Brock Purdy, 49ers stars reflect, discuss takeaways from team's 2025 NFL season

49ers stars Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and more speak to reporters on Monday as San Francisco concludes its 2025-26 NFL season.

Brock Purdy, 49ers stars reflect, discuss takeaways from team's 2025 NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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Brock, a lot of guys talked about the hope going into next year.

Just because you had so many young guys get so many reps. Do you have the same feeling?

Definitely.

Um, you know.

It's pretty cool to have the amount of young guys that we had.

Offensively, defensively, special teams, step up into the roles they had this year.

And, and flourish, and take advantage of their opportunities and such.

And so with that, you know, obviously, you think things can always get better experience with things.

So, that's something we all will definitely look forward to.

Brock, you mentioned the other night that the Toe felt pretty good as the year went on.

Will you need any procedure or any sort of Special rehab or treatment after the season that would change your offseason?

Or is that all good to go?

No.

Yeah, it's good to go.

I mean, obviously, I'll continue to, strengthen it, give it some rest, and whatnot.

Too, so, um, but it's good.

Brock, when you reflect on the season, what did you learn most?

I know at one point in the season, when I asked you about the time you spent off, Clicking with yourself, it was that time you had spent off the field with turf toe.

Now that it's all over, what have you learned the most?

And what have you reflected on the longest?

I think, Um, man, just our quarterback room and Mick Lombardi.

Like, you know, we talked about it today a little bit.

But just, you know, how hard he coached the quarterbacks, um.

But also had fun within the year.

And what the mindset needs to be, You know, going into each and every game, I feel like I grew in that regard.

And my fundamentals, I feel like I got better this year.

And can still improve.

But, um, I just feel like I got better in that, in that space.

So, obviously, I'll keep trying to improve The mental side of things.

I think that's the next thing for me.

Um, but overall, man, I thought, you know, it was a growth year for sure.

So a lot of your teammates are talking about how special this is.

This group is and was, and when they look back down the road.

They'll really appreciate it.

How does that feel for you?

Do you think, as a pantheon of teams, that this one is really special?

Yeah, I really do think it was a special year.

Um, you know, Given the circumstances that we were put in and dealt with.

And guys going down, you know, you see it across the league that, You know, sometimes teams don't really have what it takes to have these kind of circumstances, and then push forward and make it to the playoffs.

And have a chance to be a one seed at the end of the year.

And all the things that we were able to accomplish, man.

A lot of teams would throw in the towel, and for us to be able to do what we did, And we had 13 wins this year, and had a lot of young guys.

Step up and come into a role and play at a high level.

Like... And, more than anything, the love of this locker room and the brotherhood that we have, like, to be able to do it together week in week out, give it, give it everything we had.

Um, that's something that we'll You know, carry with us.

So, um, you know, in my eyes, It was a special year.

How hopeful are you that Jauan Jennings is back?

Here next year?

Yeah, I'm extremely hopeful.

You know, he's my guy, and I love playing with him.

And everything that we've been through.

And, um, You know, he's a war daddy, that every time you step out on that field, Man, you know you're going to get your best and get everything from JJ.

So, obviously, I want my guy back.

There's also going to be a lot of interest in Mac Jones on the trade market this year.

What would you say to teams that want him?

To be their starter?

What was it like to have him here this past year?

He's the man.

You know, love Mac.

Um, you know, I think he comes in every single day with the right mindset.

So, obviously, help the quarterback room, help the team out.

Um, he's very smart.

He takes care of business.

And when you need him at the biggest stage and the biggest moment, He's going to deliver.

And more than anything, Like, he and I got really close, and he helped me, you know.

With my game.

So, I'll always appreciate him for that.

Um, you know, but, obviously, I want the best for him.

And I want him to have a great situation down the road.

But, you know, if we get another year together, I'll be extremely happy about that.

Too.

You said you want to- What was it?

That you learned from Mac?

I think just the day-to-day routine of how to be an NFL quarterback.

Like, just picking his brain on that, and also watching him play in our offense and our scheme, and how efficient he was.

And, um, You know, there are still things for me to learn from him.

Too, you know, when I go back and watch the film, and how he played in.

In the games that he did in our system.

And, um, But I just thought he was really efficient, and, um, very smart.

Decisive, and one heck of a competitor.

You said you want to improve the mental Your game.

What do you mean exactly by that?

Um, just mindset, you know, in a game, in situations, even.

You know, leading up to a game, how I'm preparing.

I still feel like there are some areas where I can be on top of my craft.

And, um, just being ready for games in general.

Um, I don't know.

I feel like I'm always trying to find little tidbits and things.

That's why I ask Mac or Mick Lombardi.

Um, every game is different.

How do I prepare for a certain game?

Situation?

So that's what I mean by that.

Brock, last year at this time, we were asking a bunch of questions about your contract.

This year, that's settled.

You don't have that.

How much better and different can this off-season be for you?

Just in terms of not having any sort of distraction and just kind of focusing on Football?

Yeah, I think, you know, mentally, That was something for sure that obviously was there every day and whatnot.

But, um, last year, the nice thing was I still went about my business, Taking care of my body and training, getting ready for the season.

Um, in that regard.

So, you know, I'm going to do that as well.

But mentally, it'll be nice to be able to focus on my wife and our daughter.

And have that, you know, sort of off-the-field kind of season of life.

But also train my butt off to get ready for what the season holds next year.

You know, it's not going to...

It never, never is easy.

Um, any NFL season, so I gotta get ready for that.

But it'll be nice to get some time away with my family.

Brock, pushing Kittle around and making sure he's... Yeah.

I'm gonnayeah.

Make sure George is on top of his rehab.

So, it'll be fun.

Brock, in the last couple more, Guys, 48 hours, you've walked off the field, The season's over, you guys fly back, you're here, you're boxing up.

You're going to walk out.

What are the emotions of this finality?

Season like, feel for you personally?

Yeah, I mean, It was, it was a long year.

Just, you know.

Coming into the year, I was like: "Man, I want to play my best year."

And then, you know, going to Seattle and boom, I get turf toe.

And overall, I was out eight weeks.

And so for me, It was like, "Dang, this isn't how I expected the year to go for me personally."

But, uh, we were also winning games.

