The 49ers are seeing another familiar face come back through the door, and DeForest Buckner’s return only adds to a pattern that keeps showing up in Santa Clara. San Francisco now has four players who left, whether by free agency or trade, and later found their way back to the organization.
“You might see one or two players return to their original team, but not at the rate the 49ers have.”
That’s part of the backdrop around a franchise that has shown a knack for keeping old ties alive. And while Buckner’s homecoming stands out, the conversation around the 49ers has also turned toward the quarterback who runs the whole operation.
John Lynch laid out what makes Brock Purdy stand out, and he didn’t stop at the obvious stuff. The 49ers executive pointed first to the mental load Purdy handles and the way he manages everything Kyle Shanahan throws at him.
“You have to be able to retain and take in a ton of information,” Lynch explained. “You watch us do all those motions-Brock’s handling that.
He’s the orchestrator, and I don’t think people understand how much information [that involves]. He’s got an ability to do that.
”Kyle is demanding, and Brock can take that without taking it personally, and I think that’s really important. That may be one of his greatest qualities as to why he thrives with Kyle.
“And then, he’s extremely talented. You see him, the way he goes and extends plays. He’s done it in each and every game, aside from being able to stay in the pocket and progress.”
Lynch also pointed to Purdy’s mindset and the way he has responded this season.
“He’s competitive. He always finds a way to get better,” Lynch continued.
“I think, this year, he kind of took it personally that people are saying he’s a layer thrower. I’m seeing him come out with shoulder turn and driving the ball this year.
“I think that’s what the great ones do. They identify things they want to work on, and they get it done. I could talk about Brock all day long, and I’m probably going too long, but he’s easy to do that with.”
Elsewhere, there’s at least one trade rumor that appears to be cooling off. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, one source told ESPN there is “no way” the Jets will trade Wilson before the NFL’s November 10 trade deadline, despite interest from multiple teams.
And if you’re looking for a little scoreboard-watching on the side, there’s also the odd reality of having to pull for the Cowboys too.
“I guess we technically have to root for the cowboys too, but whatever.”
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49ers Keep Seeing Former Players Come Back For One Telling Reason
The 49ers have developed a familiar pattern over the years: a player leaves in free agency or via trade, spends time elsewhere, then eventually finds his way back to San Francisco. Dre Greenlaw, Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne and DeForest Buckner are among the notable names in that group, a list that says as much about the organizations appeal as it does about the realities of roster building in the NFL.
Some of those exits were driven by contract questions or role concerns, and the return trips have only reinforced how strong the pull can be once a player has experienced life outside the building. For the 49ers, it is a reminder that relationships matter, that not every departure is permanent, and that the franchise still carries enough weight for former players to circle back when the opportunity comes. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Decision On De'Zhaun Stribling Could Reveal A Lot
The 49ers are weighing whether to add another wide receiver before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and the answer could say plenty about how they view De'Zhaun Striblings place in the offense. The rookie has been working his way back from a Week 1 injury, leaving San Francisco with a decision point as it tries to sort out its depth and plan for the stretch run.
Stribling is expected to return in December, but he has yet to appear in a regular-season game, so the team still has limited evidence on how quickly he can handle a meaningful workload. If the 49ers make a move for a receiver, it would be a strong hint they are not counting on him to step into a major role immediately, which would make his eventual return even more interesting to watch. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Trade Deadline Focus May Be Changing In A Big Way
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the 49ers appear to be shifting their attention away from the receiver market and toward the trenches. San Francisco has already stretched its mid-round draft inventory thin, which makes another swing for a pass-catcher a tougher sell, especially with help at wideout expected to be on the way as injuries heal.
The more realistic path now looks like adding support on defense off the edge or shoring up the offensive line if the right deal surfaces. For a team trying to balance immediate needs with draft-pick preservation, that kind of pivot makes sense, even if it means the loudest deadline buzz around another receiver may never get much traction. [Read more 🡒]