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Tag: Nick Bosa

  • 49ers Urged to Trade for All-Pro Pass-Rusher After Nick B…

    The San Francisco 49ers began the year with one of the more intimidating defensive fronts in the NFL.

    But that unit got a little less threatening after the season-ending ACL injury to former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa in Sunday’s 16-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

    It’s the second time in the last six seasons that Bosa’s year was ended before Week 4 due to an ACL injury. He missed 14 games during the 2020 season after tearing his other ACL in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.

    But the 49ers are in a precarious position.

    They’re 3-0 and sit atop the NFC West, and despite injuries to quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, they still have a good shot of making some noise in the playoffs.

    But they acquired edge-rusher Bryce Huff in the offseason to work opposite Bosa along the defensive line, not replace him.

    The 28-year-old Huff likely isn’t ready to step into Bosa’s shoes, which is why Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard believes they should turn their attention toward the trade market — more specifically the Cincinnati Bengals.

    More NFL: Andy Reid Breaks Silence on Suspended Chiefs Star Before Ravens Clash

    More NFL: Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury

    “There’s one trade scenario that stands out far above other possibilities,” Kawakami wrote. “What about checking with the Cincinnati Bengals about Trey Hendrickson?

    “… Hendrickson isn’t likely to cost the multiple first-round picks it took for the Packers to get Parsons from Dallas this month…I’ll put it this way: I don’t think that’s what it’d cost if Cincinnati is ready to trade Hendrickson.”

    Kawakami posed a trade package that could pique the Bengals interest with several tiers that only sweeten the deal for Cincinnati provided Hendrickson hits certain thresholds.

    His proposal would send first- and third-round picks in 2026 and a second-rounder in 2027 if Hendrickson plays at least 60% of the team’s remaining defensive snaps, the 49ers make it to the playoffs, and they sign him to a contract extension.

    More NFL: Chiefs’ Andy Reid Doesn’t Hold Back on His Sideline Confrontation With Travis Kelce

    He then poses a scenario where San Francisco parts with just its 2026 first-rounder if Hendrickson plays at least 60% of the snaps and the team reached the postseason but he doesn’t sign an extension, and another one where the 49ers surrender a 2026 second-rounder if Hendrickson plays less than 60% of the snaps or the team misses the playoffs.

    “If the 49ers and Bengals can find a way to do something like this, it would get the Bengals the shot at quality compensation in a lost season for a player they’re likely losing anyway,” Kawakami reasoned.

    Head coach Kyle Shanahan did tell reporters earlier this week that filling Bosa’s spot via trade is something the team is exploring.

    More NFL: Falcons Shake Up Coaching Staff After Embarrassing Blowout vs Panthers

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  • Rams, 49ers both missing key players going into NFC West matchup

    Rams, 49ers both missing key players going into NFC West matchup

    San Francisco (1-1) at Los Angeles Rams (0-2)

    Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, FOX

    BetMGM NFL odds: 49ers by 7 1/2.

    Against the spread: 49ers 1-1; Rams 0-2.

    Series record: 49ers lead 78-69-3.

    Last meeting: Rams beat 49ers 21-20 in Santa Clara, Calif. on Jan. 7.

    Last week: 49ers lost to Minnesota 23-17; Rams lost to Arizona 41-10.

    49ers offense: overall (4), rush (11), pass (3), scoring (T-9).

    49ers defense: overall (20), rush (12), pass (T-22), scoring (T-15).

    Rams offense: overall (16), rush (31), pass (5), scoring (T-27).

    Rams defense: overall (32), rush (30), pass (24), scoring (31).

    Turnover differential: 49ers plus-2; Rams even.

    49ers player to watch

    WR Brandon Aiyuk. After missing all of training camp practices during a contract dispute, the second-team All-Pro from last season is off to a shaky start. Aiyuk dropped a potential TD pass in Week 1 and has just six catches for 71 yards in two games. With Deebo Samuel out a couple of weeks with a calf injury, the Niners will need Aiyuk to get back to his old form soon.

    Rams player to watch

    RB Kyren Williams. Missing their top two receivers in Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) for an extended period, Los Angeles will likely rely on Williams and the ground game to chew up clock, make things manageable for QB Matthew Stafford, and keep San Francisco’s offense off the field. Williams had 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 20 touches in a Week 2 loss to the 49ers last season and didn’t play in a meaningless Week 18 matchup.