Matt came in, played great, so I was trying to do everything I could to serve the QB room team.

And when I did come back, like, Finding ways to find myself and be able to play at a high level.

So, it was just a lot emotionally, and obviously physically.

But that's playing in the NFL, you know?

And you've got to find a way to, At the end of the day, be your best version of yourself and, and go win games.

And so I'm proud that we were able to do that.

As a team.

You know, it sucks how it ended.

We also have that bitter taste in our mouth.

But, um, definitely going to learn from this, and I'm really excited for the 49ers and what we're going to do moving forward.

Brock, last one.

Guys?

You first came back from your toe when you first came back, but when you came back at Arizona, how hard...

I mean, how physically hard was that, or was it not that hard?

And what were you dealing with on that first comeback?

No, I was at a spot where I felt good, obviously, enough to go out and play.

Um, how I needed to play.

And, and, um, so going into that game, Like, you know, after the game, I could feel my toe a little bit.

A little sore and whatnot, but that's part of it.

And, um, it didn't affect me and how I played and the decisions and all that.

So, I was happy with where I was at physically.

And, once I came back, cleared, ready to go.

Um, you know, I didn't try to think about my toe or anything like that.

I've said that all year, and I stand by that.

So, I would just say if you're lying, You're lying to me.

Oh, yeah, no.

Just to you.

Thanks, Aaron.

Yeah, right.

What is your assessment on the season?

And where you are now health-wise?

Yeah, I think, You know, obviously we came up short, and it's always tough when the season ends.

Abruptly.

But, man, I'm so proud to be a part of this.

Group.

Um, you know, it's, uh...

It was such an encouraging year from an individual standpoint.

Being around this group of guys who, you know, came into work with the, The right attitude, the right mindset every day, and just kept fighting.

No matter what was thrown our way, I'll always be grateful to be part of this team.

You led the league in touches this year.

Does that go into your calculus?

Um, going into the off-season and what you'll do and how you'll approach it?

Um, you know, yes and no.

You know, it's more on how you feel.

I feel really good.

You know, obviously, last game I had some Neck and neck stuff going on, but nothing that's gonna keep me out.

So, I'm really grateful to finish the season healthy.

Last year, I didn't lead the league in touches.

And that was a much tougher offseason.

So, you know, It's really just how you feel, and I feel blessed and... You know, feel good and get ready to train.

Christian asked you that this was one of the hardest years of your... Oh.

Same.

Too nice.

Same old.

You said it was the hardest year of your life.

Now that you've had a chance to reflect, what about it made it so hard?

But then, what is the silver lining for you when you also try to find the positive?

The glass half full?

Yeah, I think just physically more than anything.

Just coming off of three injuries, that took a long time to get back to, uh, to training, building a base.

All that stuff.

It just, it was more just the time and, Um, the monotony of training and rehab, doing that stuff every day for a full off-season.

Then you come into this season and have, You know, a long year.

And so, just to get a little time to breathe.

Will be nice.

But, um, silver lining, you know.

I look, again, I probably sound repetitive, but the silver lining is I feel Very blessed that when I look back on my career, I was a part of this team.

A great locker room, great staff, great leadership, a bunch of guys who just do it.

Right way.

You know, it was nothing, nothing said.

There wasn't an "aha!"

moment that made us realize we could be special.

It was just the guys that collectively committed to each other every day.

And, uh, it was, it's fun to be a part.

You can't draw a straight line from one.

Season to the next?

What do you think you guys were able to accomplish this?

Year, how does it position you and set you up moving forward?

Well, I think we'll get some guys back, which will be huge.

Obviously.

Um, goes without saying.

And then you get a lot of young guys, and a lot of guys who, You know, were backups, who played a lot of meaningful snaps.

And I always say the best way to learn football is experience.

It's to play.

It's to play meaningful snaps in meaningful games, and, uh, we had a lot of guys do that this year.

And so, from a depth perspective, when we get some guys back healthy, You know, you have guys who know what it's like to play in a game.

Who know what it's like to prepare during the week, and I think that's valuable.

Christian, in 48 hours, you walk off the field; your season ends.

And now you're going to walk out of here and officially close.

Saying goodbye to some guys.

What are those emotions like in the last of days as you head into the offseason?

Uh, it's always weird, man.

It's, it's weird because, You know, whether you know somebody on a personal level or not.

You're family.

You guys, you go through so much, from OTAs until now with each other, and you work so hard.

And I think that's why football is the best sport on the planet.

You know, you truly have a group of collective, you know.

Men who sacrifice so much time and effort to collectively get a goal.

And then it just ends, and you go your separate ways.

And so it's always a little bit weird in that sense.

But, um, and I don't think we say it enough.

And I know when I was younger, when seasons ended, I would always, You know, be ready for the next one.

Like, "Oh, I've got to get better."

And I don't know if I appreciated the guys I was with enough.

And so this year, I feel like I did a better job of expressing gratitude to.

To all the guys in the locker room that made the season special, and and did stuff the right way.

And that was, uh, Just, again, fun to be a part of, and I'm appreciative of these guys.

You won theyou won the, Christian, you won the Eschmeyer and Walsh Award.

The players and the coaches vote.

When did you find out?

And what's your reaction to getting both of them?

Uh, I found out today.

Um, you know, it's, Again, anytime you're honored by your peers, it's, uh...

I take it very seriously, and it's a huge honor.

Um, and, Uh, yeah, I mean, I, I don't, you know... Again, I, I didn't do anything special other than be myself, and again.

Just appreciative to be a part of a team that's encouraging and inspiring to me.

Every single day, but it's a great award that I'm honored to receive.

And, um, yep.

Great, thank you.

Last one, guys.

In football history, it's generally not a great.

Idea for a running back to keep getting 400 touches.

I mean, I know you want to be on the field, and do that.

But as you turn 30 and work through the rest of your career, Would it be beneficial to have someone who can have more of a timeshare with you?

And at least take some of the load off you?

Um, you know, I always think load management.

Happens during the week.

You know, you've got to be ready to play in the games as much as possible, and they did such a good job this year of limiting You know, um, last straw!

Not giving me more than I could handle.

Essentially.

Um, that's a coach's decision.

Not mine.

