John Lynch, Deebo Samuel, more discuss 49ers updates ahead of 2026 NFL season
49ers' John Lynch, Raheem Morris, Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw speak to reporters at San Francisco's training camp on Saturday in Santa Clara.
John Lynch, Deebo Samuel, more discuss 49ers updates ahead of 2026 NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Hey guys, I, I, I wanted to, to give everybody a little bit of an update on, on Ricky Pearsall.
So we're gonna be placing Ricky on season-ending IR, and he's gonna go, undergo surgery on his PCL.
You know, he's gutted, we're gutted.
Really good football player, really good, really important, you know, member of our team, an impactful player.
You know, unfortunately, this PCL, which started in the, Jaguars game, which I think was September 28th, he missed about six weeks there.
Got back and played and played well, you know, dinged it a couple times during the course of the season.
You know, at the culmination of the season, as we had throughout, we consulted with, you know, multiple opinions, experts in the field, you know, over 100 years of NFL experience with the different docs.
You, you probably are very familiar with the names, along with our own doc, Tim McAdams.
The decision was made to go with, a non-operative deal.
I had a PCL myself, second or third year in the league, and, you know, that's kind of the way that things go.
You know, it's gonna be a struggle to get through that year.
You get to the off-season and most resolve themselves without surgery.
Unfortunately, Ricky's did not.
He did well throughout the off-season.
He got to the point where he ramped it up, you know, to the, the last gear right before camp, and then he came into camp and the, the rigors of camp, competition and whatnot, he swole up right away.
And again, then, we got new scans.
We consulted all the opinions with a couple more, and the consensus, led us to collectively make a decision.
The organization, along with Ricky, obviously the player, you know, has, has some say and, and it was just it-- that this thing had declared itself.
And it's unfortunate.
The great news is the rest of Ricky's knee is in great shape.
And so, you know, it's, it's anywhere from a, you know, six to 12 month, probably more on the nine, you know, you know, length of recovery.
Not what we wanted, but it's where we're at.
So just wanted to share that news with you and, you know, open to any questions there.
How is he doing?
Ricky's good.
He's obviously, you know, really, really, tough deal.
He, he worked his tail off to get back from this.
He attacked the rehab incredibly well.
Ricky's an incredibly hard worker.
You know, he's a guy who didn't miss a game in college and, and, you know, it's been a, been a tough, tough road for him since he's been in the league.
But we, we know he's got a bright future.
We're gonna get this taken care of, and he'll come back, you know, being that same player and we look forward to, for, for that time.
So how close were, were you guys to potentially having surgery as an option when it first happened?
No, it's, it's just not the way, you know, like Mac, Mac had a PCL last year.
I think they're common throughout the league and, most, as I said, you know, resolve themselves over time, and sometimes it's frustrating.
Sometimes it can be as much as nine to 12 months before they do resolve.
But isolated PCL injuries, which Richie, Ricky had, typically do, but this one just didn't.
And every, every, every case is different, every, every situation is different, and this one unfortunately just didn't resolve it.
We felt good about it, felt really good about it throughout the off-season and, into training camp, but two days in, he swole up and I think that was kind of the final straw and, collectively all these docs, the consensus led us to that.
Is, you guys bringing in Deebo Samuel- Yeah today.
Is, is this done yet?
And is this kind of- No, Deebo will be out there on the practice field today.
What I would tell you guys, we've been talking to Deebo for about a month.
Our, our hope was we added him into the mix with Ricky, with Mike Evans, you know, with Strib, with that whole Christian Kirk and that whole group.
You know, we're thrilled to have Deebo.
You know, what we envision, and we've had great communication throughout the off-season since we started to talk to Deebo.
You know, Deebo, you're gonna see him in the return game.
You're gonna see him at some receiver.
You're gonna see him at some running back.
We're gonna use him all over the field, and, we're really excited to have Deebo back.
Deebo, we have a lot of history with him.
We know the type of player he is.
He looks to be in really good shape, and so we're excited about that and, and it, it was just fun having him back in the building.
What do you think changed over the last year?
I mean, this is a guy you traded away a year ago- Yeah so you're bringing him back.
Well, sometimes those things happen.
I, I look at it very similar to Dre, you know?
You know, there is a business side to, to this game and both those guys went elsewhere.
You know, Deebo had a very successful season in, in Washington.
But, you know, we started engaging in conversations.
We know him well.
He knows us well, and so, real honest communication and it led to a deal and we're excited about it.
How does he look physique-wise, and does he look like, you know, a earlier version of- Yeah of Deebo?
Yeah.
You guys see for yourself, but he looks good.
Yeah, he looks good.
He got out there, you know, yesterday afternoon after he signed with Dustin Perry and the guys.
They moved him around.
He's in good shape, so.
How about Christian Kirk?
Christian Kirk should be coming.
He, he strained his calf on the first day and, you know, calf injuries, the timeline, it, it's usually longer, you know, because of the mechanics of, of that part of your body.
But Christian's doing well and we're excited about having Christian Kirk a part of our team.
Sean, you said you wanted, uh- Join, join, join James with injury Update timetable-ish?
No timetable, but he did fracture his rib, and we'll give that the ample time, that it needs.
Jordan came back, was really looking good.
It was, it was, you know, unfortunate deal, but, we're excited about Jordan James.
John, you said you, you wanted Deebo and Ricky.
Obviously, you don't have Ricky now.
Does that put you guys in the market for a receiver, or do you feel four or five wide receivers- I think we're good.
The collective, good question, but the collective Now, look, you're, you're, you're betting on the come on some of these guys, the Jordan Watkins, the Jacob Cowings, Christian Kirk.
We, you know, you know, I think Mike, you guys have seen Striv out there.
We're really excited about the prospects with him.
He's, he's developing really well.
So we feel good about where we're at, you know, and, and a lot of competition there.
I think, that's been a really exciting group, you know, from 1 to 11 or whatever we have in here right now.
It's, it's a, it's a good group.