    Key matchup

    Rams offensive line vs. 49ers defensive line. The injury-riddled Rams will have LT Alaric Jackson back in the lineup after he was suspended for the first two games of the season, joining RT Rob Havenstein and RG Kevin Dotson as the starters still standing three weeks into the season. That doesn’t bode well against a San Francisco front which has tended to dominate them in recent years. Nick Bosa got two sacks against the Vikings, and ex-Ram Leonard Floyd gives him a formidable bookend on the other side. After failing to keep Stafford clean in Arizona, the front five will have to be much better this week for the offense to have any traction.

    Key injuries

    S Talanoa Hufanga is expected to return for the first time since tearing his ACL last November. … The Niners will be without Samuel (calf) and RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles’ tendinitis). The most recent time they played a game without both of those players was in Week 13 of the 2021 season. … Rams CB Cobie Durant continues to be bothered by a toe injury, though he was able to play through it against the Cardinals. … Dotson should be able to play again despite a lingering foot injury.

    Series notes

    The Rams had lost nine straight regular-season games to the 49ers before coming up with a 1-point win to wrap up the regular season in January. What probably helps Sean McVay feel better about those struggles against his friend and former colleague Kyle Shanahan is the victory in the game that mattered most, when Los Angeles took the NFC championship from San Francisco on Jan. 30, 2022 en route to a Super Bowl title.

    Stats and stuff

    The 49ers went 11-1 in division games the past two regular seasons with the only loss coming in Week 18 last season against the Rams when they rested several starters. … Niners QB Brock Purdy is 7-0 in the regular season against NFC West teams and 1-0 in the playoffs. … Purdy leads the NFL with 550 yards passing the first two weeks. … Purdy has a passer rating of at least 100 in 15 of 23 starts in the regular season. The only players to do that are Patrick Mahomes (16) and Kurt Warner (15). … The 49ers have allowed opponents to convert 59.1% on third down, second worst in the NFL. … San Francisco leads the NFL with an average time of possession of 36:44 per game. … Niners RB Jordan Mason is the second undrafted player in the Super Bowl era to rush for at least 100 yards and a TD in each of the first two games of the season. Willie Parker did it in 2005. … Mason’s 247 yards rushing the past two weeks are the most in franchise history for a player in his first two career starts. … Niners LB Fred Warner leads the NFL with three forced fumbles in the first two games. His 14 career forced fumbles are two shy of Patrick Willis’ franchise record. … Stafford was 19 of 27 passing for 216 yards against the Cardinals, marking just the fourth instance in his long career he completed at least 70% of his throws for at least 200 yards without a touchdown. … Los Angeles allowed 231 yards rushing to Arizona, its highest tally since Week 4 of the 2021 season when the Cardinals got 216 yards on the ground. … Rookie OLB Jared Verse had three tackles for loss, giving him four through his first two games. … NT Kobie Turner has at least one sack in six of his past 11 games. … Kupp has the Rams’ only receiving touchdown this season, 34% of their receptions (18 of 53) and 28% of their receiving yards (147 of 533). … Williams has run for a touchdown in each of the past five regular-season games he has played in. No Rams RB has scored in six games in a row since Marshall Faulk in 2000.

    Fantasy tip

    Rams rookie WR Jordan Whittington has a lot of the attributes that have made Kupp and Nacua so effective in McVay’s offense, making him worth grabbing for fantasy rosters. Depending on the recovery timelines of their two stars, the Texas product Whittington could emerge over the course of the season as a useful fantasy option and one of the bright spots in what is already shaping up to be a rough season for Los Angeles.

    ___

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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  • A Potential Haason Reddick Trade? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    A Potential Haason Reddick Trade? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    While the Super Bowl was the perfect way to kick off the week, Eagles fans received some frightening news on Sunday.

     

    A panic was set in before the big game had even started. Would the Eagles really end up trading their star Defensive End?

    Thankfully on Wednesday, some more information came out on this catastrophic situation.

     

    Reddick himself confirmed that HE was not the one to ask for the trade request. Which asks the question, where did the trade request come from?

    Nothing New From Howie Roseman

    There was more than enough reason to panic. Nothing like hearing your Defensive Player of the Year Finalist could be on a new team soon. But after the news was confirmed that Reddick wasn’t seeking the trade himself. Things began to make more sense, as this isn’t the first time the Eagles have gone about contract negotiations with a potential trade.

    Just days before free agency of the 2023 season started. The Eagles and Darius Slay were in a similar situation. While the Eagles eventually cut Slay at the start of free agency. Only 1 day later, and Slay was back with Philly on a brand new 3 Year, $42 million deal.

