Terrell Owens Says He Told 49ers He's 'Definitely Available' If SF Needs a WR
Dec 7, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Former San Francisco 49ers player Terrell Owens looks on during his 49ers Hall of Fame induction ceremony at half time of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Terrell Owens knows just the guy who can help the San Francisco 49ers if they're looking for a wide receiver.
Owens said Wednesday on San Francisco radio station 95.7 The Game (via Audacy) he's "definitely available":
Terrell Owens' message to the 49ers:
"If you guys need a receiver, I’m good. Third down, red zone – trust me – I’m a very valuable asset. … I’ve already reached out to Jed York and told him, ‘If you need somebody, I’m definitely available.'"
The six-time Pro Bowler isn't wrong in that he's "definitely available," but it's safe to say he definitely won't step onto an NFL field again.
Owens last played in the NFL in 2010 and has been out of the league long enough to get enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's also celebrating his 49th birthday, so he'd be the oldest player in the history of the NFL. George Blanda was 48 when he retired.
Owens is a 49ers legend and one of the most prolific pass-catchers of all time. He ranks eighth in receptions (1,078) and third in receiving yards (15,934).
The former Niners star remains in great shape too.
So, uh, @terrellowens just ran a sub 4.5 40…at 48 years old in the Dash of the Titans.
But the ship sailed long ago on an Owens comeback in the NFL.
Joe Montana: 49ers Can Still Win Super Bowl with Brock Purdy After Garoppolo Injury
Dec 7, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 04: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) drops back to pass during the NFL professional football game between the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers on December 4, 2022 at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brock Purdy did enough in a Week 13 win over the Miami Dolphins to convince Hall of Famer Joe Montana that the San Francisco 49ers can still win the Super Bowl.
"You know what, if he does what he did last week, yeah," Montana said of Purdy leading the team to a title, per Josh Peter of USA Today.
Purdy, who earned the moniker of "Mr. Irrelevant" as the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft, replaced the injured Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday and came through with 210 yards and two passing touchdowns in a 33-17 win.
"Mr. Irrelevant was pretty relevant last weekend," Montana said. "I think they’ve got a chance. I mean, their defense is playing well. When you've got a good defense, you can make (up for) a lot of mistakes on offense, and those guys have a tendency to make it up for you."
Garoppolo will miss the rest of the regular season with a foot injury, although ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the veteran can return late in the playoffs if the 49ers make a deep run. In the meantime, Purdy will take control of the offense and make his first career start on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite his lack of experience, Purdy has one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in his corner, as well as the league's No. 1 defense.
NFL Rumors: Execs Don't Expect Kliff Kingsbury to Return as Cardinals HC in 2023
Dec 6, 2022
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Kliff Kingsbury's time as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals may be coming to an end.
Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reported executives around the league "are anticipating" that the NFC West team will move in a different direction before next season. He noted it is still up in the air if general manager Steve Keim will also be fired.
The Cardinals made the playoffs last season with an 11-6 record, meaning expectations were high entering the 2022 campaign.
However, things have gone anything but according to plan.
Arizona is 4-8 on the season and well behind the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers, who are 8-4. The Cardinals have also lost four of their last five and are largely just playing out the string at this point.
Things went off course before the year even started, as DeAndre Hopkins was suspended for six games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. There was also plenty of outside noise regarding an independent study clause in Kyler Murray's contract that the team eventually removed.
Murray has dealt with a hamstring injury at times this season and exchanged in some back-and-forths with Kingsbury and others. It reached a point that Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson even called Murray out for only caring about himself.
Kingsbury has been unable to navigate the various challenges Arizona has faced this season into a winning record and could be approaching the end of his tenure as a result.
It was somewhat surprising when the Cardinals hired him ahead of the 2019 season considering his only head-coaching experience had been a mediocre run at the collegiate level with Texas Tech.
He went 35-40 in six seasons from 2013 through 2018 with the Red Raiders even though he had Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback for three of those years.
Kingsbury's record isn't much better with the Cardinals at 28-32-1, and he will have one single playoff game in four years at the end of this season. There is apparently a belief that won't be good enough to keep his job.
NFL Twitter Laughs at Rams' Pettiness for Claiming Baker Mayfield amid 49ers Buzz
Dec 6, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during warm-ups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams might have achieved two goals when they claimed veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield off waivers Tuesday.
The reigning Super Bowl champions now have another option under center with Matthew Stafford still on injured reserve and John Wolford battling a neck injury.
Los Angeles also ensured Mayfield didn't land with the San Francisco 49ers, who have to lean on Brock Purdy as their starter with Jimmy Garoppolo out for potentially 7-8 weeks because of a Lisfranc injury, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Social media applauded the gamesmanship by Rams general manager Les Snead.
The Rams claiming Baker so the 49ers couldn't is the division-rival pettiness you love to see. https://t.co/v0mKPFng76
Yanno, after watching Bryce Perkins and John Wolford the last two weeks, I certainly understand why Sean McVay said let’s try the Baker thing. https://t.co/Ja3IXRqBtn
At 3-9, the Rams haven't been mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, but their quest for the postseason is effectively over.
