Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young wants to urge fans to trust what the San Francisco 49ers are doing. While they aren't always privy to the team's thinking, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have managed to transform one of the worst rosters in the league into a Super Bowl contender in a short period.

That has to be worth something.


Sometimes that trust involves acknowledging that the 49ers' brain trust is going to make decisions that you won't always immediately understand.

"As a fan, you're going to have to get used to having things that will shock you," Young said during a KNBR interview Wednesday night on the Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks show. "You're going to have to trust them, and you're going to have to trust them until they lose your trust."

Fans aren't the only ones for whom Young had words of advice.

The former quarterback turned ESPN analyst mentioned the contract dispute between Raheem Mostert and the 49ers. The running back's agent became so frustrated following months of contract talks that he requested a trade.

Young knows that sometimes you have to let some talented players go, but warns that doesn't always work out — for either side.


"One of the biggest mistakes we made was letting Ricky Watters go," Young explained. "And Ricky was glad to go. 'I'll prove you guys wrong. I'll go to Philadelphia.' And you know what? The worst thing that happened to us and Ricky was that we separated.

"There's mistakes that are made in the middle of it, too. Players that are part of these very efficient, disciplined teams, if you say, 'You know what? I'm going to hold you over a barrel. I'm going to put the screws to you,' you know what? Be careful. You'll be out on your ear, and you'll be shocked.

"... If you're not George Kittle, and you're on this team, and you think that you can pressure this team, I think the discipline will beat you back, and you're going to have to find some other job. I think I'd be very careful."

An argument can be made that Mostert thrived late last season because of head coach Kyle Shanahan's system. That's not to say that the running back can't produce in another offense. Young suggests that there should be a balance between earning what you are worth and being a part of something special, though.

"I think that 49ers players should recognize that this is one of the best places to be, in this unique space and time, right now," Young continued. "And you can take a little bit less. You need to get your worth, and you need to battle. That doesn't mean you just curl up in a fetal position, but you also recognize that there's something special about who you are.


"Raheem Mostert, do you think he'll really thrive the way he did this year at the 49ers anywhere else? That's why I wonder if he doesn't come back and say, 'Look, what will you give me?' If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. That's fine. But sometimes to go prove them wrong when you've got a unique situation and a unique kind of support system, you've got to be super careful."

You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.



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