It's very competitive and, and we like where we're at.
We saw Kyle out there longer than he'd been out there- Yeah to this point.
Is, is that a, an in- indication that he's, he's- Yeah making progress?
He's doing better.
He's d- he's doing better.
He addressed the team for the first time this morning as a whole, and, you know, they were excited.
He got a, he got a nice welcome and, it was good to have him up here.
You know, we'll continue to, to do kind of like a phased approach, so you know, that was one threshold.
He wanted to get up there.
He, he was cleared to do so, so we'll see where it goes from there.
He's doing well, though.
Kyle, when, when, when Dre Sorry.
So used to Kyle being out there.
Yeah.
Well, when, when Dre came back, he, he was talking about just how, how much, like, being a year apart makes him realize how much he missed it.
Did you get the, a similar sense from Deebo?
Like, you know, the, you know, grass isn't always greener, or just maybe that it is- I think so like a year- I think so, and, and, you know, that's, I think he had a good experience in Washington.
This feels like home to him, and I think Dre the, the same way.
So, you know, it's like he never left, though.
When he showed up and got out of the car yesterday, big hugs, and I think there's an excitement amongst our team, much like there was when Dre came back.
Those guys, when you, when you share a lot of sacrifice with people, when you, when you get after it for a common goal, you get very close.
And so, it's like you haven't skipped a beat and everyone welcomes, welcomes him back and, we're excited to have those guys.
They're, they're a part of us and, and the culture that we've built.
Nothing, nothing new on the Brandon Aiyuk front?
Nothing, no.
Yeah.
Is it safe to say that Deebo maybe fits your wide receiver corps better now than the receiving corps that you had a year ago?
I don't know.
I, I think Deebo, it's just, you know, I think as we started to think about it, like look, the dynamic kickoff has brought the re- kickoff return back to the game, so you gotta be really well-positioned.
Skyy Moore was, was a really good returner.
We lost Skyy to, Green Bay in free agency.
And, so on that alone we were really excited.
We think Deebo, and he's committed to doing that, we think he can be a weapon there, you know.
And in the past it's been, "Hey, Kyle, we gotta win this game.
It's the playoffs.
Put me back there."
now he's committed to kinda doing that, and it's a big They added over 1,000 returns to the league last year with the dynamic kickoff.
And so the return is part of a game, so we look forward to using him there.
But then offensively, you guys have seen him, and I think Kyle, has a great vision.
Clay, all these guys, being real creative in how we use them, and so it's, it's- Any comments on, on Paraag Marathe- Yeah leaving the team?
I do wanna Paraag's a great friend.
He was invaluable to me when we came in here 10 years ago.
He's been a huge He was part of the interview process when I came in here, along with Jed.
And, you know, I think as his demands got higher with all the interest, Paraag's got a lot going on.
And you know, it, so I think we've, we've felt that over the last few years.
Brian Hampton, Jeff Wiedmeyer, Jeff Diamond, that team is well-equipped.
You know, we've been functioning.
Paraag's spent less time here the last few years, because of leads and Rangers and everything he's got going.
But he's a valued friend.
He's a valued sounding board, and I, I think that will remain.
You know, I think he's at the forefront of a lot of things that go on in the NFL from the football business side and, and so he was tremendous, but I think we're well-equipped.
And bringing Kwesi in, who's been a general manager, has experience negotiating, he'll take on some of that, you know, in terms of the relationships.
R.J. Gillen has a great understanding of that.
So we're well-equipped to move forward, but indebted to Paraag.
He's been here 25 years.
I've only been here 10, but you know, he's been here 25 years and, and, and has had a huge imprint, on this place.
So, we're very, I know I speak for Jed, Al, Kyle, the entire organization that, that we're extremely indebted.
And he's not, like, going away.
We'll still see him and stuff, but he's, his focus will be, will be elsewhere.
John, what's your assessment of Chris Foerster and the rest of the staff, how they've had to step up over the last- Yeah week in, in Kyle's absence?
They've been tremendous.
And you know, as I said from the beginning, I felt like our leadership, the best teams I've ever been involved with, the, there's leadership throughout.
And I think the best teams I've been involved with, y- you almost, yes, you need coaches, but the team kinda could run itself.
And with guys like Fred Warner and Christian and Kyle Juszczyk and Nick Bosa, all these guys, Trent Williams, I think that's the case.
But Chris Foerster's been tremendous.
Raheem's been tremendous.
Clay, the entire staff has been tremendous.
And to the point where we've been able to allow Kyle the time to get well and do this the right way and, and, you know, I think that the plan has worked really well, and we've got a lot done in these first, first block of training camp, as we call it, and looking forward to continue.
But you gotta get better every day.
John, what, w- what's it like having Kyle standing back there with you kind of in the same- I love it.
I love it.
Yeah, I love it, and I think he likes the vantage point.
He, he really does.
But it's, it's fun.
It's, you know, it's, it's, it's uncanny, you know, the way he, and he- You know, I, I think in a lot of these occasions, more so each day, but like early on, he hadn't looked at a script and he's telling me things that are about to happen, and sure enough, here they come.
Now it helps when you help, you know, those are your plays , those are your concepts and all those.
But it's just fun.
It's engaging.
And, you know, early on I kinda, you know, would give the guy a signal, the DJ, "Hey, that music's killing them.
AC/DC, probably a little.
They'll be here Wednesday, but probably a little hard on a guy coming off something like that.
Some of the softer stuff," you know?
Like, so I'm giving signals to the- to the guy, and, and like even stuff like that, it's just getting a little better each day.
So he's, he's doing well.
You may have already answered this question, but what went into the decision to bring Deebo Samuel back?
So many things, but number one, Deebo makes us better as a football team, and we're interested in getting better, so it was finding common ground on a deal.
And, you know, like, look, Deebo, has been, you know, at times one of the better players in football.
And so was at a different stage where, you know, we, we kind of evaluated the market.
Deebo did the same.