Playing the role of spoiler and helping to deny the Niners an NFC West title provides Los Angeles with what little satisfaction it can take from a disappointing season.
Report: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo Could Return for Playoffs; Out 7-8 Weeks with Injury
Dec 6, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could return from his foot injury in time to play in the postseason.
ESPN's Adam Schefter provided more context Tuesday:
Sources: Doctors concluded today that 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo does not need foot surgery, it is not a Lisfranc injury, and if rehab goes smoothly, he could have a chance to return in 7-8 weeks, making him a potential playoff contributor. pic.twitter.com/beYu1Pa9KU
The 31-year-old suffered a broken foot Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and was forced to undergo what was thought to be season-ending surgery. He had soreness in his left knee after taking a hit against the New Orleans Saints the week prior.
Any injury to Garoppolo is cause for concern, especially because he has been hampered by ailments since the New England Patriots traded him to the Niners in October 2017.
The Eastern Illinois product appeared in only three games during the 2018 season before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee. In 2020, he played only six games due to an ankle problem. Entering this season, he underwent shoulder surgery and missed training camp.
He was supposed to be Trey Lance's backup this year, but the 2021 third overall pick suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, thus thrusting Garoppolo back into the spotlight.
Garoppolo has played well this season, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 2,437 yards and 16 touchdowns against four interceptions in 11 games. He has also rushed for 33 yards and two scores.
With Lance out for the year, rookie Brock Purdy is in line to start until Garoppolo returns.
Baker Mayfield Claimed by Rams After Panthers Exit; Reportedly Could Play vs. Raiders
Dec 6, 2022
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 06: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a play during the third quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Baker Mayfield will look to reignite his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams after they claimed him off waivers on Tuesday.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Mayfield might suit up for the team as early as Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Schefter reported that the San Francisco 49ers did not put in a claim for Mayfield despite losing Jimmy Garoppolo to a foot injury on Sunday. The Rams were ahead of the 49ers in the waiver order, so the Niners wouldn't have gotten him even if they had put in a claim.
The 27-year-old didn't make it a full year with the Carolina Panthers, which acquired him from the Cleveland Browns prior to the start of the 2022 season. They announced on Monday they had released the 2018 No. 1 overall pick.
It continued Mayfield's precipitous fall. Within the space of three seasons, he went from helping the Browns reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002 to getting cut by one of the league's worst teams.
Throughout 2021, the Oklahoma product battled shoulder trouble that eventually required surgery. From Carolina's perspective, you could talk yourself into the idea of him rebounding now that he was fully healthy. His bitter divorce from Cleveland provided a clear motivator as well.
Not only did the bounce-back from the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner fail to materialize, but he also played worse than he ever had.
In seven appearances, Mayfield threw for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions and was on pace for career lows in completion percentage (57.8), quarterback rating (74.4) and QBR (18.3), per Pro Football Reference.
Equally as concerning, the shoulder surgery did little to help him be a more dynamic passer. His 5.6 adjusted yards per attempt were more than a full yard below his career average (6.9).
Shortly after Mayfield's release, former cornerback Richard Sherman offered a withering assessment of the signal-caller, arguing there wasn't a clear space for him elsewhere and that he'd probably get another chance largely because of where he was drafted.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported teams weren't exactly banging down Mayfield's door right now and may not be in the offseason:
Teams I've talked to say his days as an NFL starter could be numbered. But several teams could be completely starting over at quarterback, including the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and New York Giants. There will be jobs available. But he's low on the free-agent pecking order.
Somebody was bound to sign him eventually because good backups aren't in abundance across the NFL. Kyle Allen, Brett Rypien, Bailey Zappe, Cooper Rush, Bryce Perkins and Skylar Thompson are among the understudies that have been pressed into starting duty for one reason or another in 2022.
When it comes to Mayfield, you don't want to pin your hopes to him as the full-time starter, but there could be worse alternatives in a pinch.
The Rams are a good fit because head coach Sean McVay might be able to get the best out of him. Perkins and John Wolford aren't impossible competition to overcome for the starting job, either, as Los Angeles continues to cope without an injured Matthew Stafford.
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers attempts a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
With Matthew Stafford likely out for the rest of the season and not wanting to let Baker Mayfield potentially go to a division rival, the Los Angeles Rams could be in the Mayfield sweepstakes.
Per Albert Breer of The MMQB, the Rams are "looking into" claiming Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.
Breer noted the Rams are fourth in the waiver-priority order, behind the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.
The Panthers announced Monday they released Mayfield after he started just six games this season.
Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick requested his release after the Panthers told him he was going to be the third-string quarterback behind Sam Darnold and PJ Walker.
Mayfield's release came in the wake of Jimmy Garoppolo and Lamar Jackson suffering injuries Sunday. Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Jackson is week-to-week with a knee injury.
Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury in the San Francisco 49ers' 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins. Rookie Brock Purdy replaced Garoppolo and played well, finishing 25-of-37 with 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to downplay the possibility of San Francisco putting in a waiver claim on Mayfield.
"I've always been a fan of his but feel real good with all our players," Shanahan told reporters Monday.