You know, I'll do whatever it takes for this team.

If I get five touches a game, if I get 25 touches, it doesn't matter to me, man.

I just want to play and win football games.

And whatever they have me do, I'll do.

Um, but I love playing football.

I love when the ball is in my hands.

I love competing.

Um, I'll always be that way.

But again, if they want to bring someone in, I'm all for it.

I think having more guys that can, You know, help us win football games is never a bad idea.

I'm sure they'll probably, hopefully, want a guy that wants the ball.

And to play, too.

Mm-hmm.

I think a high tide raises all ships.

And that's what it takes to win games as a team.

So again, Just that's, that's their decision.

My feet again.

Good to be back walking and moving around.

DP.

Michael, how have the last few months for you emotionally, as you dealt with all of this?

Emotionally?

I'm not going to lie, it's been hard.

It's been hard dealing with something of this significance.

Probably the biggest injury I ever had, and then, um, Just the timetable that it takes, and then missing all the important games that I'm missing, and then just the events that I'm missing with the guys out there.

It would've been nice to be able, you know.

Be a part of it.

Michael, how were you able to kind of Just process the games that you did play, and what, What did you learn from it?

What did you take into next year?

Um, basically, I processed it kind of like how I've been processing in the past.

Like, just breaking down the film and taking out my good things from it.

The side, taking out my bad things, and putting them up front.

And focusing on the bad things to try to eliminate those.

What did you see?

What do you want to work on?

Uh, like pad level.

Like, it's like little technique.

Things like pad level, sometimes hand placement, sometimes my step's too wide.

Not on my line, like things like that.

How much is recovering with Nick Bosa?

On the way back?

Oh, man, it helped me a lot.

Man, Bosa's been extremely helpful.

He's like a real big brother.

Like, uh, he looks out, he comes in, checks on me, sits down.

Eat lunch with me, talk to me, just ask me about my knee.

Ask me how I'm feeling, like how I'm at in the process.

Are you taking tips from him on coming back from it?

Oh yeah, of course.

Mm-hmm.

Like, I'd be feeling more comfortable, like, leaning on him and asking for stuff, versus like, Like a lot of other people, I just come to Bosa and lean on him.

Ask him, 'cause he's been through it.

He knows exactly what it felt like.

And where you're at, and where, you know, how to, How to move.

Push harder on you, push you to ask what dealing with.

Mike, you get to spend a short time with, You know, Robert Saleh.

He may not be here next season.

Anything you learned from just being with a guy like Saleh this year?

Yeah, man, Saleh definitely has made my knowledge of the game grow more.

Uh, just the way he breaks down the game in the meetings and, and tell us different tendencies and different things to look for in offenses.

So, I definitely took some things from Saleh.

I hope he's here.

Mm-hmm.

...

But if he's not, it's the nature of The beast.

Part of the game.

What's the... Oh, sorry.

So, does that answer your question?

What's the mindset now in the season here?

The team, as well as for you?

Oh, uh, personally, Me personally, first, I'm just thinking about it.

Recovery.

Like, uh, like I really kind of feel like, I was about to get comfortable and hit my stride, and And, uh, my injury happened.

So, uh, I'm just focusing on getting back to that point and getting back to playing on Field.

That's all I'm really thinking about.

And then for the team, what was the rest of the question?

Just in terms of the collective feeling, how you guys are dealing with all this.

Oh, man, it's never a good feeling to lose.

But, yeah... Once you make it to the point we made it in with the circum- damn, excuse me, with the circumstances that we had.

Mm-hmm.

It's like, you can't be mad, but it's also not, you're never happy to lose.

You understand what I'm saying?

Yeah.

Like, we didn't hit our end goal.

Mm-hmm.

But we're not just disappointed with what we got because of the hard work it took.

Here.

You'll be ready for training camp?

Uh, yeah, I should be.

That's like on the timeline.

Yeah.

That's like, I should be ready, right?

Around then, but you know, who's to say?

Yep.

What was the most difficult part?

Process for you?

Um, just not being healthy and not being able to play.

And, like, uh, man, it really got to me, Like, a couple times, just sitting at home, watching the game go on.

And it'll be something that happened I feel like I could have made an impact.

Or something happened where, you know, just how the game is sometimes.

And I just, just wanna be out there.

Mm-hmm.

Sorry.

Okay.

Who'd you lean on most through that process?

Maybe family?

Yeah... Maybe teammates.

Who was that?

Uh, my family was big.

My family was big for me during this whole, like, process.

Like my dad, my mom, all my sisters.

Came down and came and, uh, spoke with me.

Then I leaned on the guys here, like Fred.

I leaned on Fred and Nick.

They were in the training room with me.

And, and PT, Patrick Taylor.

Mm-hmm.

So I just, them guys just helped me.

Floating to stay positive.

When you're looking to improve your game one for Michael... Do you look at more of what pass rushing We're gonna do Fred here as well, you guys.

What pass-rushing techniques you could do to get better?

Or is it a run game?

I know you've gotta do both, But, yeah...

The pass rush obviously seems like a mindset.

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

But, uh, yeah, I'm gonna cross that bridge when I get there.

But right now, the most important The main thing for me right now is just trying to get back running and, and get back on my feet and recover.

But when I can train, Pass rushing is definitely going to be something I work on.

And you were out there.

You came down from the suite to the sidelines to see how much you could help your team in that last, you know, match against TC?

To see how... What was that like for you?

And, you know, what was that for you to come down there?

Yeah, I mean, it was... You know, the plan all along was to Win that game, and... Have an opportunity to play in the following game, so I was going to try and do whatever was best for me in that situation.

To be available and ready to train the following day.

And so they said the box was the best situation for that.

And then, obviously, the game didn't start out the way we wanted it to.

And I said, "I could've watched the game from my TV at home."

So, I didn't want to not get involved, and that's why I went down there.

To try to help out and just let the guys know it was a poor quarter ball game.

When you do take the field next year, do you think you'll have a different view?

Just based on what you had to go through this year?

Yeah, of course.

I mean, it, itI feel like this, This year was taken away from me, right?

I didn't.

I didn't get to help my team accomplish what we set out to do.

And, um, you know, it, it truly feels like it, you know, I was... Something was taken from me.