And, you know, about a month ago we started, you know, having talks in earnest, and, and came to fruition here a couple days ago.
And, and we're thrilled to have him back, and the locker room is, You know, we, we played a lot of good football with Deebo.
He's ended up in that end zone a lot.
He's, he's had a lot of explosive plays, and we're exa- excited to have him back.
And, and as I told these guys earlier, it didn't feel like he ever left.
It, it's good to have him back.
If you could kind of reflect on your time as a player, and then speak to what it's like to be in a locker room when you bring core guys back on both sides, like bringing Greenlaw back, bringing Deebo Samuel back.
Yeah.
What does that do for a locker room?
Well, I, I just think, you know, when you, when you've had that shared sacrifice, you get to know people extremely well.
So these guys, they haven't stopped being friends, but when you have them back and they're part of us, that feels good.
You know?
It feels They all know what Deebo can do, and we know what he can do, and so, I think excitement's the right word.
Sorry, guys.
Yeah.
Recap, recap for me just with, with Ricky, uh- Yeah and it's so nice to, to have him back in, in a friendly atmosphere.
But you know, he's been one of those guys that's been a highly competitive guy in the National Football League that you gotta deal with.
No matter what the circumstance of the game is, what the situation is of the game, you gotta be aware.
He's the ultimate piece that can move around and, you have the game plan around because of his ability to run the football, his ability to line up at receiver, his ability to take, screens, his ability to do a bunch of different things on special teams, whether it be return man or whatever the case may be.
He's so versatile and, and we've used him so well in the Bay for so long, that, you know, we were kinda catching up.
Caught up yesterday, but it's always good to see him, you know, a face that's, familiar around this building, and getting him back is, is really cool.
What are your memories of, of facing him in two really kinda consequential games in- I, I- at the end of the- Let's just sum it up in this.
I, I don't know, I think it was '22, and he, he caught this pass on us that we should have picked off, and I think he took it for about 60.
And I think he was a free agent, and it played every day that summer.
And I couldn't watch ESPN for, the entire summer 'cause I'd get watching Deebo score a 60-yard touchdown on us.
So those are the biggest memories I got of him, with him making big time plays on us, and them finding ways to get him the ball in unique situations and, getting him the ball in space, and we know what he can do in space.
Raheem, the, the rookie defensive tackles, Thompson and Eason, showing power and quickness and speed and all that in the one-on-ones.
How do you see the D tackle rotation behind Osa?
Is it competitive?
You know, it is, really is.
You know, you, you gotta go even One of our guys is out right now, I mean, Halton.
You know, he started off really well.
You got C.J.
West out there.
You got a bunch of different guys.
You know, got big AC coming back, and then some, even the young guys, they've really stepped up and done some really good things.
So it's nice to see those guys getting reps, getting opportunities, seeing them have to fight through days like this, you know?
That's what the foot- That's what, the league is about.
You know, fighting through days like this, finding a way to contribute, and those guys are all finding ways to be significant contributors in that room.
And it'll all play out, you know, as we go further and further in the camp.
Raheem, what i- what is the level of concern when you're, have so few edge rushers available at the moment?
It's hard to say level of concern.
You know, you got Bosa out there, you got Ramello Wright.
You know, Mykel Williams is coming back off an injury.
You know they're gonna all come back at some point.
You know, you got K- you got Keon White out there.
You got a bunch of different guys that can give you such a presence, and then you got different people that can provide different type of rush mechanisms.
When you're talking about Fred, you're talking about Greenlaw, when you're talking about even the safety position with a guy like Tig, trying to utilize and find different ways to mix it up to get rush- you know, pressure, the things that you're able to do.
It's hard to say concern.
You know, it's, it's more for me, like, you know, the chess pieces that can move around and, and give you different tools and different things that can happen, and how you work them.
Did the film from practice capture the Trent and Bosa doing their one-on-one thing on the side?
And do you get a chance to, to watch them?
Yeah, that's their own personal thing.
You know, they, those guys, Bosa goes and gets them, he does his own work.
You know, a lot of times he pulls Trent and gets his one-on-one reps and things that he has to do, and then he goes over with Bosa and kind of helps those guys.
And, you know, when you see two vets like that working together, you kind of want to get away.
You know, like, let those guys do what they do.
That's what they're great Whatever the, the greatness that they're searching and the little intricate details that they're trying to get done over there, you know, let those guys go and do those things.
So those little private moments, I know they're right in front of you guys, so they're not that private.
But, that's the things that they do.
I kind of walk away when I see that kind of stuff.
You mentioned, Tig.
What are your impressions of him so far?
You know, Tig and a lot, a lot of the other safeties have been really impressive.
You know, they've gotten hands on the balls.
You know, having a chance to knock some passes down, do a bunch of different things as far as covering.
You know, watching these guys really gain grasp of the defense and really communicate at a very high level with Fred, you know, it's hard not to when you got those guys out there at the linebacker position doing what they do.
To be able to read, write, call, and be able to communicate with those guys is really easy.
So I'm very impressed with the guys being able to pick it up and how much they love football.
That, that's, that's the real cool part about this place.
Coach- What about- what about Deone Bucanon?
He's known to be like very- I'm sorry, say that again?
Deone Bucanon.
Deone, okay.
Deone Bucanon.
Everybody says, his real name is so long.
Go ahead.
Oh, yeah.
Deone, he's always, he's known to be very competitive around the league, but then you see him out there really excited to go up against guys like Mike Evans, a little bit today against Deebo Samuel.
What have you seen from him, you know, especially on the 11 on 11 drills, but from the competitor that he is?
You know, Deone's one of those guys like you talked about, being highly competitive.
So when he's playing against Mike, you know, a, you know, gold jacket type of guy in practice, and then you get back Deebo, and we know what Deebo brings with the com- from as far as a competitive standpoint.
You know, along with the D. Robs, along with, you know, all the other wide outs that we got, the young Stribling.
So it's a bunch of different guys out there that provide different challenges and, like, I really love how he's accepted it.
