you focusing on during Niners training camp? Ed H.
There are several players I'm particularly interested in watching (actually, hearing and reading about since I won't be at training camp). But the biggest storyline for me is what the defense looks like under Morris. The 49ers have made some changes there, so I'm watching to see how quickly the players adapt to Morris' scheme and how he deploys them.
As far as players I'm more focused on, here are a few:
- Osa Odighizuwa — He's an important addition to the interior defensive line. If he can consistently generate interior pressure, it could change the way offenses have to block the 49ers.
- Mike Evans — This is an obvious one. Watching him develop chemistry with Brock Purdy and seeing how Kyle Shanahan uses him alongside the other weapons will be interesting.
- De'Zhaun Stribling — He's a player I'm especially curious about because he represents an opportunity to develop some young talent behind the established veterans. The 49ers need to figure out who can emerge as reliable depth at receiver.
It will be interesting to watch other rookies like Romello Height and Gracen Halton, as well as some of the undrafted rookies.
Let's pretend for a moment that we don't have safety problems. Ok, that was fun. So, how is this going to pan out? We currently only have 3 safeties on the roster who have jersey numbers assigned to them. - Chris W.
I think the 49ers are going to have to add another safety before the season. You can't head into a season with only three main safeties and expect to stay healthy. Bringing in Ashtyn Davis will help, though. The team may add another veteran free agent who can compete for a starting job, but they're more likely going to lean toward depth. Or they may decide that adding Davis was enough. They also have some young safeties they will take a look at.
The bigger questions are whether the 49ers see Ji'Ayir Brown as part of the long-term solution and what Malik Mustapha looks like more than a year removed from his knee injury. Also, I wouldn't count out Marques Sigle taking a big enough step to unseat Brown.
If I had to guess today, I'd say they bring in at least one veteran safety and let the competition determine the rest. With Morris taking over, I wouldn't be surprised if the team prioritizes safeties who can play multiple roles and give him more flexibility in coverage.
In reading stories about Raheem Morris' hire, it doesn't sound like he will be continuing the use of the wide nine, but rather bringing his own defensive scheme to the team. Is this correct? Has the wide nine been abandoned, and Morris has more latitude, or am I mistaken and Morris will simply tweak the wide nine for his own uses? - Tony M.
You're right that Morris isn't simply copying what the 49ers have done defensively over the past several years. He may still employ some wide 9 looks, but he will be doing his own thing. And he'll likely have more latitude to do so than the previous defensive coordinators in San Francisco.
One of the criticisms of previous defensive coordinators was that opponents often knew where the pressure was coming from. Morris has built a reputation for being more multiple and adaptable. He'll likely keep concepts that fit the personnel.
So, I wouldn't say the Wide 9 will be abandoned. It's just no longer the defining feature of the defense.
Who wins the strong side linebacker spot? A lot of folks say Martin, but I don't think he has the build for that position. Duggard? - Lowbridge
Nick Martin is a really interesting player, but I agree with your concern about his build. At roughly 5'11 and 221 lbs., he's undersized for what you typically think of as a SAM linebacker, particularly if the 49ers want that player taking on tight ends, setting the edge, and playing in the box. Jayden Dugger, on the other hand, gives you a much more natural physical profile for that job, since he's 6'4, 240 lbs. And the fact that linebackers coach K.J. Wright reportedly had a strong voice in the decision to draft him is another reason I wouldn't overlook him.
That being said, I'd still give Martin the inside track. He's been with the team and played against better competition in college. Also, some are high on Dugger. But others question if he'll even make the team.
This will be one of the more interesting camp battles. Even though I give Martin the upper hand, Dugger has the size advantage and the "being hand-picked by the coach" advantage.
Which veteran free agent pass rusher do you think the 49ers should bring in? - Sasha R.
I'd bring in Jadeveon Clowney. The 49ers don't necessarily need another star. They need someone who can give them quality snaps and take some pressure off Nick Bosa. Clowney's experience and ability to still provide situational pass-rush value could make him a worthwhile addition.
Last season, Clowney had 8.5 sacks. Two seasons before that, he had 9.5. So he can still produce.
Excluding Evans: best FA signing and why? - Casey L.
Since Odighizuwa wasn't a free agent, I guess I can't include him. But in my opinion, he's the best of the 49ers' 2026 additions. He instantly makes the defense better.
As far as the best free agent San Francisco signed this year, other than Evans, my pick would be Dre Greenlaw. We all know what he brings to the 49ers' defense. Bringing him back restores one of the league's best linebacker duos.
Greenlaw's speed, physicality, and ability to cover tight ends and running backs allow the defense to be much more aggressive. And he brings an edge. Few defenders play with Greenlaw's intensity. That attitude has been noticeably absent, at times, since he left.