But I did gain so much in terms of what I did learn.

You know, and just overall as a human being, and, uh, Taking away what happened to me and growing from that.

And so I'll obviously take all that with me going forward.

How disappointed were you that you were ruled out for this game?

And were you surprised that you were ruled out for this game?

No, I mean, the plan all along was to be ready for the NFC Championship game.

Of course, I was pushing as hard as I could to get back as early as I could.

But at the end of the day, I had to make sure I was doing things safely.

Um, and, and, uh, so yeah, that was how it all went down.

What is the most important thing you learned through this process?

Um, that I'm not invincible.

And I think before this happened, I truly had the feeling that, Uh, nothing bad could happen to me.

I, I'd been so blessed with, like, great health through, you know, eight years, seven, eight years and had missed one game with a hamstring pull.

And, uh, you know, this was something significant that finally happened to me where, You know, it wasn't anything that was really in my control.

I just... A fluke injury that took my season away, so I think it gives me much more.

Gratitude going forward, just really soaking up each moment, not taking a single day for granted.

But, given everything that happened with the Off-season roster reset, all the injuries, everything this year.

Just how do you feel about where this team is positioned moving forward?

Uh, given what it accomplished?

Yeah, I think it's positioned as well as it could be.

Right?

I think everybody going into this year of our building was talking about how we had no chance to compete for anything.

Uh, you know, there was a lot of turnover, a lot of turnover from the year before.

Bunch of guys, but, uh, you know, that's what this league is.

Man.

You lose guys, you replenish through the draft and through free agency.

Then you go again.

Right?

And try to give yourself the best chance to win a championship at the end of it.

Fred, how hard is today, considering the finality of this?

You're boxing your stuff up.

You guys, these guys, for eight months.

Um, and it's not the same team next year, so just today.

Your emotion of doing all this.

Yeah, it's always difficult.

Um, you know, it, It sucks that, unfortunately, it does get easier over time, 'cause you see it And it just becomes your new reality in this league after.

After going through it eight, eight times now.

But, uh, It doesn't make it easier when you do.

You know, you have to see guys go, and saying goodbyes to guys that most likely won't be back.

And, um, you know, that's just this league.

Though, right?

There's a bunch of turnover every year.

People think some years are more than others, but it's truly every year where Losing a bunch of guys.

Is it harder this year, knowing you just Ended a game too soon for you?

I mean, I ended a lot of games too soon.

You know, I felt like, like I said, I was fully expecting to.

To be healthy and available all year long.

So, when I went down, What?

Week six, it felt like I missed so much time this year that I wasn't able to help my team.

Uh, accomplish their goals.

So, yeah, of course.

I wanted to try to get back for that last game, but hey.

Everything happens for a reason.

Are you gonna have a follow-up procedure?

Anything?

Some guys have to have that screw taken out.

I mean, what's next for you as far as the ankle?

Yeah, no, everything is business as usual.

No extra surgeries are needed.

Um, I think my rehab had gotten super accelerated to make the NFC Championship.

Game.

So now I just get to slow things down.

And really just work on all the little things that, I didn't get to work on before, before all this.

Happened.

So yeah, it's just business as usual.

Did you feel any different when you were practicing last week?

I mean, could you tell that maybe, you know, the muscles around it weren't the way they usually are?

I mean, did you, did you feel...

I guess?

How far away did you feel from 100% when you were?

When you were practicing?

No, I think it was all positive feelings.

If anything, I think I gained a ton of confidence Being back out there and really truly feeling like myself.

I fully could've felt like I could have played in the game just based off That feeling alone that I had being out there that day in practice.

Which gives me the ultimate confidence going forward into my offseason to attack.

It as hard as I can because I'm, there are no limitations.

It's just getting right back into it, to be even better than I was before.

Hurt.

Fred, it seems like a decent chance Robert Saleh could be a head coach again.

If that does happen, How much would that suck?

It would suck a lot.

It would suck a lot, so...

But, uh, you know, of course, I always think about Saleh.

The man and the relationship that we have, and of course, I want him to have that opportunity again.

But selfishly, of course, I want him to stay here as well.

And, uh, have a chance at going and winning this thing next season.

But we'll see.

Time will tell.

What's it like watching Dre, Dre, and Huff now with the Broncos moving on?

And they might be back here in a couple weeks?

Yeah, man, I mean, of course I'm happy.

I'm happy for, For my guys to, you know, be out there having the success that they're having.

And we'll see what happens with their team.

But of course, I wish they were still playing for us, making plays for us.

But those are my guys at the end of the day.

What have you learned about Gus Bradley this year?

Uh, that he's the original storyteller, uh, you know.

You, you... For years, I heard Saleh telling those same stories.

Even DeMeco kind of adopted those when he was, When he was a DC here.

And then to have Gus come in and start the stories, I'm like, "Oh, okay, now you truly see where that" where those stories originated from.

But, um, Yeah, I mean, just great positive energy to have around the building.

Man, and just been doing it for such a long time.

And just a great piece for us to have.

How's everything going since the surgery?

What's the process been like for you?

For Claire?

I know you guys are kinda winging this.

What's your mental state like?

Just how are you?

Oh, that was like four questions in one.

It was.

Yeah.

Jeez Louise.

Overall, I'm fantastic.

Surgery went really well.

Really good.

Surgeon was incredibly happy with it.

Um, a little background into it: He said best-case scenario when you tear an Achilles You tear it up high by your soleus, which is what I did.

I had a clean tear.

They didn't have to drill into my heel.

Um, and where the repair was is where there's, Uh, more blood flow, and so it takes some time off of the recovery time.

So he's very excited about, you know, everything, my recovery.

When I'll be running, when I'll be ready to, you know.

Go play again.

He's very excited about it, so that You know, puts me in a really good mood.

It's not as bad as the other one.

So, just excited about that.

Is there a timeline on that?

Um, when do you think you might be practicing, or I'll keep it a surprise?

You guys can find out later.

Okay.

Will, will you take us back to the injury?

The trainer said they knew before the cart came out, it was torn.

What, what was... What did you feel, and when did you know immediately?

You know, exactly when it happened, it felt like someone.

Uh, put a shotgun up against my calf and pulled the trigger.

Mm.