He's going out there trying to find out his spots.
You know, picking his spots to play really aggressive, picking his spots to play, you know, really smart, picking his spots to be able to utilize his help.
Being able to understand the defense at a very high level.
I mean, it's, it's all really competitive from on the grass, but it's just competitive from inside the grass.
You know, like, it, it seems simple for those guys, but they got little moments that they can pick, and I love how they're picking those moments, you know.
Him and Renardo has really, you know, stood out in that way, to be able to go find, him and Jack- Jack-Jack as well, being able to go find those moments.
I mean, Luter, I mean, a bunch of different guys have made some plays.
So it's like they're finding those moments and those places where they can make plays, and it's really cool to watch.
Ray, given your history and background, if Aaron Donald does come back, would you say he could be Aaron Donald again?
You know, it's Aaron Donald.
Yeah.
So, you know, those kind of guys are what they are, and they, they can do whatever they put their mind to.
You know, they got those different mentalities, those different people.
We all know those people in sports, you know, I think we talk about all the time, that Kobe Bryant, you know, those Michael Jordans, those Aaron Donalds, those, those people like that, you know.
Different conversation.
Would, would you counsel him to stay retired if you could?
You know, I'm not gonna counsel him to do anything.
You know, you can counsel him to stay retired and he may come back just to spite you.
So, you know, I- I'm sure Aaron's a, he is a grown man, and he's gonna make a grown man decision, whatever it is, whenever he decides to make it.
How has Osa Odighizuwa's acclimation been to the defense?
It's been fun to watch.
You know, it's been fun to watch him come in, and then really, the first thing I noticed is, was his routine.
You know, his daily routine and how hard he works and how much he does for himself to keep himself ready to go.
So those are the nosy moments you have as a coach where you can ask those things.
"Man, when did this start?"
You know, and he just talked about his history and, you know, growing up and, you know, having a brother that played as well, and being able to adapt some of those things from different people in the places that he's been, and watching him go through his process and how long he's able to be in the building.
His mental stamina to, to stay within the framework of what we're doing and to figure out how good he can be, I, I, I really appreciate that about him.
So, like, his presence being graced upon us in the building with, you know, great smile, great energy, person that loves football, and really comfortable with his self.
Like, that, those are all really great qualities to bring to a different team.
Coach, how would you evaluate Jayden Dugger so far through camp and where is he at in his development?
He's doing great.
The young man has, really stepped up on special teams, you know, showing, his ability to contribute immediately.
You know, you know, everybody's special team is kind of the proving ground.
And when you go out there and you show physicality out there, that really helps us.
So, like, you know, when Brant and Colt and those guys give those guys kind of, those kind of credits, and then that gives them the ability to get out there and play even more defense and get more confidence.
You know, watching him grow every single day and learn from every single, you know, I can't say mistake, but correction.
You know, like, whatever that correction is, I think is always something that's fun, when you're talking about those younger players.
And he's, you know, within his room, there's not a lot of talking I have to do to him.
You know, he's got Fred and Greenlaw, who are players in that room, along with guys like Walo and Tatum that have been in this system, and been, been in the system and been around those guys and how to prepare.
And then the coaches in that room.
Talking about Johnny Holliday and KJ Wright, you know, guy that's played a long time.
They both played in the league.
They both coached a long time.
Well, Johnny's coached a long time, and he, he's got a bunch of knowledge he's able to get and acquire every single day, and he's eating it all up.
How would you rate- Renardo was, was saying the other day that, um- I'm sorry.
Re- Renardo was saying the other day he, he felt like you have done a good job of kind of stripping things down to, to, so that they can play fast.
I mean, simplifying things enough that it's more digestible.
Can you just, like, explain, like, what, what, what he might mean by that?
Like, what, what are some of the methods you use to, to try to do that to make- It's hard to say without giving away all Renardo's secrets, but it's like, you know, like, having such a DB background, it's like you, you're able to relate to those guys and, and what's important.
And then it's, like, trying to find ways that they can take shots and have opportunities to make plays.
You know, this whole league is based on those guys making plays.
You know, like, nobody cares if you go out there and cover a guy and they don't get a catch.
They care about what the significance of the plays that you made were.
And he's found ways to make significant plays throughout camp and throughout the off-season and, like, he's growing every single day as he learn, and his communication with his safeties and what he should be and how he should be and what he should look like, I think those things have all gotten better for him.
And like, you know, that's probably what he's talking about.
You know, and it's like- Being able to give them those details and be able to talk to them and coach those guys.
And again, he has another big time veteran in his room in Jerry Gray, that's played a lot of football.
He's caught a lot of interceptions in this league.
He's coached a lot of really great DBs, and he's able to get it from, you know, everybody, all walks of life from within this building.
You know, Ray Brown, he's got I mean, he's got a ton of coaches in there and, and, and I'm only a contributor to be able to help those guys.
W- was there something you, you saw with him either, either on tape or even in your conversations with him, where maybe he was, he was overthinking or just something that did need to, to strip it down a little bit for him?
It was less about that.
It was more about my evaluation from college, what I knew about him, who he could be.
It was kind of the relationship that he had with Jalen Ramsey, obviously being a Florida State guy.
It was obviously some of those immediate relationships that was able to help me, you know, really, you know, get in with him, before even going dark about anything that went wrong, within the past year.
I mean, that's the corner's position, right?
There's only two positions in the National Football League that get all the criticisms, tackles and corners.
It is what it is.
That's the life we chose, and it's like you gotta find a way to ignore the noise and find a way to be the best version of yourself every day.
Raheem, yesterday in practice, Fred and Dre had aggressive moments.
Given the fact they are veterans and, and have been with a long time, is it necessary to, like, give them a protect your teammates message, or do you like a bit of that edge, or, or, like, how do you handle situations like that with- That's, that's a part of That's a part of us, right?
We always talk about protecting the team.
That's something that we talk about every single day, whether it's in the defensive unit rooms, whether it's in our team meetings, whether it's in our position rooms.