    Hopefully if this situation unfolds the same way. Reddick will find himself with a new contract, and a lengthy stay in Philadelphia.

     

    On The Other Side Of The Coin

    But what if the Eagles DID trade Haason Reddick? Currently, Reddick is the 21st highest paid edge rusher(per spotrac). Since joining the Eagles in 2022, let’s see how Reddick compares to some of the highest paid edge rushers.

    1. ($34M) Nick Bosa, 33 Games Played, 30 Sacks
    2. ($28M) T.J. Watt, 27 Games Played, 24.5 Sacks
    3. ($27M) Joey Bosa, 14 Games Played, 9 Sacks
    4. ($25M) Myles Garrett, 32 Games Played, 33 Sacks
    5. ($24.5M) Montez Sweat, 34 Games Played, 20.5 Sacks
    6. ($24M) Rashan Gary, 26 Games Played, 15 Sacks
    7. ($23.5M) Maxx Crosby, 34 Games Played, 27 Sacks
    8. ($23.5M) Khalil Mack, 34 Games Played, 25 Sacks

    With 27.5 Sacks of his own, it’s clear enough that the contract Howie Roseman was able to get Reddick on was a highlight of the 2022 Off-season. Expecting to see an extension somewhere above the $25 Million average, the Eagles could be in an even longer off-season next year with Reddick, Sweat, Smith and Dickerson all due for large contracts.

     

    The Last Huge Edge To Get Traded

    It’s been almost 6 years since the Raiders traded Khalil Mack to the Bears. In his debut season with Chicago he put up 12.5 Sacks in only 14 games! The price to pay for a 27-year old Khalil Mack? Not only was it a 6-year, $141M contract. The Bears also received a 2020 2nd round pick (TE Cole Kmet) and a 2020 7th (OL Arlington Hambright) in the trade. However, Chicago sent 4 draft picks to the then Oakland Raiders which ended up becoming:

    • 2019 1st (RB Josh Jacobs)
    • 2019 6th (CB Blessuan Austin) – This pick was traded to the Jets, which resulted in a 2019 5th (WR Hunter Renfrow)
    • 2020 1st (CB Damon Arnette)
    • 2020 3rd (WR Bryan Edwards)

    At the time of this trade, Mack was 27. However 4 years later, the Bears would get the following when they traded a 30-year old Mack to the Chargers:

    • 2022 2nd (S Jaquan Brisker)
    • 2023 6th (DL Scott Matlock) – This pick was traded back to the Chargers, which resulted in 2 2022 7th’s (S Elijah Hicks & P Trenton Gill)

     

    With 1 season left on Reddick’s contract, the Eagles could end up with a 1st round pick and more. While losing the star edge rusher would leave 862 defensive snaps to fill, the Eagles could stock up on more draft picks and attempt to make a splash on upcoming free agents like Danielle Hunter, Chase Young or Marcus Davenport.

     

    For the record, I’d love to keep Reddick as long as we can. However with him and Josh Sweat due in 2025, sometimes tough choices have to be made.

     

    What would you do with this situation if you were in Howie Roseman’s shoes?

     

    Go Birds!

     

     

     

     

    Photo Credit: AP Photo / Chris Szagola

    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • Super Bowl LVIII: A guide to the 49ers’ championship rematch against the Chiefs

