Add another veteran to the 49ers not reporting for the beginning of San Francisco’s offseason program.
Citing league sources, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting center Alex Mack has still not decided if he will retire or return to the team for the 2022 season.
Mack was named to the Pro Bowl for the seventh time following the 2021 season. He will turn 37 in November.
Speaking with reporters at the NFL annual meeting last month, both general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan were both optimistic Mack would come back for a 14th NFL season. However, both stopped short of giving a definitive answer on the center’s future.
Mack is one of 11 49ers players set to earn a $100,000 workout bonus by showing up for the team’s offseason program. By foregoing the money and not participating, Mack could be showing his intentions for this season.
The center position has been a question mark with the 49ers ever since Weston Richburg suffered what would be a career-ending injury against New Orleans in week 14 of the 2019 season.
With Richburg unable to return, the 49ers bounced between Ben Garland, Hroniss Grasu, and Daniel Brunskill at center throughout 2020.
The team signed Mack to a three-year deal last offseason to shore up the position.
With Mack’s future in doubt, the speculation has been San Francisco would look to find a center in the draft.
Prospects the 49ers are known to have spoken with this offseason include Cam Jurgens from the University of Nebraska and Jason Poe from Mercer.
Aside from the draft, San Francisco has a couple of players currently under contract who could take over at center in the short term in Brunskill and Jake Brendel.
Brendel originally joined the 49ers as a free agent before the 2020 season, and he would eventually opt out due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Brendel played in 16 games and played only six offensive snaps.
Over the last two seasons, Brunskill has started all 31 regular-season games for the 49ers, including eight at center during 2020.
The 49ers offensive line looks to be a major problem for next year. Really hoping the 49ers address 2 to 3 positions on the offensive line before the season begins.
LT- Williams ; LG – A. Banks; C- Mack / Rookie draft pick; RG – vet free agent; RT J Moore / Mc Glinchy
Maybe throw another draft pick in there and hope for the best
Banks is a gigantic question mark.
Mack is average to below average as an overall Center and may not even play next year.
RG is Brunskill or I’m hoping for a vet free agent.
Moore/McGlinchey are major question marks.
So the 49ers have a HOF LT and every other position is a question mark or below average. With a new QB you’d hope the 49ers would prioritize the O-line. Doesn’t really look to be the case right now.
I will take a 1st (1-15 pick) and a 2nd and 5th for Deebo Smollett.
I hope they don’t pay him – make him play out his rookie contract – use him a lot during the season – franchise him with intent to trade him in 2023
There is no Deebo without Kyle Shanahan
Deebo is weak and a true diva who loves the new attention – get rid of him now – We don’t need another TO
He called us “racists” – F him – he needs to show us his DM’s or apologize.
There is a sports fan subset that is definitely racist.
There is a human population subset that is also definitely racist
My point is – lots of players receive these kind of threats all the way back to the 1st game ever played in human history – him playing victim to me is weak
and to say the same people that cheer for him now boo him on “social media” makes me think he is all about drama.
Only an attention seeking diva would take social media seriously
What a mess and major disappointment this offseason has been for the 49ers.
Never had much faith in the front office. Have even less now. Oh for the days
of Eddie D & the “Just Get It Done” mentality.
agree with Gary: the below-par off-season is a surprise and a major disappointment. Not a single player signed is a playmaker. Ward is the best pickup but not more than slightly better than average.
OL looks to be the undoing of the team even before the season starts. Few drafted players will be skilled enough to start on an NFL OL. Especially not at the complex position of center.
I felt Deebo was giving signals in interviews right after the season ended that he was not coming back. You could read it in his ambivalent words and unhappy face.
Please Jets give us Round 1, Pick 10, Round 2, Pick 35 and Round 3, Pick 69 for 49ers WR Deebo