That's a major part of what we do.
And, and you always get tempers to flare, and when you're talking to those adults, it's easy to be really critical and hard on those guys about what it-- we want it to look like.
And they know what we want it to look like.
They-- You can tell by their body language after, even when it happens.
I told Fred the other day, you know, he's starting a fight in practice, and he's walking off the field, and he's kissing every baby that's in sight.
I'm like, "You are the ultimate guy."
and then they're very correctable moments that gives your, your head coach an opportunity to go in there and talk to the very best players on your football team every day and correct those things.
And when people see that, that gives great examples.
So, like, it's always good.
You don't want them.
You, you, you wish they would do it right away, but if that was the case, they wouldn't need us, and that's what we're here for.
Raheem, you, you There's a lot of players in this league that really like playing for you.
When, when you c- when you lose a defensive end, does a guy like Leonard Floyd blow up your phone?
And you've had him a couple times.
What has he done for your defense in the past?
Leonard Floyd is a, is a phenomenal football player.
He's a great-- He's, he's even a better human.
And he's the kind of high quality guy that you always wanna be around.
But, you know, it's not that he blows up my phone.
I mean, th- tho- those things all happen within the, the workings of, of our group upstairs.
And, you know, obviously, you're always gonna have an input.
You're always gonna have a say.
You know, they're always gonna come to you and be very you know, ask the questions, ask the things.
And Leonard's been here, so we know what he's about.
We know what those kind of guys are about.
So, like, it's, you know, those things could possibly happen.
You never know.
Like, you always keep guys.
There are always short lists.
There's things that happen all the time.
We got great people in place to do those things, RJ and, you know, Josh and all those guys in that personnel department that are constantly looking every single day.
You, you got a lot of credit and lot, lot of respect for those guys.
How is, Nick Martin doing?
And you're talking about Fred and, and Dre.
Is being on the field, not just in that room, but on the field as the third linebacker with them something that's can really speed up his development?
You know, the pads came on yesterday, and he really showed up.
You know, had one of his better days yesterday with his pads.
You know, you could see the, the ability to run around and be physical and hit.
You could see, his explosion.
You could see the things where he dropped it.
You see a lot of the traits, and he's continuing to grow every single day.
So being out there with those two guys won't hurt, I can tell you that much.
So having the ability to get him out there and compete at a very high level, that's what you want.
You want highly competitive spots, highly competitive people at all those spots going out there competing at a b- at a big time level.
Wel- welcome back.
When, when you're, when you're going through the process of kind of figuring out what was next for you, how would-- how much was a, a return here kind of on your mind, and what made it happen?
You know, ever since last year, like I said, me, Kyle, John, we always had those conversations, whether I was here, whether I was there.
But, the bond never left, for sure.
So you- You've been chatting- off-season, a lot of people make comments about how good you looked in, in the off-season workouts.
Was there anything different, any attention to detail on something different coming back this season?
Or how was that off-season training for you?
It was a little different.
As I stated, I, I started at YouTube or whatever, but, it's just, like, different.
It was my first time being a free agent, so it was just, like, a long process.
It was frustrating.
It was hard.
But, I had good people in my corner, for us, the guys that I grew up with, a couple other people.
But, you know, it was like head down and just get to working.
Just whatever happens, happens.
So given that, is it any different, a different feeling being back in the building after that type of summer?
I wouldn't say it was different.
It kind of felt like I, I ain't even go nowhere, to be honest.
When I, when I got back, I was just like, "Well, I, I know what's going on.
I know the people here.
Staff's still the same."
So it's kind of, like, the same for real.
Keba, how'd you enjoy your year in Washington, and, and how are the organizations different from one another?
I'm not gonna compare organizations, but I had a good time over there.
You, Did, did Kyle reach out to you after his accident?
How'd you hear about it?
And just what was it like seeing him again when he got back?
I heard about it as soon as you guys did.
But, you know, when it came out, I kind of talked to him, and it was kind of normal to me.
Keba, I saw you chatting with Mike Devins today.
What are those conversations like, and what is it like coming back into a room that looks a little bit different?
It was kind of different.
You know, when I left, you know, the guys that was here.
But I met Mike in, at Pro Bowl, and, you know, he was in Tampa doing his thing.
He'd been doing it for a long time.
But the conversation we was having out there was just like, you know, just regular conversation, really not about ball, just getting ready for practice.
Leonard mentioned that he'd been talking with you and your representation for about a month.
What was it that tipped the scales to bring you back?
You know, it's, you know, the, my agent and John do a good job, and, the side conversations with me, John, and Kyle has just, like, always kind of been the same.
It was just a matter of time before it happened.
You're, you're, you've been You were pretty tight with Ricky when Ricky came in as a rookie.
Just your thoughts on, on him right now as he's heading off to surgery and- yeah.
Uh- Kind of been tight with him.
He was in Arizona.
I was in Arizona.
Kinda ha- haven't lost a beat since, since last year when I left.
We still stayed in communication.
And, I kinda talked to him, the night whenever he got the news, and he was a little frustrated.
And I was like, "Bro, just keep your head up, man.
Your time's coming."
It's just like he's just kinda had bad luck right now.
It's like really nothing that he can do about it, but overall, you know, he's shown what he's capable of when he's healthy.
And, you know, wish him well in surgery and a quick recovery for sure.
I do feel- Brian Hoyer said he hated going up against you.
Saw you guys having a conversation out there.
What was that conversation like?
And now that you guys are, I guess, on the same side, what's different about that?
You know, he got a really good scheme.
He was joking yesterday.
He was like, "Man, I'm so glad I ain't gotta go against you," this, that, and the third.
And I was like, "You know, I'm kinda glad you one of my coaches as well."
So it's kinda like that, that kind of relationship is gonna build.
We's always been opponents, but now we on the same side, so we'll continue to build from there.
Deebo- What was the reaction like from your teammates when you finally showed up in the locker room?