Who has the better receiving season this year—Demarcus Robinson, Christian Kirk, or Brandon Aiyuk? - Chris W.
If Brandon Aiyuk was healthy, sane, and currently on a team, he would be my choice. He's the most talented of the three and has already shown he can be a true WR1. The question is whether he is healthy, still has his senility, and whether any team wants him.
But since we don't know if any of that will be the case, I'd put Christian Kirk first, followed by Demarcus Robinson. Aiyuk comes in last. Kirk should have more receptions since he'll be the slot receiver and Robinson will be behind others. But the way Robinson finished last season, particularly in that postseason game in Philadelphia, I'm not going to count him out.
That said, Kirk will likely have more opportunities than Robinson. Now, if the 49ers decide to bring back Deebo Samuel…
Can Christian McCaffrey repeat what he did last season, as far as number of touches? - Darla M.
No, I don't believe he can. And I hope that Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner will finally play the other backs more. I know it must be hard to bring McCaffrey off the field, especially in close games, but they have to do that. Kaelon Black and Jordan James deserve to get the chance to prove they can carry the load.
If you look at the history of running backs with over 400 touches in a season, some had good seasons the year after, while others did not. But the best way to consider it is to look at McCaffrey. He had 403 touches in 2019 while he was with the Carolina Panthers. The following season, he played in only three games due to injury. The season after that (2021), he played in only seven games. And he's now about six years older.
I just want to see McCaffrey get through 2026 healthy.
Not to beat a dead horse, but is there a possibility that the fans are not privy to something that was said or done to antagonize Brandon Aiyuk by management, or is this a pretty cut-and-dry case of a histrionic diva wide receiver meltdown? - Tony M.
There's almost certainly more to the story than what the public knows. Contract negotiations are rarely as simple as they appear from the outside, and conversations between players, agents, front offices, and the NFLPA happen behind closed doors.
That said, based on everything that's become public, including Aiyuk's recent comments accusing the NFLPA of threatening a "smear campaign" after he declined to appeal a grievance, it doesn't appear this is solely about the 49ers anymore. His frustration seems to have expanded well beyond the organization.
As for the 49ers, it's worth remembering they ultimately gave Aiyuk the contract he wanted after months of negotiations. They also resisted trading him despite significant interest from other teams. That doesn't necessarily mean every interaction was handled perfectly, but it does suggest the organization valued him enough to make him one of the league's highest-paid receivers.
Assuming Kittle will be "limited" in some capacity (re: the injury, unrelated to his general awesomeness), to start the season, what will the 49ers utilize as their base personnel? With so many variables in play (same questionable OL likely means the edge chip will be back in full force, getting CMC past the 4YPC mark will be a priority but our TEs aren't exactly "multidimensional", so it's tough getting our best guys for the job on the field without being overly-predictable [more Juice at TE?], question marks beyond a healthy WR 1 & 2. etc.), do we have the skill players on offense (and the speed we've lacked) to pull off an 11 personnel base in neutral game scripts, or are we going to be forced into more limiting/low-reward 12/21/(cough)13/22 personnel situations on early downs? - Chris W.
That may be the longest sentence I've ever read. Very impressive, Chris.
I think 11 personnel would be fun to see, especially if George Kittle is limited early in the season. The additions at receiver give Shanahan more reason to spread defenses out and create space for McCaffrey. The bigger question is whether the 49ers can stay in 11 personnel on early downs without becoming too predictable. If the offensive line struggles again, defenses may simply attack them with four-man fronts and dare them to run. That's where the versatility of players like McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk becomes important.
I also don't think Shanahan will abandon 12 personnel. When Kittle is healthy, that's still one of the 49ers' biggest advantages. But if he's limited, I'd expect more 11 personnel with Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and some WR3 formations, using motion and McCaffrey to create mismatches.
My guess is 11 personnel becomes a more common grouping, with 12 personnel remaining a significant part of the offense once Kittle is fully healthy. I don't see the 49ers leaning heavily on 13 or 22 personnel unless injuries force their hand. The addition of speed at receiver should give Shanahan more flexibility than he's had in recent years.
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back with a new one in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the reports from training camp, and be sure to follow us for all your 49ers news.
More info on: Kaelon Black, Nick Bosa, Ji'Ayir Brown, Ashtyn Davis, Mike Evans, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton, Romello Height, Jordan James, Kyle Juszczyk, Christian Kirk, George Kittle, Nick Martin, Christian McCaffrey, Malik Mustapha, Osa Odighizuwa, Ricky Pearsall, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, Marques Sigle, De'Zhaun Stribling
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