Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert's comments have generated some chatter as his current team prepares to travel to the Bay Area for Sunday's clash with his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. Mostert, speaking with Tyler Dunne of
Go Long, was critical of how the Niners reacted to his decision to undergo season-ending knee surgery last season. Dunne wrote that the decision "
absolutely pissed the 49ers off," and Mostert said, "It isn't right."
That wasn't the comment that generated the most discussion, though.
"
We have a quarterback who can actually sling it," Mostert said after being asked about the differences between the Dolphins offense and the 49ers offense, per Dunne.
While Mostert insists the comment was only meant to praise his current quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, many saw the use of the word "actually" as a dig directed at his former quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. Later, Mostert tweeted that the comments were taken out of context and that he was actually complimentary of the 49ers quarterback but that his praises were omitted.
On Tuesday, Mostert had an opportunity to explain himself to Bay Area fans further.
"The initial report was specifically talking about Tua and his success," Mostert told KNBR's Greg Papa and John Lund. "So when I was being asked those questions, I was looking at it as a view of what Tua has done and what Tua had dealt with in the past."
Mostert clarified that saying Tagovailoa "can actually sling it" referenced the criticisms his quarterback endured before this season. When the running back arrived in Miami, he learned Tagovailoa could "actually sling it," despite what earlier criticisms indicated.
"I don't know why people are doubting [Tagovailoa] and his ability, [and I wasn't saying] that Jimmy G can't sling the rock or anything like that," Mostert said. "I would never, ever in a million years talk down on a player, specifically a guy like Jimmy, just because we've grown together all those years when I was there. My family is his family. His family is like my family."
Mostert also explained his comment that the Dolphins have more talent than his former squad.
"In regards to 'We have more talent here,' I was speaking in terms of we have more talent here, right now, at this moment, than what has been here in the past," Mostert shared. "I can see how that can be misconstrued, just because you can only take certain snippets out of what one person said and alter it in a way that it just seems like it's relevant in the fact that I'm on a different team. No, that's not what I meant.
"Come on, I was with the Niners for several years, and I know exactly what the talent is. There's unbelievable talent on both sides of the ball, and even on special teams, so I wasn't trying to take shots or digs on anyone."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Mostert below.
Related News
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
Analyst Dane Brugler recently revealed his seven-round mock draft for The Athletic, forecasting all 257 selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, set to kick off next week.
"Piecing together a mock like this is time consuming, but I enjoy the exercise, because it allows me to focus on each team's needs, organizational trends and prospect-team pairings that make sense based on '30' visits, league buzz and overall interest," Brugler wrote.
Most expect the 49ers to address the trenches early in the draft, and Brugler has the team doing that. It's just not on the offensive side of the football. In fact, Brugler doesn't have San Francisco