I was in the locker room yesterday, so I kinda seen 'em all.
K- kinda like I stated before, it's like felt like I never left.
They was happy.
I was happy.
We just ready to get the ball rolling.
Is there, is there, like, a part of you that has, feels like you have something to prove still?
I know you always kinda carry a chip on your shoulder anyway, but given the way maybe the last few years have gone for you, do you feel like you have s- an additional motivation?
I mean, I'm continue to be myself whenever the opportunity present itself.
I'm ready for it.
Can we volunteer the number, or was there a transaction there?
It was a, you know, it was a little transaction.
You know, we made it happen.
Deebo, this is a somewhat unique situation.
I know, I mean, you, you twice requested trades t- to leave here.
But obviously, whatever happened, you know, there was It didn't create bad blood or, you know, bad feelings.
How is it that you guys, you, John, Kyle, still ha- have maintained such a strong relationship through everything?
I mean, contract negotiations is contract negotiations, and then those are conversations for John, Kyle, and my agent to have.
But our relationship has never, changed or had a fallout.
So I mean, that was just, like, contract negotiations that I'm not in control of.
You were involved really quickly in the offense today.
Was that the plan?
Were you ready for that?
Yesterday it was like, "Let's see where you at.
Let's see, you know, how you feel."
So I did a workout yesterday, yesterday night or whatever, and then they was like, "All right, we gonna give you eight to 10 plays today and just see how it goes, and we're just gonna keep building from there."
You had a few teammates who said they were offering up their guesthouses for you on social media.
Did, have you taken 'em up on any yet?
Nah.
Do you feel like your role in this offense will be similar to your first six seasons with the Niners?
I have no idea.
We just gonna roll with the punches.
On that sort of serious question, you and Trent usually the two guys up front with the boom box.
Is that coming back?
They used it when I was gone, so I mean, hey, we, we still gotta rock out.
Derek, we asked you this in the off-season, but now that you're in training camp, Fred talked about it earlier this week, how good does it kinda feel back out there?
And it kinda seems like you guys set the tone for the energy level, especially in that group.
Talk us through that a little bit.
Yeah, I mean, it just feels unbelievable, honestly.
Like, just being next to four, five four, you know he gonna control the defense.
You know he gonna have you in the right place and, you know, yeah, it just feels like old times, man.
Just, you just running around having fun, just enjoying every day, just bringing that juice and getting the best out of each other, and I mean, yeah, it just, it, it just feels great.
Derek, in the spring you, you talked about just kind of what, what made you wanna come back here.
With Deebo coming back now too, I know it's only been, like, 24 hours, but have you guys had a chance to, to talk about, like, hey, you know, the, the pull of, of coming back and playing for this organization again?
Yeah, I mean, I've reached out to him a little bit, you know, during this free agency time and just, you know, just kinda said, "Hey, man, you know, come on back, man."
Like, you know what I'm saying?
Like, "Let's have a reunion.
Let's, let's, let's do this thing together, bro."
I mean, it He, he knows, like, it ain't no place like San Fran.
I mean, you can go, I mean, just talking to a bunch of different guys and, you know, getting their experience at different places, and then just, you know, for myself, just the coaches, the, the people in the building, the, the players, the leadership that we got on this team.
Just the, that warm feeling that you get that it's just, it's time for battle, and that's the only thing that matters.
And, this place is just about football, and I mean, if you're a football player, you love that.
And, and just to have the, the right group of guys around you, that, that wants the same thing and that, that, that got that same motivation, man, it's a, it's a just unbelievable feeling, unbelievable place.
And, I know that's what he, he wants, too.
I know Deebo's a football player as well, and, you know, sometimes you gotta go and, you know, see, you know, what's out there.
But, you know, once you go, you, you realize, hey, it ain't nothing like, ain't nothing like San Fran.
What's the reaction like in the locker room when, when Deebo comes back in?
Oh, man, it's huge.
I mean, he's, he's the juice of the offense.
He's the, he's the thing that keep that, the offense going, you know, when they need a spark.
So just knowing that he's gonna be back on our side, man, it just give you all the confidence in the world that, you know, that we can get this done this year.
And, yeah, I mean, I'm excited for him.
Derek, we asked Deemo about you and you coming back, and he's like, "We got our bully back."
how When you hear that, how does that make you feel?
Man, I just, I'm just happy to be accepted by the guys, really, honestly.
You know, just leaving and coming back, you don't know how, you know, things are gonna be.
But, you know, the, to, to hear some of the guys and to hear that, how they accept you back and, you know, they just want you to be you, I mean, that's all I could ask for.
I mean, I remember telling you guys, "I'm not gonna be no more than what I am," you know, what I bring to the table, which is, is being me.
You know what I mean?
Having fun to go out there and play, play football the way that I do.
So, you know, just to get that type of, you know, respect and, you know, from your teammates and, you know, that, that type of welcome manages, it makes you, it makes you feel good.
Ray, you were here- Did- Jay, you were here when the defense was, you know, pretty similar as it has been over the last few years, and then you have Raheem Morris coming in, adding some versatility.
W- what has that transition been like, those adjustments being made, and what do you like about that?
Yeah, I think it's gonna be great for us.
It'll ki- allows us to, you know, just tighten things up and just not give the offense, you know, something to look at every time and know, you know, kinda what we're in a little bit.
Although, you know, in the past, you know, we've played our defense and, we, it's bread and butter, we know it like the back of our hand.
But, it's gonna be a good change-up to kinda, you know, keep teams guessing, and then, you know, just being able to interchange between those two, I mean, it's gonna be, you just don't know where it's gonna be coming from.
And you know, it kinda reminds me a lot of the Denver defense in a way, with the five down stuff, but you know, we still got our bread and butter on what we like to do with our four, four down.
Jay, after the little bit of skirmish yesterday, was there any self-regulating talk amongst the defense, or did anyone talk to you guys, or you just have to- Oh, no.
He ain't gotta talk, no.