    Super Bowl LVIII: A guide to the 49ers’ championship rematch against the Chiefs


    The stage is set for a Super Bowl rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. Both teams overcame a season of peaks and valleys, nonstop headlines and the pressure to sustain the success they’ve enjoyed over the past several years. The Chiefs are looking to solidify a dynasty, while the 49ers have an opportunity to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Kansas City in Superbowl LIV. If the game itself doesn’t excite you, a highly anticipated Usher performance, wacky commercials and Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce schedule conflicts might. Super Bowl LVIII has just about everything. Here’s what to know. Details on kickoffSometimes, you can get so caught up in planning your Super Bowl that you can lose track of the time the game actually starts. Super Bowl LVIII is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will be telecast on CBS. | SAVE MONEY | Score major deals on TVs in time for the Super BowlThere will be an alternate telecast airing at the same time on Nickelodeon. The telecast will open with an animated performance of the song “Sweet Victory” from “Spongebob Squarepants.”Spongebob or Tony Romo? The choice is yours.| MORE | Tom Brady speaks about the ‘respect’ he has for Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy ahead of Super Bowl LVIIIWhat colors are each team wearing?The Chiefs will wear their red jerseys, while the 49ers will wear white.Each season, the winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) alternate between which conference representative will be considered the home team in the Super Bowl. The home team gets the first pick over the away team of which color jersey they will wear.The Chiefs represent the AFC and are considered the home team this year.Kansas City also wore red while the Niners wore white when they met in Super Bowl LIV.| MORE | Cheer on Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers at home with Niners-themed party itemsFree Usher concert!Usher was announced in September as the headlining performer for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. The NFL released a series of ads promoting his performance that included a callback to his iconic “Confessions, Pt. II” music video. A Las Vegas performance makes all the sense in the world for Usher, who had a residency in the city from June 2022 to December 2023. Earlier in his superstar career, Usher said it was a goal of his to one day take over Las Vegas and put on an unforgettable show. He’s already been doing this, but now, the world will be watching. “It definitely has been a challenge to squeeze 30 years into 13 minutes,” he said when he addressed the media Thursday in advance of Sunday’s Super Bowl.He said he’s been asking himself, “What songs do people know me for, what songs have been a celebration of all of the journey?”| MORE | Making the trip to Super Bowl LVIII? Check out these things to do in VegasHow much does it cost to attend the game?Prices for a seat at Allegiant Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday start no lower than $5,000 across multiple ticket vendors. Below is a roundup of prices As of the morning of Feb. 5. Vivid Seats: Tickets are selling from $5,307 on Vivid SeatsStubHub: Tickets are selling from $5,394 on StubhubSeatGeek: Tickets are selling from $5,773 on SeatGeekTicketmaster: Tickets are selling from $5,800 on TicketmasterTickPick: Tickets are selling from $6,944 on TickPickTicket Network: Tickets are selling from $7,282 on Ticket NetworkKeep in mind these are the lowest ticket prices. The average price of a ticket ranges from $9,000-$12,000 across multiple vendor sites.KCRA 3’s Del Rodgers said that when he played in Super Bowl XXIII, ticket prices were $100. Both teams’ road back to the Super BowlOften in team sports, greatness can be taken for granted. Each season ends with just one champion, they’re celebrated for a few months, and then the pressure to do it again is immediately back on as if it never happened. No teams have won more playoff games than the Chiefs (13) and 49ers (8) since the 2019 postseason. The writing was probably always on the wall for them to meet in the Super Bowl again, but you wouldn’t know it based on the discourse around both teams since last spring. The Niners entered this season with a quarterback controversy on their hands. | MORE | What to know about 2 Niners players with Sacramento-area tiesBrock Purdy was thrown into the fire in 2022 as a rookie and helped San Francisco make a push to the NFC Championship Game, but he tore a ligament in his elbow in the first quarter and the team got blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles. Purdy, the last pick in his draft, went undefeated as a starter in the 2022 regular season and brought the team within one game of the Super Bowl, but ahead of the 2023 season, he was coming off an injury to his throwing arm and the 49ers still had to figure out what to do with Trey Lance, who they drafted in 2021. | MORE | Sacramento’s Bark Purdy makes Puppy Bowl finals for Most PupularPurdy and Lance competed for the starting quarterback spot in training camp. After months of media speculation, 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear Purdy had won the starting spot, telling Sports Illustrated in August: “He would have to melt in practice to lose .”Trey Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys weeks before the season and the Niners came out the gates on a roll. The Niners won their first five games, lost the next three and then won eight straight to lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 (when most of the Niners key players were resting for the playoffs). Despite a 13-4 season where San Francisco blew their opponents out more often than not, some still poked holes at their success.Purdy was named a finalist for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. Still, some argued he was being carried by his supporting cast, particularly Christian McCaffrey, who is also a finalist for MVP. The 49ers defense is loaded with talent, but they weren’t as statistically dominant as they have been in years past. In the NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions, the Niners trailed 24-7 at halftime and it looked like the team was going to fall a game short of reaching the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season. But in the second half, the script flipped. The Niner defense got stops, Purdy made plays and his supporting cast did too. Now all the doubters are going to have to wait a week. As for Kansas City, the reigning Super Bowl champs have been facing doubt since the first game of the season, a loss to the Detroit Lions at home. Much was made all year long of the Chiefs’ lack of reliable wide receivers. The offense in the regular season was the least dynamic it looked since Patrick Mahomes won league MVP in his first year as the starter in 2018. Mahomes still had a reliable security blanket in Travis Kelce and the guidance of one of the greatest NFL coaches ever: Andy Reid. But as the season progressed, narrow victories against weaker teams became memorable losses to playoff teams. The spotlight has been on the Chiefs since they beat the 49ers in Super Bowl 54, opening the door for them to be the next great NFL team after 20 years of dominance from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s Patriots. But this year, they were under the microscope like never before. Between Kelce’s headline-grabbing relationship with Taylor Swift and Mahomes’ increasing frustration with the offense’s struggles, the stage was seemingly set for the best team of the past five years to melt down. | MORE | Will Travis Kelce propose to Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl? There’s a gambling line for thatIt looked like this may not be the Chiefs’ season and they would crack under the pressure to keep their success going. It turns out, the playoffs removed all of that pressure. While much was said of the struggling Chiefs offense this season, the emergence of a truly dominant defense flew under the radar. That defense has held Kansas City’s playoff opponents to a combined 41 points in three games. Mahomes and Kelce returned to their typical playoff form and have willed the offense to victories, along with running back Isaiah Pacheco, who has had a rushing touchdown in all three games. | MORE | 49ers legend Jerry Rice had a hilarious response to Travis Kelce breaking his recordThe Niners’ quest for the sixth Super Bowl in franchise history has led them to the same destination it did four seasons ago: A matchup with a Chiefs team that keeps finding new ways to break their opponent’s hearts. But who’s to say this time won’t be different? We’re just going to have to watch and see. Daily Super Bowl Coverage The San Francisco 49ers are just one win away from securing the franchise’s sixth championship. KCRA 3 is going all in on Niners coverage live from Las Vegas every day this week leading up to the Super Bowl. Watch our specials at 7:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.