The loss of Garoppolo could have huge ramifications on the NFC playoff race. The 49ers have won five consecutive games and are the No. 3 seed in the NFC, but they only have a one-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks in the division.
San Francisco and Seattle will play at Lumen Field on Dec. 15.
The Rams have lost six consecutive games following a 3-3 start. Head coach Sean McVay said after Sunday's loss to the Seahawks that Stafford will likely miss the rest of the year recovering from a spinal cord contusion.
John Wolford and Bryce Perkins have started games under center for the Rams with Stafford out. Wolford finished 14-of-26 for 178 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions against Seattle.
Mayfield went 1-5 in starts for the Panthers this season. In seven appearances, he completed 57.8 percent of his pass attempts for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Kyle Shanahan: 'Always Been a Fan' of Baker Mayfield, 'Feel Real Good' with 49ers QBs
Dec 6, 2022
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers attempts a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
With Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance both out for the season with injuries, the San Francisco 49ers seem like a natural landing spot for Baker Mayfield.
The Carolina Panthers announced they released Mayfield on Monday, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the possibility of adding him.
"I've always been a fan of his but feel real good with all our players," Shanahan said, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
Lance suffered a fractured ankle in Week 2, and Garoppolo suffered a broken foot in Sunday's victory over the Miami Dolphins. That forced the NFC West leaders to turn to rookie Brock Purdy.
To Purdy's credit, he played fairly well and went 25-of-37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while helping the team improve to 8-4 on the campaign.
The seventh-round draft pick out of Iowa State likely didn't expect to see significant time as a rookie, but he is now the starting signal-caller for a team with realistic Super Bowl hopes.
San Francisco did add some depth by signing Josh Johnson off the Denver Broncos practice squad, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, but he has been a journeyman throughout his career and has appeared in games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
The 49ers are in an unusual position where they could win the Super Bowl with even average quarterback play.
Their defense is one of the best in the league, and they are loaded with offensive playmakers such as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk. All the quarterback has to do is avoid major mistakes and get the ball into the playmakers' hands, which is what Garoppolo was doing prior to the setback.
Perhaps Mayfield is someone who could do just that more effectively than Purdy.
He was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft and played well at times for the Cleveland Browns, including when he posted 26 touchdown passes to eight interceptions in 2020. However, he threw 13 interceptions last year and had a 74.4 passer rating in seven appearances with the Panthers this year.
Consistency has long been an issue for Mayfield, and Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported he asked to be released when the Panthers told him he would be third on the depth chart.
He may get a chance to redeem himself on the 49ers, but Shanahan seemed fine with the current options as well.
NFL Fans Troll Potential Baker Mayfield, Christian McCaffrey Reunion with 49ers
Dec 5, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers hands the ball to running back Christian McCaffrey #22 during the second half of their NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
With Baker Mayfield officially released by the Carolina Panthers on Monday, the question becomes where the veteran quarterback might end up.
One possibility is the San Francisco 49ers, who have lost Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo for the season already due to injuries. That has left the relatively unproven Brock Purdy atop the depth chart, so a veteran option like Mayfield—even if he has played poorly this season—would make sense.
Certainly, NFL fans and reporters think so, though not with much confidence that Mayfield would improve San Fran's title odds or benefit former teammate Christian McCaffrey:
On Baker Mayfield: I imagine McCaffrey's input would be valued by the 49ers on this. Mayfield isn't a Shanahan-style QB and his personality sure doesn't seem to fit this locker room, but maybe worth a flyer.
At this point I've given up trying to predict what kind of performance you'll get from Baker Mayfield, but I'd absolutely tune in to see what Kyle Shanahan could make of him.
The most obvious answer here is #Niners are interested in Baker Mayfield. Who was much better in Cleveland than his detractors want to admit. This is going to be fascinating.
Mayfield, 27, was poor in Carolina, throwing for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in six starts (seven overall appearances), completing just 57.8 percent of his passes while taking 19 sacks. He was ultimately benched for P.J. Walker.
He doesn't offer the ideal resume, in other words, though the 49ers are running out of options. It's a potential marriage that makes sense, in other words, despite the red flags.
Brock Purdy: Tom Brady is 'The GOAT. He’s Been Playing...Longer Than I’ve Been Alive'
Dec 5, 2022
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, left, passes against Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is slated to make his first career NFL start in Week 14. Opposite him will be Tom Brady, likely making his 330th start.
"Pretty cool," Purdy said of the matchup, per Peter King of NBC Sports. "The GOAT. He's been playing football longer than I've been alive."
Purdy was born before Brady made his NFL debut, but only barely. The rookie was about four months old when Brady was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, going on to win seven Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A seventh-round pick in 2022, Purdy will hope for a similar trajectory in his NFL career after getting his chance in the spotlight.
Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury on Sunday, forcing the 49ers to go further down the depth chart after already losing Trey Lance earlier in the year. Purdy stepped up and threw two touchdown passes in a 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins.
It sets the stage for Purdy to go head to head with arguably the greatest quarterback of all time when the 49ers face the Buccaneers next Sunday.
