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The new ramp-up schedule for training camp didn't leave room for preseason games. Players won't even put on pads until the 20th day of camp. It was hard to imagine finding the time to play one or two games, especially when those exhibition matchups don't count for anything other than player evaluation.
That, however, can be done in training camp.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has been a long-time proponent for reducing the number of preseason games. While he feels two would be the sweet spot, he would prefer zero as opposed to four.
"This is the first time we've gone without preseason," Shanahan said on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast. "And that does help a lot because, usually, you've got to put in those travel days for that. I don't care as much about the game, but you miss practice the day before, practice the day of, and practice the day after.
"So knowing we don't have those, even if we have less days, I think we might be able to make it up because we don't have to travel for games. So we might be able to get the same amount of work in."
As stated before, Shanahan adds that he isn't necessarily against the preseason entirely.
"It's different this year," Shanahan said. "I mean, I'm all for the preseason because there's a couple of guys we've never seen in a game, who are pretty good in practice. And then you throw them out there in a preseason game, and they freak out. And you're like, 'Alright, they're not ready. We've got to put them on the practice squad.'"
The coach also noted that preseason is helpful when two or more players are neck and neck in a training-camp competition.
Shanahan added: "And how bad does it suck for guys not to get film who won't make the team? ... But this year, our goal is to get to the season and have a year."
Not only does Shanahan feel good about training camp, even under some difficult circumstances, the coach feels good—maybe better than most—about the chances of the season taking place amidst a pandemic.
"Where I feel compared to a few months ago, I feel good now," Shanahan shared. "I think we'll get through this. I'm watching the European leagues, and their soccer teams and stuff, and they're not in a bubble.
"I think there's a chance, when we bring everyone in, the testing could not be great right away, like it looks like with all these college teams when they come back. But I do feel like, the way we run stuff, and the way these buildings are, that we can get it under control over a few-week period, a month period, and have a chance to do this.
"I didn't always feel that way, but from what I've seen and what I've heard, being in this building, I feel a lot more optimistic than I used to."
Breaking down the 49ers drafts under John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan
By Marc Adams
Apr 20
We are less than one week away from the NFL Draft, and the San Francisco 49ers have their first day-one draft pick since 2021. That was the year they selected QB Trey Lance number three overall. The trade-up to get Lance cost the 49ers their first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. And now that they are back in the first round, at pick 31, fans are anxious to see what the team does with the pick. And with former assistant GM, Adam Peters, now in Washington, it will be interesting to see how well the 49ers draft without Peters in the room.
We looked back at the seven drafts GM John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan have led to see what information we could pull from those drafts. There were plenty of hits, plenty of misses, and a few surprises along the way. The draft picks are
Brock Purdy hopes Kyle Shanahan makes addition to 49ers playbook
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for a franchise-record 4,280 yards last season, leading the team to the Super Bowl and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He held onto the football 39 times on the ground, rushing for 144 yards and scoring twice. This marked a significant improvement over his rookie 2022 campaign when he had 22 carries for 13 yards and a score.
Purdy further displayed his athleticism during the 49ers' playoff game against the Detroit Lions last season, helping engineer a comeback victory while rushing for 48 yards on five carries.
On Tuesday morning, Purdy joined the "Pat McAfee Show," acknowledging that he believes he can contribute more rushing yards if called upon. However, that decision rests with head coach Kyle Shanahan,
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When questioned about Aiyuk's desire to stay with the team that selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Schefter responded, "Well, I think his desire to get paid is greater than his desire to stay in San Francisco, wherever that is. If the 49ers want to pay him, I'm sure he'd love to stay in San Francisco. If another team would like to pay him, I'm sure he'd like to go
49ers' Brock Purdy addresses young fan's question about scripted NFL
By David Bonilla
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Taylor Swift, the Kansas City Chiefs, and a Super Bowl overtime matchup. If the NFL is scripted, the league came up with a good one this past season—unless you're a San Francisco 49ers fan.
During his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium this past weekend, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy faced a candid inquiry from one young participant: Is the NFL scripted?
"No, the NFL is not scripted," a smiling Purdy responded. However, the quarterback added, "Good