    The stage is set for a Super Bowl rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.

    Both teams overcame a season of peaks and valleys, nonstop headlines and the pressure to sustain the success they’ve enjoyed over the past several years.

    The Chiefs are looking to solidify a dynasty, while the 49ers have an opportunity to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Kansas City in Superbowl LIV.

    If the game itself doesn’t excite you, a highly anticipated Usher performance, wacky commercials and Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce schedule conflicts might.

    Super Bowl LVIII has just about everything. Here’s what to know.

    Details on kickoff

    Sometimes, you can get so caught up in planning your Super Bowl that you can lose track of the time the game actually starts.

    Super Bowl LVIII is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will be telecast on CBS.

    | SAVE MONEY | Score major deals on TVs in time for the Super Bowl

    There will be an alternate telecast airing at the same time on Nickelodeon. The telecast will open with an animated performance of the song “Sweet Victory” from “Spongebob Squarepants.”

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Spongebob or Tony Romo? The choice is yours.

    | MORE | Tom Brady speaks about the ‘respect’ he has for Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy ahead of Super Bowl LVIII

    What colors are each team wearing?

    The Chiefs will wear their red jerseys, while the 49ers will wear white.

    Each season, the winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) alternate between which conference representative will be considered the home team in the Super Bowl. The home team gets the first pick over the away team of which color jersey they will wear.

    The Chiefs represent the AFC and are considered the home team this year.

    Kansas City also wore red while the Niners wore white when they met in Super Bowl LIV.

    | MORE | Cheer on Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers at home with Niners-themed party items

    Free Usher concert!

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 15: Singer/songwriter Usher performs during the 2022 Lovers &amp&#x3B; Friends music festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds  on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

    Usher was announced in September as the headlining performer for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.

    The NFL released a series of ads promoting his performance that included a callback to his iconic “Confessions, Pt. II” music video.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    A Las Vegas performance makes all the sense in the world for Usher, who had a residency in the city from June 2022 to December 2023.

    Earlier in his superstar career, Usher said it was a goal of his to one day take over Las Vegas and put on an unforgettable show. He’s already been doing this, but now, the world will be watching.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    “It definitely has been a challenge to squeeze 30 years into 13 minutes,” he said when he addressed the media Thursday in advance of Sunday’s Super Bowl.

    He said he’s been asking himself, “What songs do people know me for, what songs have been a celebration of all of the journey?”

    | MORE | Making the trip to Super Bowl LVIII? Check out these things to do in Vegas

    How much does it cost to attend the game?

    Prices for a seat at Allegiant Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday start no lower than $5,000 across multiple ticket vendors.

    Below is a roundup of prices As of the morning of Feb. 5.

    Keep in mind these are the lowest ticket prices. The average price of a ticket ranges from $9,000-$12,000 across multiple vendor sites.

    KCRA 3’s Del Rodgers said that when he played in Super Bowl XXIII, ticket prices were $100.

    Both teams’ road back to the Super Bowl

    Often in team sports, greatness can be taken for granted.

