This year has been hard on everyone, including the San Francisco 49ers. The team has endured a challenging season, one it had hoped would turn out much differently. San Francisco has dealt with injuries, strict COVID-19 protocols, and now a move to Glendale, Arizona.

The 49ers have uprooted their entire operations — perhaps for the remainder of the season — and now live out of a hotel. This is no normal road trip, though. The team is in a soft bubble because where it is now, Maricopa County, is faring worse than its home, Santa Clara County, when it comes to COVID-19. The only difference is that professional contact sports haven't been banned in its new home away from home.


Now, 49ers coaches, players, and staff find themselves living out of the Renaissance Hotel, a large complex that neighbors State Farm Stadium, where they will host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said a few players have opted to find housing outside of the hotel, but most of the team is there.

"Not everyone is here," Shanahan said on Saturday. "I don't think many guys have gotten out of here yet. I know a couple of guys wanted to get an Airbnb and stuff like that. I'm not sure the count, but I know a few guys did."

Those at the hotel are avoiding interacting with their environment and, other than practices and workouts, are spending most of their time in their hotel rooms. There are no in-person socializing, meals together, or anything else that might have been normal during any other season.

Offensive tackle Trent Williams spoke with reporters on Saturday — via Zoom, of course — and was asked what the players are allowed to do when they aren't focused on football.

"Nothing. We can't really do nothing," Williams responded. "It's just kind of like being on a bowl game (trip), honestly. It's like maybe a month-long bowl game. It's fun being able to be around your teammates a lot more than usual, but it's going to be tough sledding. It's not easy being here for that long a period of time, but I think we all understand the goal at hand and how important this time of the year is for us."


The strangeness of 2020 has better prepared the 49ers for this extended trip. No one complains about the situation because the team is used to the unexpected being thrown at it.

"Fortunately, it's 2020," Williams continued, "and we're so used to getting pulled each which way and told what you can and what you can't do. I think that ultimately helped us just adapt to the situation we're in right now."

The new COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County are expected to be lifted on December 21. That could always change, though. For now, the 49ers will host their next two home games at State Farm Stadium. They will play there again against the home-team Arizona Cardinals on December 26.

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