Um, just kind of what it...

The second it happened, I knew exactly what it was.

Um, a Philadelphia trainer came down, a very nice guy.

He's like, "Hey, you need... What do you need?"

I was like, I need a cart.

I'm not gonna be able to walk this one off.

Um, And then it just is what it is, you know, Unfortunate, but football's tough sometimes.

How frustrating was it for this to happen right before or during the game?

And you missed the rest of the playoffs when you were trying to make a push?

Um, I mean, obviously incredibly frustrating.

I don't like missing football games.

Um, that's a nice Extendo Stick you got there.

It's like a selfie stick.

It's upsetting.

You know.

Fortunately, I missed six quarters of football, so like, It's not like I missed an entire season or anything like that.

And, like I said, it could have been worse.

And I could be dealing with a bunch of other issues right now.

But I'm not.

It's a pretty straightforward recovery excited about.

George: A couple years ago, um, You know, Dre, uh, Drake said Greenwood was dealing with some Achilles issues.

And then a couple months after that, he tore.

Mm-hmm.

His Achilles.

Did you have anything that sort of Um, foreshadowed, um, your injury?

No, I don't think so.

Like, I didn't have any Achilles pain.

I would say my only guess would be, like, you know.

I had a pretty weird ankle injury on my left side, and that could have been some Overcompensation.

I don't know.

I know I do everything in my...

I do everything I can to... Like, be as balanced as I possibly can, so I'm not overcompensating.

But, you know, sometimes your body just gives.

George, Jed, you mentioned Jed supported you, and he did.

You have a feeling about that.

Did you guys have any dialogue in the locker?

Room, and what was that experience like with him?

I made it to the training room, and You know, obviously not in a great mood.

They were taking off all my tape, doing the test, and literally the next person to say something to me was Jed.

He was the first person in the locker room besides the athletic trainers and us.

And our team doctor.

He just felt really bad for me.

You know, said he was here for me and asked me what I needed.

And, you know, getting his support was absolutely fantastic.

You know, just the fact that the team owner comes down to, You know, come, you know, give his condolences to you and just, Like, saying he's there for you just really means, like, What kind of place this is, and the people that are in this building.

And it makes me really happy to be a Niner.

Grateful for all the public response you're getting a lot of concern and well wishes?

Uh, yeah, I mean, the support has been fantastic.

I've, you know, heard from a ton of people.

You know, Whether it's like... Richard Sherman and Kirk Cousins reached out immediately after I got hurt, you know.

Just said, "If I have any questions, hit them up."

I've had so many players hit me up, uh, basketball players.

Like, so many guys just, "Hey, what do you need?

Let us know."

Like, this helped; this worked for me in my recovery.

This is the surgery that I did."

So it's kind of cool to bounce some ideas around.

Some other people, and just the outpouring of love has been fantastic.

And has definitely raised my spirits.

Who were you?

When you're a retired player Road.

Yeah, what are you gonna think back about this team?

What's special about this team?

Oh, just, I don't know, like, every...

I think, well, Like, when you...

Uh, Kyle said it best, you know.

It sucks at the end of the year for everybody who doesn't win.

You know, no matter what.

Like, it sucks for everybody.

Regardless of the ending.

But what's cool about this team and Like, what I think a lot of other teams might say is, Like, "Oh, we have a gritty team, you know.

We don't blink."

We don't do this.

The amount of guys that played this year are all over the ball.

Whether it was offense, defense, special teams, whoever it was.

Like, the guys who took advantage of their opportunities and played high level.

That is like playing gritty and playing without blinking.

Like, just show up, do your job, and you don't even know what your job is.

And you're still doing it.

I just have, like, So much respect for this team and the grind that they went through.

Especially when you're missing so many vocal leaders.

You're missing key players, and, um, guys just stepped up and made plays.

George, how much tequila did you drink?

How much?

Yes.

My first response to that is, can I get Jed York fined, Pete?

Yeah.

That's a question.

Can I get Jed fined by talking about tequila?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, stop.

Yep, it happened.

Had a great time.

Were you glad to have him?

No.

No?

No, no, no, no, no.

It was not that...

I, you know, I did have both my parents and my My wife was there, so I wasn't alone.

The guy, I had supporters.

The guy said that you, You gave a pretty impassioned speech at halftime.

Do you remember what you said exactly?

Let's f- let's flip and go.

Beat the Eagles.

I don't know.

I mean, I was on crutches, shirtless, um, with some good silly juice.

You know, feeling good about myself.

So, no.

Just wanted to let the boys know that I wasn't dead.

Okay.

George, you were talking.

About the guys playing this year.

Mm-hmm.

And the experience you've gained.

How well-positioned do you think this team is?

Based on this year, moving forward?

Well, from what I heard, this was a rebuilding year.

That's what I heard, and, you know, obviously, Our offense was still very talented, and so I think I said it since training camp & OTAs.

That we'd go as far as our offense took us, and I think that's what the season Uh, how the season went.

Um, and so, I think our offense still has a lot of its key foundational players in it, and I think the coolest thing is Our defense had so many young guys get the opportunity to play.

That they all got so much better.

Like, if you look at Alfred Collins and CJ West and Upton Stout in their first start, you'd probably be like: "Holy cow!"

Are these guys going to play?

Are these guys going to be that good?

And by the end of the year, they're all making huge plays and, Playing with consistency and knowing what it takes to play at a high level.

And also, when you go into the playoffs as, like, underdogs, And you know, you win a game, you have these young guys that are making plays, Like, that just gives them confidence going into the offseason.

So, I think our young core took a huge step forward.

And I think if you match that with our vets that we still have, that are still really talented football players, you know.

I think we got a, you know, recipe for success, George.

Come on.

Guys... Who loves football as much as you do?

And go through rehab.

How much do you think some- Re-energize your passion for the game, to get back on the field and win.

And playing?

It doesn't take a lot for me to be play football, because it's my favorite thing ever.

Besides my wife and my family.

Um, but like, Anytime that you're taken away from it, it just makes you want to get right back out.

There, and that's all you want to do.

So, I'm very ready.

I'm very excited to attack this.

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to sweat or do Anything for another seven days, and so I'm bored out of my damn mind.

Um, but hey, you know, I got video games for that.