    Each season ends with just one champion, they’re celebrated for a few months, and then the pressure to do it again is immediately back on as if it never happened.

    No teams have won more playoff games than the Chiefs (13) and 49ers (8) since the 2019 postseason. The writing was probably always on the wall for them to meet in the Super Bowl again, but you wouldn’t know it based on the discourse around both teams since last spring.

    The Niners entered this season with a quarterback controversy on their hands.

    | MORE | What to know about 2 Niners players with Sacramento-area ties

    Brock Purdy was thrown into the fire in 2022 as a rookie and helped San Francisco make a push to the NFC Championship Game, but he tore a ligament in his elbow in the first quarter and the team got blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles.

    Purdy, the last pick in his draft, went undefeated as a starter in the 2022 regular season and brought the team within one game of the Super Bowl, but ahead of the 2023 season, he was coming off an injury to his throwing arm and the 49ers still had to figure out what to do with Trey Lance, who they drafted in 2021.

    | MORE | Sacramento’s Bark Purdy makes Puppy Bowl finals for Most Pupular

    Purdy and Lance competed for the starting quarterback spot in training camp. After months of media speculation, 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear Purdy had won the starting spot, telling Sports Illustrated in August: “He would have to melt in practice to lose [the job].”

    Trey Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys weeks before the season and the Niners came out the gates on a roll.

    The Niners won their first five games, lost the next three and then won eight straight to lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 (when most of the Niners key players were resting for the playoffs).

    Despite a 13-4 season where San Francisco blew their opponents out more often than not, some still poked holes at their success.

    Purdy was named a finalist for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. Still, some argued he was being carried by his supporting cast, particularly Christian McCaffrey, who is also a finalist for MVP.

    The 49ers defense is loaded with talent, but they weren’t as statistically dominant as they have been in years past.

    In the NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions, the Niners trailed 24-7 at halftime and it looked like the team was going to fall a game short of reaching the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season.

    But in the second half, the script flipped.

    The Niner defense got stops, Purdy made plays and his supporting cast did too. Now all the doubters are going to have to wait a week.

    As for Kansas City, the reigning Super Bowl champs have been facing doubt since the first game of the season, a loss to the Detroit Lions at home.

    Much was made all year long of the Chiefs’ lack of reliable wide receivers. The offense in the regular season was the least dynamic it looked since Patrick Mahomes won league MVP in his first year as the starter in 2018.

    Mahomes still had a reliable security blanket in Travis Kelce and the guidance of one of the greatest NFL coaches ever: Andy Reid. But as the season progressed, narrow victories against weaker teams became memorable losses to playoff teams.

    The spotlight has been on the Chiefs since they beat the 49ers in Super Bowl 54, opening the door for them to be the next great NFL team after 20 years of dominance from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s Patriots.

    But this year, they were under the microscope like never before. Between Kelce’s headline-grabbing relationship with Taylor Swift and Mahomes’ increasing frustration with the offense’s struggles, the stage was seemingly set for the best team of the past five years to melt down.

    | MORE | Will Travis Kelce propose to Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl? There’s a gambling line for that

    It looked like this may not be the Chiefs’ season and they would crack under the pressure to keep their success going. It turns out, the playoffs removed all of that pressure.

    While much was said of the struggling Chiefs offense this season, the emergence of a truly dominant defense flew under the radar.

    That defense has held Kansas City’s playoff opponents to a combined 41 points in three games. Mahomes and Kelce returned to their typical playoff form and have willed the offense to victories, along with running back Isaiah Pacheco, who has had a rushing touchdown in all three games.

    | MORE | 49ers legend Jerry Rice had a hilarious response to Travis Kelce breaking his record

    The Niners’ quest for the sixth Super Bowl in franchise history has led them to the same destination it did four seasons ago: A matchup with a Chiefs team that keeps finding new ways to break their opponent’s hearts.

    But who’s to say this time won’t be different? We’re just going to have to watch and see.

    Daily Super Bowl Coverage

    The San Francisco 49ers are just one win away from securing the franchise’s sixth championship.

    KCRA 3 is going all in on Niners coverage live from Las Vegas every day this week leading up to the Super Bowl.

    Watch our specials at 7:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.



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  • Nick Bosa’s Girlfriend Has A Unique Way Of Supporting Her BF On The Field

    Nick Bosa’s Girlfriend Has A Unique Way Of Supporting Her BF On The Field


    Keeping it on the low. Nick Bosa’s girlfriend is supporting him every time. Though they haven’t addressed anything about their relationship, they seem extremely close and encouraging.