It's, Man, one thing about us, like this team is just like, it's all love.
Like, you know what I mean?
Like, tempers rise, this and that and that, and things flare up, but it's all love in the building.
Like, you know, I respect Moore, two, three more than anybody, man.
I told him when he first came in, "Bro, like, you know, you my favorite player," like I told him that.
Like, he, he knows that, and, you know, obviously all the guys that he done played with, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis and all them.
So I've been telling him, like, "Bro, I've been watching you since you came in."
So you know, just to get the honor, you know, back in what?
'21, '22, '21 when he came.
But yeah, no, like sometimes you gotta get, get it going a little bit, man.
You gotta get 'em juiced up, man.
So, yeah, man, if, you know, he wanna throw a ball to get him going, or whatever you gotta do, hey, do it.
So you know, whatever, whatever we gotta do to get things rolling, man.
So I mean, it's just, it's all love.
It's just football at the end of the day.
What, what's your thought process in, in that moment though?
You, 'cause you did retaliate.
Was it just like, "Oh, you got one, I got one, we're good here?"
What, what, what's , what are you thinking about?
Honestly, my process was like, "You better not touch 23."
Or you might not be on this team, so.
But you know, I think it was a play before where I, he kinda, I kinda got rolled up on him a little bit and I was like, "Damn."
So you know, but then naturally they catch the ball, he caught a ball on the, the five-yard ball and I, and I pushed him out of bounds.
I think he thought it was worse than what it was, but I mean, at the end of the day, yeah, my first initial reaction was, I mean, I was happy he did it because it just shows like he got that fire in him, and that's what I like.
I mean, I like that fire.
So, yeah, like it just gets everything and everybody going, man.
So, but yeah, I knew, I knew, don't touch 23.
But sometimes.
To be clear, be clear you and Fred were not sent to the principal's office a- after practice?
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
But yeah, you j- still lesson learned though.
You know, it's, it's, it's, you know, it's just a lesson learned at the end of the day.
But no, nah, I mean, nah.
Ray, is that, is that bully label that Lenoir talked about, is that accurate?
Do you find that accurate, or do you find, do you take exception to it?
A bully?
I don't think I'm a bully.
I mean, you just call it whatever you want on the field.
But, I don't know.
I, I just, when I, I don't know what to call it, you know, if that's what they wanna call it.
But, I'm definitely not a bully like off the field though.
I don't try to like be that, try to give that like representation of who I am as a person, 'cause that's not me at all.
I love everybody.
I love everybody to death.
I love just coming in the building and working and getting a chance to be with my teammates.
But when them pads come on, I mean, whoever on the other side of the ball gotta get it, so.
Ray, they say game recognizes game.
What, what do you think of Nick Martin so far?
Yeah, baller, for sure.
Just got all the s- tools that he need, the speed, just the instincts, playmaking ability.
You know, just young and still, you know, need reps and just need, you know, time to just continue to grow.
But he definitely is gonna be a person that I feel like that's gonna make a impact in this league sooner or later.
And, yeah, it's been great to work beside him, to work, to see how he gotten better, you know, just from his last year to this year and, just to see his growth and how it's gonna take off.
I mean, it's like, I mean, he's gonna be that linebacker that we're gonna be counting on, you know, to come in and, you know, maybe be the fever backer and be on the edge, or he may, you know, be dropping or whatever it may be.
But we're gonna count on him a lot of ways, to k- help contribute, and I, I know he's gonna make a big impact for us.
John Lynch compared Nick Martin to you last year when they, when they drafted him.
Do you see any similarities at all be- between the two of you, either in style or, character?
Like anything that's, that's stood out?
You know, for sure.
I think that, you know, he's kind of more of a, a q- just more quiet and conservative to himself a little bit and, I mean, I, I think I'm like that in a way.
It depends on, you know, if you get me riled up or not, but I haven't seen him too r- riled up.
Yesterday he was talking after a couple hits, and I was hearing him and I was loving it, and I was like, "Okay, I hear you out there, four, five," you know what I'm saying?
And he was getting juiced up, so I think that's gonna come with time.
The more he plays, the able to make, the more confidence he get, the more you gonna hear from four, five.
So, yeah, I do see myself in a lot of ways, just, you know, the way he plays.
You know, he's a, he's a fast player.
And then once he knows it, he's, he's very instinctive.
So, he's gonna, he's gonna make a big impact for us.
It seems like the, defensive backs are off to a good start this camp.
What are your impressions of the guys behind you so far?
Oh yeah, man, they look good back there.
You know, just coming in, it's a lot more guys that are just, just ready all across the board.
You know, young guys, you know, obviously having Ji'Ayir and, Singles back there, you know, and he's still young as well.
But, you know, and Mustafa, he's a little down right now, but- yeah, I mean, it's just a bunch of guys, depth at, all across the board.
You know what I mean?
Now, you don't I feel like, you know, in the last few past years, you know, you get one guy on the back end down, then, you know, it was, it was a struggle.
Especially, I remember that 20 What?
2020 year, I mean, it was a struggle.
D bombs everywhere, but now, you know, you just got confidence that, you know, the guys, the backup guys gonna come in and they gonna hold it down.
And, you know, these young guys that's getting these vital reps and got those reps last year, they're gonna be just that much better than they were.
So, I mean, it's only gonna get better for the back end.
What do you see from KJ Wright as your coach this year?
Yeah, I mean, KJ, he's, he's, he's an alpha dog for sure.
You know, just he brings good juice to the team, man.
He, he, he just let us be ourselves, too.
You know what I mean?
He, he knows how to play football.
He know what, you know, what it feels like to be on that field between those lines and, you know, how things can get carried away.
We was actually just watching some tape with him, you know, and just being up on the Sea- it wasn't Seattle, it was Green Bay.
But we That's what you don't do, though.
He was telling us what you don't do.
But he, right.
But, yeah, I mean, he just You know, he's one of the guys.
Honestly, he's one of the guys, but he's a, he's a leader, too, as well.