And my wife to entertain me.

And I got my friends, so it'll be like, but as soon as Uh, the 26th comes, I'll be out of it, and I get to.

You know, be aggressive with my rehab, so I'm excited about it.

What do the funny pictures of Andy Shanahan entail?

No idea.

I don't know what you're talking about.

They were a big help this year, you know.

Like, They showed up in big games, made plays.

You know.

They play very dominant, especially up and stout.

You know, I've got to give them credit, because me, You know, playing the nickel position, I know how hard it is when you're having You know, a run assignment and a pass assignment.

So, just knowing what he had to go through, you know, Every snap, so, you know, I just take my hat off to him.

What about this?

You had a few days to reflect, and, you know, Take in the loss, but also understand that this season you went pretty far.

Second, third, and fourth-hand guys.

Does that kind of help you understand?

This was a pretty productive season, at the end of the day.

Yeah, for sure.

Um, it just let me know, you know, What type of character we got on this team, you know, with guys in spots.

You know, they never played before, just coming to learn.

Um, so, guys, we're signing off the street, just picking up the playbook.

And just, you know, playing big games, and just, you know.

Knowing they didn't have a lot of starts, but, you know.

That they showed up in, you know, the biggest moments.

In your first year as a captain, what did you learn about yourself and, and leadership, as you had to do that for so many young guys?

Uh, really that I have a voice on this team.

You know, I didn't know a lot of guys respected my word.

You know, until I spoke to the team, I want to say Chicago game.

You know, a lot of guys were telling me after I had spoken, You know, they, like, they love my speech and stuff.

So, uh, yeah, that was probably the biggest thing.

Guys who've reached your level of play have a lot of... Um... Are self-critical a lot of times on their own.

Game, like, "I gotta do better at this."

When you look back at it, At your season, what do you want to do more?

Are you, Like, are you surprised?

Like, can you believe you made it through the whole Interception?

Uh, I had two interceptions.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I screwed that up.

Yeah, um, yeah, uh, I was sticking to the defense as a whole.

But yeah, just taking the ball away more, You know, yeah.

Just whether, I mean, I'm not getting targets, so, uh, just.

Mm-hmm...

Affecting the run game.

You know, like getting strips and, um, you know, fumble recoveries.

Yeah.

You know, just affecting the game in, a different way.

Yeah.

I, I would say that would probably be my biggest thing.

Mm-hmm.

About this season.

Cause you did a lot of good things without getting a lot of takeaways.

If you add takeaways to what you're already doing, does that make you good?

Yeah, I definitely think it's gonna make us more elite.

You know, as a defense, we're creating more turnovers.

Um, as a whole, I think just as a secondary, Us, like, just playing the ball more, you know?

Mm-hmm.

Just having that confidence, you know, being put in those positions and just.

You know, growing that confidence with just attacking the ball.

I know it's a long time ago, over four months ago, but the, At the start of this season, before you lost Nick, before you lost Fred, Especially that first game against Seattle, the defense was really good.

Does that kind of give you fuel heading into this offseason?

Knowing you're gonna get these guys back?

Oh, yeah, for sure.

Um, just looking at the whole season, You know, just getting this far, you know, without those guys.

You know, it just fueled me up more for next year.

What did you learn about Kyle Shanahan this year as a coach?

Is this possibly his best year with you?

Do you feel that way?

Oh, yeah, for sure.

Um, with just how he was, You know, just so efficient and just able to, you know.

Have guys, put guys in plays, make guys make plays, then put them in.

Position, you know, to get open.

I think he's one of the best to do it.

You posted, he kinda talked... On Instagram that you want everyone to leave.

Robert Saleh alone.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

Having a guy like Saleh, you know, he was so energetic.

Coming off when we first met him.

Just playing for him, You know, it was a blessing, just to learn how.

Like, he's really a defensive mastermind, you know.

Uh, despite what we had going, like us losing games or, You know, the last game, I think he's still one of the best to do it.

Just me being in the NFL.

What do you think about Gus Bradley?

Uh, Gus was great.

Um, Gus helped us a lot.

You know, just figuring out stuff in the strike zone areas.

You know, he was in charge of the red zone and stuff.

Um, he just had so much knowledge for us.

Do a couple more.

What's the hardest part about today?

When you guys are packing up, and this officially closes this particular season?

Uh, just all the relationships, you know, built.

You never know.

Like, who's going to be here or who's not, you know?

Uh, that was probably the hardest thing for me.

What would you say was the most significant relationship you grew this year?

Especially if that's a rookie, maybe Stout, maybe someone else.

But what relationship do you think is most significant for you?

I kind of got closer to the whole DB room, I would say.

You know, the year before, we really didn't know each other.

Like, we knew each other, and we were playing hard for each other.

But I feel like our relationship got much tighter this year.

We started doing more team-bonding stuff.

Mm-hmm.

When you drive in here and look around, And you see all the stuff that's going on with this stadium, Does it kind of gnaw at you a little bit, like, "Man, we want to be there"?

Yeah, just driving in this morning, I was seeing, like, The Super Bowl signs, yeah... On the TVs.

And it, it hurt, you know, 'cause this whole season I was telling myself, Like, "You know, if we have... We're hosting the Super Bowl."

You know, we have to be there," so yeah, it, it hurts.

Not too great.

It's like a feeling in my stomach that's not just not too great.

Your coach Shanahan called you the ultimate competitor.

Obviously, the last game wasn't the easiest.

Game.

But when you reflect on how much you guys got over, or the The hoops you had to climb this season, does it make you feel like this was a Productive season at the end of the day?

Uh, I don't know.

I think I'm the one to ask that.

I don't really have an opinion on it.

I just don't feel too good about it.

Do you hope you'll be back here next year?

We'll see.

If you want to take, if they put a franchise tag on you, Would you be cool with that?

I'd have to talk to my guy.

Drew, to see what that is all about.

Jauan, what are the things that are going to be most important to you?

Going into free agency for the first time?

I'd say health first.

Number one, as mental and physical, and then, Just being grateful.

For a guy who's worked so hard to, You know, put up big numbers, to now have the ability to be a free agent.

For the first time, what is that like?

It's the first time, like you said.

First time.

Just, hey, we'll see.