    Born to former Miami Dolphins football player John Bosa, Nick Bosa started out in the sport from a young age alongside his brother Joey Bosa, who plays for the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. He committed to Ohio State University to play college football before the San Francisco 49ers used the second overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on him.

    At the time of his signing, he was estimated to make more than $33.5 million over the course of the deal, including a signing bonus of $22.4 million. His contract will count for $6.1 million in 2019, $7.625 million in 2020, $9.15 million in 2021, and $10.675 million in 2022. He decided to extend his contract after its expiration. The 49ers agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension that includes $122.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

    He’s currently the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. “Nick is a special talent, everybody knows that,” 49ers president of football operations and general manager John Lynch said. “You just turn on the tape, and the guy was made to play D-line – way he moves, his hand use, how technical of a player he is, his athleticism, the ground he gains on his first steps, the quickness with the strength, the power and the speed – he’s got it all.” So who is Nick Bosa’s girlfriend? Read more to find out.

    Who is Nick Bosa’s girlfriend?

    Nick Bosa’s girlfriend is Lauren Maenner, a model who also specializes in public relations and marketing. She’s signed with Next Models and The Industry. Neither Bosa or Maenner have directly commented on their relationship, but Maenner posts her continuous support of her boyfriend from the stands.

    It was first suspected that she was dating the defender in December 2022 when she posted a picture of herself, Bosa’s mother Cheryl, and Joey Bosa’s girlfriend Amanda Kassdikian at a Los Angeles Chargers game. “Chargers are the second favorite team ok,” Maenner wrote on Instagram.

    Nick’s mom finally confirmed the romance as she posted a photo of Maenner and Kassdikian with the caption, “I love my sons gfs!!! #mamabearscublets” She also regularly posts photos with Maenner in a private suite during 49ers games.

    Maenner is originally from Philadelphia, PA and graduated from Temple University with a bachelors degree in in public relations, advertising and applied communication in 2021. She posted a photo of her while watching the 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles play it out while posting a photo with the caption, “Haha this is awkward.”

    The only time that Bosa was featured in Maenner’s Instagram was when the model soft-launched him in an Instagram carousel. In the photo, Maenner is hugging Bosa in a window reflection.

    When It Was Just a Game
    Image: Taylor Trade Publishing.Taylor Trade Publishing.

    For more about the NFL, football fans can check out When It Was Just a Game: Remembering the First Super Bowl
    by Harvey Frommer. The best-selling book delves into the history of the first Super Bowl, which was originally known as the AFL-NFL Championship Game. (The term “Super Bowl” was coined only in its third year.) The debut game, between the winning Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs, was played in front of only 61,946 people at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—an audience well below the stadium’s capacity. Harvey Frommer, a sports historian and reporter, puts the tale of that momentous game together using oral history, gathered by hundreds of interviews with players, coaches, media and spectators alike.

    Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale





    Lea Veloso

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  • Nick Bosa Quietly Admits To Offensive Tackle That Being Held Feels Nice

    Nick Bosa Quietly Admits To Offensive Tackle That Being Held Feels Nice

    PHILADELPHIA—As the players stood around on the field during a timeout in the NFC Championship game, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was reportedly heard quietly admitting to Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata that being held feels nice. “I’m just saying, it’s a tough game, and being able to experience the warmth of human touch for a few minutes during it really gives me the strength to keep going,” said Bosa, adding that even when play was whistled dead, he didn’t want the embrace to end. “It really brightens my day, and I’m man enough to admit it. Sure, we’re on different teams, and our goals are diametrically opposite each other, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the intimate moment when our arms are locked together. It’s only human, after all. I wonder, though, if next time you could hold me a little tighter, and maybe whisper into my ear that everything is going to be okay?” At press time, Bosa had dived into a scrum of players trying to recover a fumble in an effort to cuddle.

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  • Christian McCaffrey Trade To The San Francisco 49ers: Analyzing The Fit And Finances

    Christian McCaffrey Trade To The San Francisco 49ers: Analyzing The Fit And Finances

    If you have followed this page over the past couple weeks, you know full well that a certain someone has been advocating for the San Francisco 49ers to trade for Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey.

    I won’t go as far to say that general manager John Lynch and Co. heeded my call. But late Thursday evening, news broke that pretty much shattered the NFL news cycle.

    Multiple media reports indicated that San Francisco did indeed acquire McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in a blockbuster trade. Both San Francisco and Carolina made the deal official a bit while later.

