It's Time to Prove It

Yesterday felt like a gut punch - a sharp reminder that this team is run by an ownership group that grows impatient quickly, despite the fact that owning the 49ers during the Shanahan era has made them an absolute metric shit ton of money.

Last offseason was a total clusterfuck. Too many players holding out for more money - it seemed like everyone was out for a cash grab. Then we paid these guys, and what did we get? Absolutely nothing. Especially Aiyuk - not exactly a great return on investment there.

So now, ownership is sending a clear message: “We’ll cut everyone loose if we have to. If you didn’t produce, changes are coming.”

Part of me actually loves this. It sends a strong signal to players that producing on the field is what counts. It shows we’re done throwing money at established “stars” who’ve, frankly, been acting pretty entitled lately.

The only loss that really stings for me is Dre Greenlaw - that one burns. Juice? Bye. Hufanga? You weren’t going to start anyway. Collins? Who?

We’re still digging ourselves out from under trading three first-round picks for Trey Lance - one of the biggest blunders in NFL history. Ownership is now telling Kyle and John that they need to draft better. They’re saying no huge contracts this offseason, so make it work with what you have. And I’m absolutely here for it.

Is Brock Purdy the guy? Like I’ve said before - not if he’s expecting more than $45 million. Paying him just because others got paid is stupid. Fuck it, maybe don’t pay him at all and make him play out this season. “But his price will go up”. Maybe. Maybe not. If he wants more than 45M, don’t pay him.

Kyle, you’ve built a winning system. Now prove you’re the coaching genius everyone says you are.

Lynch, you’ve found gems late in drafts. Can you finally hit on blue-chip talent early on? Prove you can draft elite players.

This season is pivotal. If it’s a failure, expect wholesale changes again. The Shanahan-Lynch experiment has been profitable, but ownership clearly won’t tolerate complacency.

The cupboard isn’t empty. There is a TON of talent still on this team. Some of it older, but still talented. Everyone has to step up now. I have big expectations for Jennings, Pearsall, CMC, and Kittle. I expect players like Malik Mustapha and Deommodore Lenoir to take another step. I expect this team to be tough.

This is the “prove it” season - and I’m bullish that this team can be great.

Just prove it.