We'll see what it's like.

When you go into the offseason, do you think more about what happened this year or What's going to happen going forward in you and your career?

You know, just being in the game too long, you know.

There's nothing you can do about it, so just heal up and get better.

Where are you, health-wise, at this point?

Um, I would say we made it through the season.

JJ, obviously, how difficult was it, JJ, to get through the season?

Given all you had to endure health-wise?

Hey, you've got to put your head to it.

That's one thing for sure, two things for certain.

Wherever you put your head, you know, and so you can, You can, you can get it done.

JJ, obviously, When it comes to football, you seem like your emotions run deep with the game.

Love playing.

Uh-huh.

After a season like this, Do you have to take a second to calm your mind?

Sit for a second, reflect on everything before you get back going.

Or what is that like for you?

Do you jump right back in it?

Uh, for me, for JJ, I'm a big spa guy, so a lot of steam.

A lot of clarity, and we get back into it.

Uh, probably in no time.

When you look through the season, was there a turning point where it could've gone south?

And instead, it went back the way it was supposed to go after maybe that Fred's injury?

You guys had that 16-winning streak in there.

What point in the season do you feel propelled you to the playoffs?

Uh, I would say just...

I think it started back in OTAs.

Um, just coming into the season, knowing exactly what we wanted as a team.

It started a long time ago.

There's obviously uncertainty, But what has your time here meant to you?

It means everything.

Um, there's nothing like Santa Clara.

Um, first flew in here, I was thinking, uh, I was going to San Francisco.

... Just like everybody else, and you find out Fast, it's, uh, it's Santa Clara.

And, uh, always, uh, now it's home.

It's, it, It quickly turned into home, and it's a run I'll never forget.

For sure.

Jauan, if everything being equal, say, As far as money and everything, is your preference to stay here with the 49ers?

Uh, my preference is to play football, so you won't see me in.

In any NBA trials or any MLB or any soccer events.

Uh, just play football.

I'll be training, and, I'll let Drew call me with any news.

Uh, we'll go from there.

Seems like it's hitting you pretty, pretty heavy right now.

Oh, yeah, always.

You know, she just asked me about You know, basically, my third home.

Yeah, so.

You know, it's, uh... Got Knoxville, and now we, We added Santa Clara.

What's your favorite memory of your journey here in?

In Santa Clara?

My favorite memory would be, uh, Seeing the confetti when we, um, won, when we won here at.

Levi's.

What is your desire for your future in this league, and if teams call about You?

Yeah, I think this year is just awesome.

For me to be around these guys and the coaches, players, everybody.

It was just so fun to get, as I say, the train back on the tracks.

And that's what I wanted to do, so I put a lot of good film out there.

In a way, I had two seasons in one.

I had a season as a starter, kind of, and a season as a backup, so it was really good for me.

Um, had a lot of fun and excited for what's next, and I don't know.

Like you said, I'm on a two-year deal, but I do believe I'm a starter in this league.

And I'm excited to keep getting better this offseason and see what happens.

Matt, to just follow up on that, you had an interesting journey up to this point.

And then you become a starter, kind of out of nowhere, with a turf toe injury.

And you lead this team to so many wins, then you look like you're having fun!

Time.

Yeah.

You're going down, you're popping back up.

Now that you have time to reflect on it, how much fun did you have this season?

Number one, but then two, did it change the perspective of yourself?

Within yourself, of the football player you can be in this league?

No, that's a great question, and I think when I signed here and talking to Kyle, That was part of the goal: to just get back on track.

Have fun, get around winners again, and I feel like that's helped me so much.

Everybody here, and it was exciting this year.

I felt like every time I came to work, it wasn't work.

It was, "We're having fun," in the quarterback room.

In the offensive meetings, on the practice field, and that just carried over to the games.

And for me to have back-to-back years where I Playing eight games was awesome for me.

Uh, I feel like that's just, As a backup, sometimes you don't know when your time's gonna be.

So, I'm really excited for that opportunity that I had.

And I feel like...

There wasn't a lot of drop-off.

And the guys had a lot of fun when we were out there.

And that's something a standard that Brock set since he's been here.

And for me to learn from him, And Kyle, and Mick, and Clay, and the list goes on.

So, I really just got a PhD in football this year, and I want to keep getting better.

It's just been a fun year.

What's the biggest thing you've learned?

Your playing with this team?

Um, really just about culture and, Them allowing me to be myself.

It's been a big challenge for me.

Just had a couple rough years or whatever, and just getting it back on track.

Like your question, and I feel like I just got to show my personality and.

To be around guys like George Kittle.

You know, A guy that I've always watched and wanted to play next to.

Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Fred.

And it was just so, like...

It was dreamlike.

Honestly.

And it was just a lot of fun to, to learn from those guys and the system that they run here.

The offensive system, the defensive system, learning about that.

Even special teams.

I learned so much from Kyle, And I'm excited to just keep growing and really just keep learning.

We see a version of Brock that's a pretty straight-arrow kind of guy.

What will you tell guys who ask, "What's he like behind closed doors?"

Oh, he's the man.

I feel like we had the best time.

And I joke, I'm kind of glad Hard Knocks wasn't in there because we, We have just such a good time.

Like, the first 10 minutes of our meeting is Just joking around, talking about the current events around the world.

Like, I don't know.

It's just fun, and Brock's always gonna be himself, and I feel like he had a lot of fun this year when he, When he got a chance to get back in and battle the injury and, Um, played really well.

We both played super efficiently this year.

Um, and that's something the stats show, and I feel like the team, We just rallied around Brock and everybody that played.

Like, that was multiple people who had to step up and.

Um...

But he's been awesome, and nothing that I didn't know already.

Well, you...

It's out of your control, but if the 49ers were to say, No way we're losing this guy.

He saved us.

He won five games for us.

And we could need him again.

Yeah.

Would that, Would that be okay with you?

Yeah, I mean, That's, that's why I came here.

Um, knowing that I wanted to be around Kyle and Such a great system, and knowing that it was a good fit.

Fit for me.

Um, so yeah, I know that's part of it, And I think for me, the challenge is to keep getting better this offseason.

Whatever happens, happens.

And, um, I love the guys here.

And that'll be fine.