    In return for one of the game’s most-electric players, San Francisco sent second-and-third-round picks in 2023, a fourth-round pick next April and a fifth rounder in 2024 to Carolina.

    To be clear, this is a high price to pay for an injury-plagued back who had suited up in a combined 10 games in the previous two seasons ahead of the 2022 campaign.

    But it’s also a move that San Francisco viewed as a necessity following an ugly Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and with the team set to welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to town on Sunday.

    A first-round pick of the Panthers out of Stanford back in 2017, McCaffrey has returned to pre-injury form this far this season with 670 total yards and three touchdowns through six games. Let’s break down this deal below.

    MORE FROM FORBESSan Francisco 49ers on the Forbes NFL Team Valuations List

    Christian McCaffrey’s Fit With The San Francisco 49ers

    Objectively, it couldn’t be more ideal for both sides. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has always fancied himself dual-threat running backs dating back to his days as the Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator all the way back in 2008.

    McCaffrey is just that. In fact, his 33 receptions this season would lead the 49ers. Prior to the injuries of the past two seasons, McCaffrey caught a combined 223 passes while hauling in 83.8% of his targets in 2018 and 2019.

    It’s also not like McCaffrey doesn’t do damage on the ground. He’s averaging 61 rushing yards per game at a clip of 4.6 yards per attempt throughout his career.

    McCaffrey has loads of experience in San Francisco’s outside zone-blocking scheme, too. That should make it a seamless transition for the star back.

    The addition of McCaffrey changes the dynamics for San Francisco’s offense in a big way. Once he returns from injury, Elijah Mitchell will be used a change-of-pace back. The 49ers can also utilize current RB1 Jeff Wilson as a short-yardage guy. He’s scored a whopping 19 touchdowns in his past 37 games.

    More importantly, opposing defenses are now going to have major issues game-planning against the 49ers.

    Deebo Samuel likely won’t need to see much action in the backfield with McCaffrey in the mix. He can now focus primarily on being a wide receiver opposite breakout player Brandon Aiyuk.

    The idea of defenses having to plan for formations with the likes of McCaffrey, Kittle, Samuel and Aiyuk all on the field is a thing of nightmares for coordinators.

    Finances Of The Christian McCaffrey Trade

    From a salary cap perspective, this deal does very little in 2022. McCaffrey is due a mere $1.035 million base salary after restructuring his conract with Carolina back in the spring. San Francisco is on the hook for a pro-rated version of that (roughly $669,705.00).

    The long-term outlook is different. McCaffrey is playing under a four-year, $64 million contract that he signed back in April of 2020. He’s set to count $19.55 million against the cap in 2023 with cap hits of $19.55 million in 2024 and $15.45 million in 2025.

    In terms of the 49ers responsibility for that, he’ll count $12 million against their cap in 2023 and 2024 with a $12.2 million hit in 2025.

    By taking on McCaffrey’s contract, Lynch and Co. are now committing top-end cash to yet another position.

    Even prior to this blockbuster trade, the likes of fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams, linebacker Fred Warner, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive lineman Arik Armstead were among the highest-paid NFL players at their respective positions.

    This doesn’t even take into account the need to sign Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa to what would be a record-breaking contract extension next summer. His new deal will likely come in at somewhere near $25 million annually.

    Prior to this deal, San Francisco was projected to have roughly $18.5 million in cap room for next season. The McCaffrey trade brings this to well under $10 million.

    Financial gymnastics would have to be part of the game for the 49ers’ front office. This would likely include restructuring the contracts of Williams, Armstead, Warner, Kittle and Charvarius Ward, who are set to count a combined $76-plus million against the cap in 2023.

    As it stands, the 49ers have avenues that could help with the cap next spring. The increase in the NFL salary cap moving forward due to its historic television contracts will help here, too.

    Remaining San Francisco 49ers Draft Picks Following Christian McCaffrey Trade

    On the surface, this deal seems to deplete San Francisco’s draft capital, especially with its first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft already gone due to the Trey Lance deal.

    That’s just on the surface. The 49ers are projected to pick up two third-round compensatory picks under the guise of the NFL’s minority hiring program. It should also pick up a fifth, sixth and seventh via the NFL free-agent compensation loophole.

    This should leave the 49ers with a nice amount of selections once all is said and done. Sure they’ll be without picks in the first two rounds. But the question becomes whether anyone selected in that range would have anywhere near the same impact as a healthy Christian McCaffrey over the next three-plus seasons. It seems highly unlikely.

    Vincent Frank, Contributor

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