Video: New 49ers head coach Chip Kelly describes himself as ‘a football guy’

The San Francisco 49ers' selection of University of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft certainly drew its share of reactions, both positive and negative. Some pundits scratched their heads at the selection, but the viewpoint from NFL players seems quite different. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk sent his approval of the pick to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, calling it a "fire pick," while another player, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, raved about the pick

New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a teammate of Brandon Aiyuk for one season (2019) at Arizona State. It was Aiyuk's final season with the Sun Devils and Pearsall's first, before transferring to Florida after the 2021 season. Now, the two are teammates again after the 49ers selected Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick. Speaking to reporters after the first round, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that they received a text from Aiyuk after the pick was made. "Fire pick. Can't lie," Aiyuk said in the text, much to Lynch and Shanahan's delight. Shortly after hearing his name called, Pearsall spoke to reporters via Zoom and was asked about his relationship with Aiyuk. "We

New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall arrived in Santa Clara this morning, ready to tour his new NFL home before speaking with the media. Pearsall briefly spoke to reporters via Zoom on Thursday night after learning that the 49ers had selected him as the No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. During that conversation, he revealed that he had once played against Brock Purdy in high school, acknowledging that the now-49ers quarterback had put up about 70 points against his team. Pearsall had an opportunity to speak to Purdy after learning they had become teammates. "He just reached out to me this morning, just congratulating me, saying, 'We're going to get to work,'" Pearsall shared. "... We're gonna get to work, for sure. And he's from Arizona,

As customary, NFL teams engage in preliminary discussions about potential draft trades during owner meetings. The San Francisco 49ers currently hold the No. 31 spot in the first round but appear receptive to moving either up or down. The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night. General manager John Lynch addressed reporters on Monday and acknowledged the wide range of possibilities. However, he noted that any potential discussions about trading spots with other teams will likely intensify later in the week. "It's going to be an interesting year," Lynch stated. "I think it's an interesting draft class. I was just looking at my notes and one interesting thing to me, dynamic, and the way of the world right now, we put a grade on players in the fall if we think