The 49ers enter the 2024 preseason with renewed hope. See how healthy stars Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, and Brock Purdy are preparing for the Broncos.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The ghosts of a 6-11 season are officially being exorcised in Santa Clara. As the 49ers ramp up preparations for their Sunday preseason debut against the Denver Broncos, the feeling is less about recovery and more about a full-scale relaunch. With franchise cornerstones like Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa all healthy and participating fully, the buzz at Thursday's practice was palpable, signaling a team ready to turn the page.
He is always pushing himself. He's never satisfied and he's going to not just do what we ask him to do. He's going to do as much as he can to get better.
Just days away from their first taste of game action at Levi's Stadium, the 49ers are operating with a renewed sense of purpose. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan is laser-focused on evaluating key position battles, but the biggest story is the overall health and energy of the squad. The return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has injected a familiar fire into the defense, and with an injury report that's mercifully short on stars, the team is building momentum they hope will erase the memory of last year's last-place finish in the NFC West.
At the center of it all is quarterback Brock Purdy. Fresh off signing a massive five-year, $265 million extension, Purdy is earning every penny with his leadership and relentless work ethic, drawing high praise from his coach. He'll have a familiar, fiery target in Jauan Jennings, who returned to practice and immediately asserted himself, leading receiver drills and making several plays. Jennings' strong performance is crucial, especially as Brandon Aiyuk ramps up and newcomer Quintez Cephus gets acclimated. The team signed Cephus on Thursday to add depth after Jacob Cowing suffered a hamstring injury, releasing running back Israel Abanikanda to make room on the roster.
Perhaps the most beautiful sight for 49ers fans is seeing Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa on the field without limitations. All three are fully healthy after dealing with nagging issues, and their presence transforms the team's potential. 'I'm glad that they're both here and healthy,' Shanahan said, emphasizing the importance of having his stars build up their bodies for the long haul. While they're expected to see action in the preseason, the coaching staff is carefully managing their workloads to ensure they're at peak strength for the regular season.
Adding to the optimism is the schedule. The 49ers enter 2025 with the NFL's easiest slate based on last year's records, with their opponents holding a combined .417 winning percentage. This favorable path, combined with a healthy roster and the return of a top-tier defensive mind in Saleh, has analysts like Eric D. Williams predicting a significant turnaround to a 10-7 record. The expectations are high, and for the first time in a while, it feels like the team has all the pieces in place to meet them.
The talk and optimism are great, but the first real proof will be on the field. All eyes now turn to Sunday's preseason opener against the Broncos at Levi's Stadium. It will be the first chance to see if the health, the new additions, and the renewed leadership can translate into the dominant football the Faithful have been waiting for. The rebound tour officially begins this weekend.
