San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers

There was more rejoicing over the departure of place kicker Jake Moody than there was despair over the loss of tight end George Kittle for the next four games. Which makes no sense at all. Locally, it was all Moody, all the time. He was drawing mock cheers at Levi's Stadium in the preseason for merely converting a kick and had become a lightning rod for criticism that extended beyond rationality.

We're just days away from the start of the NFL season, and the spirit of rivalry is in the air. With new rivalry uniforms in tow and just days from the first game and first NFC West matchup of the season, it had me thinking: How do the 49ers stack up with their division rivals? This might be the best division in football this season in 2025 you can easily convince me of any order, one through four, at the end of the season.

In the days after kicker Jake Moody made five of his six field goal attempts including a game-winning 59-yarder in the San Francisco 49ers' second preseason game, optimism abounded at team headquarters. "It could change his career," special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. "I think he showed the moxie he has and the confidence he's starting to gain. I think it was critical for him."

Football training practices without pads are viewed as unengaging and less authentic experiences by both players like tight end George Kittle and coach Kyle Shanahan. Coach Shanahan specifically expressed his discomfort with non-padded practices, emphasizing the importance of pads for safety and preparation for actual gameplay. He mentioned the need for patience during this phase, hoping to ease into a productive practice session by the time pads are introduced after four designated days without them, in adherence to the NFLPA collective bargaining agreement.

Joe Thornton has officially returned to the San Jose Sharks as their new player development coach and hockey operations advisor, marking an emotional homecoming for the franchise's all-time leader in assists.

Looking for answers on the offensive line, Zion Johnson and returning starting center Bradley Bozeman alternated days at center and left guard during offseason sessions.