And, just got so much respect for him, even, you know, obviously as he been my coach, but even before he was my coach, like You know what I mean?
But him and Bobby, like, watching them go to work, and then like, yeah, just those battles that we had with Seattle.
And then, you know, now he's the coach, so he just knows that he know We, we know that he know what he doing.
And, yeah, I mean, the more Every day he come in, he just gets You can just tell his confidence is just growing and, he's understanding the game plan.
Just we all picking up, you know, a little bit of a new game plan, so you know, the more you understand it, he's understanding it more and more, and we all are together.
And that's what makes it so special and so fun is that, you know, we just, we're all in this thing together.
Jaire, you've been through so much, you know, health-wise since the Super Bowl.
Is right now I mean, everyone's like, you know, "This is the healthiest I've ever felt," right?
Right.
For sure.
But, you know, i- is there something to that with you?
Like, where you are as, as far as your body?
I mean, have you felt this good in a, in a while?
I haven't, actually.
That's funny, man.
I haven't felt this good since, about a month before the Super Bowl.
You know, even that whole time, I was dealing with Achilles, Achilles, Achilles.
Then you finally get a little healthy last or the year after the Super Bowl, you know, just enough to play.
And then second game, you do your calf.
And you go into off-season, going to the Broncos, you're thinking, "Okay, this is the year that I'm finna, you know, make it happen."
And the second day you go in, you pull your quad off the bone.
So I mean, it's been just after, one after another, one after another, another, and I just been playing catch-up the whole time.
But now, you know, I just feel like I'm where I need to be now as far as just, you know, body, health-wise, everything.
And I know I got the best people in the world gonna take care of me.
And, you know, I ain't gotta go out there and do more.
I ain't gotta go prove it to nobody.
I ain't gotta do this.
I gotta go play football still, but, I don't have to go out there and, and, and, and overdo it to try to, you know, prove to them that I'm a football player or who I am as a person.
You know what I'm saying?
So, I think that's gonna, that's gonna help a lot.
Jaire- The quad injury- With the season you've been through and your experience and having to recover from so many in a short amount of time, I mean, you would think that somebody like Ricky could learn a lot from someone like you.
Yeah.
Is, is that a conversation that maybe, has been had, or maybe you reached out and talked to him, or a conversation that you guys are planning on having given, you know, him maybe being a little down on his circumstances right now?
No, for sure.
I definitely have talked to Ricky, plenty of times, you know, since, you know, everything came out about the knee and stuff like that.
And I'm just letting him know like, like, bro, like you He got a hell of talent.
Like, he, he, he can play ball.
Like, bro can run.
He can run routes.
Like, he, Ricky is that guy.
It's just gonna take Ricky some time.
Like, he gotta give him some time to heal and, you know, to take care of his body and do what's best for Ricky.
And, Ricky gonna play for this, in this league for a long time.
And, I know it sucks just not being able to get going.
I kinda like, the way it's kinda starting for him is kinda how the last two years has been for me.
But, man, at the end of the day, you gotta enjoy it as much as possible.
Enjoy every day.
You never know when your last day is gonna be on, on this field.
You know what I mean?
So every day you go out, you gotta bring just that juice, that, that gratitude, man, everything, because you just, you just never know, man.
So, you know, I, I, I've talked to him and just encouraged him, like, "Hey, man," like, "bro, this, it sucks now, but I'm trying to tell you, bro, just, like, keep doing what you're doing.
Keep, you know, just keep pushing yourself.
Keep getting better.
You know, obviously you gotta heal up, but, you know, just keep doing the little things right, man.
And, and most importantly, man, stay faithful to God, man, and all that.
It's gonna, it's gonna take care of itself.
Always has, so And I believe that."
Jaire, when you mentioned the, the quad injury, was that a particularly low moment?
I mean, just being in a new team, you wanna prove yourself and, reward their trust and all that stuff.
I, I guess when you think about the last two years, I mean, where, where does that fit as far as kind of Sorry, not a cheery question, but what low moments for you?
Yeah.
No, it definitely was a real, real low moment, man, because you just, you know, you've You're just excited to go a- and, and prove to them what you can do and all the things that, you know, who they say you are, that you are.
And, I mean, it just Once it, once I hit, got the quad, I, you know, it was just And they tried their best to support me, through the process and stuff, but, you know, it just wasn't healing the right way.
Like, normally pretty easy with healing.
Like, my body heals pretty fast.
And, I just remember with this quad, like, sitting there working every day and grinding, and, like, as soon as I go out and take off super fast, like, it'd pop again.
So I'm just dealing with it, you know.
Even when we came here for training camp, and yeah, I mean, I remember coming here for training camp but just obviously feeling because I couldn't practice.
And then, yeah, I mean, went out there before the game started and got running and ended up messing it up again.
So it just, it was just an ongoing thing that I just really needed rest from.
And, but yeah, it was, it was definitely a low moment, man, because you just know that you were just, like, just hurt- not hurting the team, but, you know, you're just giving them the narrat- the narrative that they want.
You know what I mean?
That, you know, oh, you're injury-prone and can't do this and can't do that.
So, yeah, it sucks, man.
Went definitely through a depression, man.
But, yeah, like, I'm thankful for the guys here, though.
Like, you know, Fred, talking to Fred, talking to Z, those were the guys that, that really helped me get out of the situation and out depression, for sure.
That's it, guys.
Last one.
Were you as curious as anyone about this power plant conspiracy theory on the injuries?
Yeah.
I was.
I was like, "Man, what the hell going on over here?"
yeah, I mean, I don't I mean, I don't really know.
Like, grew up playing ball, football on concrete, so I mean, I don't, I, I don't look into that.
I don't even look into the field situation.
Like, you know, as long as we got a field to play on, I don't care if it's grass or turf, so I'm not really the one to kinda, like Yeah.
But I was interested.
I was like, you gotta look into it now.
It's, it may It's something there.
But hey, you never know.
Thanks, Jaire.