I think a lot of people will think of The Rams game, when they think of Mac Jones in the 2025 season.

Yeah.

Is that the game you think of, too?

And looking back on it, you know, how difficult was that game?

And how fulfilling was it to come out with a win?

Yeah, no, that was definitely a great experience going against.

I mean, at this point, one of the top teams in the league.

And at the time, they were at the top of the league as well.

So, I have a lot of respect for those guys, and um.

It was good.

It was a good experience for me on a short week.

Um, and I had a few... You know, it was good to have a few starts in my belt.

Yeah, it was fun, and I went out there and competed.

And I think I showed my personality in a maybe different way.

Like, I'm gonna go out there, let it rip, and get up from hits.

And celebrate with my teammates, and try and score touchdowns.

So that's my job.

And, you know, as a backup, when I was in, That's what I did.

So that's all you can ask for.

It's been a surprise...

In New England.

Yeah.

Um, what was he like?

And just, obviously, a big stage now.

He's gonna be throwing on how you can handle.

Yeah.

No, I texted him, and he got back to me quick, so we got a great relationship, and, um, yeah, when I was a rookie, He was there as one of the backups and did a great job helping me get ready for games, and just a great guy, a great teammate, and it'll be really interesting.

He's going back against the Patriots, so good for him.

And I'm excited to watch it.

He's been working for this moment.

So, I'm excited for him.

What's the biggest thing that surprised you?

About Kyle Shanahan?

Um, I mean, I knew he was funny, But he, he's pretty witty.

Like, he's just very, Like, in tune with everything, and his jokes and everything in team meetings just flow so Well, and I don't know.

I thought maybe he was a little bit more serious, but he's definitely, uh, laid back and funny and.

Just one of the guys, honestly, and that's what you want.

When you're a quarterback, your play caller, he's just one of the guys.

You know that you can go out there and let it.

And let it rip, really.

This team's been here a lot within that window.

Getting close, and you're here this first year.

How emotional is it for guys when You know, visible, almost tears, Kyle and Trent, and guys that are so close?

How hard is it to climb for these guys?

Oh, yeah.

I mean, some of those, some of the older players, or whatever you want to call them, Hall of Fame players, really, is what they are on this team.

Have been around the league, played for different teams, and come here excelled.

And just for me to watch them this year has been amazing, and playing with them has been so fun.

So, yeah, it's tough.

Anytime you're not in the championship game, Right, it's kind of like a crash landing, like everyone's kind of going down.

So, it does suck, and you have those emotions, and realize how much hard it.

And really for me, just taking the moment to be with the guys and keep hanging out.

I feel like this year, I just hang out with everybody on the team.

Like, when you just walk around the corner, You're so excited to see who that person is.

'Cause it could be a defensive guy, but you're super close with him.

Or it could be Trent Williams, and you're having a great conversation.

So, I don't know.

I just feel like that was interesting about our team.

And that's what makes it hard.

You're not going to have those moments, Um, for the rest of this year, but it also is not the end.

And a lot of us in here have bright futures.

Mac, Mac.

You mentioned a couple tough years, and a lot of people.

Just fans in general have got patience.

So, quarterback, So, you were written off, and you're a bust, and all this.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Is that your quote or somebody else's?

Well, yeah.

Probably both.

This is what I heard in the street, Mac.

No, we're good.

I'm just kidding.

But I mean, I'm sure you're human.

And, yeah, I am... You have some doubts, but not that you're saying, "I'm a bust, and I suck," right?

But I mean, What point?

No, I know what you're saying.

Did it take?

Like... Was it like, "Okay, OTAs, I'm in a good system, I'm good, I'm gonna be okay," or did it actually take playing in games for you?

...

Establish that confidence?

No, no, I appreciate that question.

And yeah, I think about it a lot because Came in, to be honest, I played pretty well as a rookie and had flashes the next years and was in different circumstances.

And I worked on a lot of things that I felt like I could get better at, and I feel like this year kind of showed a bit.

So, all the work I've been putting in, and really just believing in myself.

And some of that has to do with the guys in here.

And I feel like they helped me get my swag back and... At the end of the day, it's up to you to keep your swag.

Right?

But to have Trent and everybody just backing me every day from OTAs when I first got here.

I feel like people had their, not opinions about me.

But maybe some people didn't know me, or haven't played with me before.

And I just showed who I am, and I think they enjoyed playing with me.

And I enjoyed playing with them.

So that's, That's all you can ask.

And at the end of the day, You want to win every one you can.

But we had a lot of fun doing it.

And I feel like I got the train back on track.

Let me ask it this way: Did Did you ever feel like you lost your confidence?

Um, not really.

I think, honestly, it's all circumstantial.

Um, it's ebbs and flows in this game, so it's not gonna be perfect.

But you just have to have the confidence that you can get it back.

And, um, that's how sports are.

Like, that's why it's such a good teacher in Life and everything.

Like, you're gonna get knocked down, But you've got to get back up.

So, yeah, this year definitely helped.

Being around like-minded guys and coaches that have been through a lot themselves with the swag, play with energy, and be themselves.

So, it helped to be here this year, and that's just one.

One of the examples.

On a scale of one to 10, How much fun did you have doing the boombox walkout?

Great question.

Uh, probably 10.

Probably 10.

I felt like that was cool.

I felt like I actually saw that like, being a, you know...

Growing up in the league and stuff, I'm like, "All right," This is kind of cool, watching Deebo and everybody go out there, and be a part Of it, it was cool.

And like, I'm not gonna say I was invited, but kind of invited to the front.

So I was like, but then I started starting games, and I'm like, All right, maybe I should creep to the back a little bit here," like, Lock in.

But that's not my personality.

Like, that's the old me, and I wanted to be at the front.

And they wanted me to be there.

It was so fun to just dance and have fun with KB.

Those guys that I'veKB, a guy that I've played with, You know, for the past couple of years, it was just fun.

I think it just shows the culture and the swag that we play with.

If this is it for you as a 49er, do you wanna team back up with Brock in 2025?

Commercials?

Yeah, I mean, he does a great job on those, and I'm not a huge commercial guy.

But maybe I'll tap into it a little, and see if I get in with.

Uh, get in with him on one of them, but we'll see.

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