There is nothing certain about the upcoming NFL season, even if there will be an NFL season.
But the 49ers are confident in their approach.
Club officials are preparing as if the season is uninterrupted by the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
“We are preparing to play the 2020 season as scheduled. And that’s the only thing we can do right now, “49ers CEO Jed York said during the organization’s annual State of the Franchise event, which was held virtually and launched via the club’s website.
“We have to make sure that our main focus is to keep our players, coaches and fans healthy, and all the people who work in the game. And that is what we have done “.
The NFL canceled offseason programs for all 32 teams this spring. Coaches and players could meet through virtual technology, and players from across the league organized their own workouts.
The 49ers quarterbacks and receivers met in San Jose state and at Brentwood Academy, just south of Nashville, to exercise. Catcher Deebo Samuel suffered a broken foot during training last week and underwent surgery.
A player who participated in at least one of the training sessions in Tennessee tested positive for COVID-19.
Despite the complications and risks associated with playing soccer during a pandemic, team president Al Guido said he believes the season will move forward. The 49ers are in constant contact with Santa Clara medical and health officials, he said.
“We are working very hard with our county, and our county has been fantastic,” said Guido. “Our leaders, our political leaders, in California, have done an amazing job maintaining security. So we are literally working in communication with them around our return to sports and our return to games. And I’m sure we’ll have an NFL season. “
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The NFL released its 2020 calendar in May, and the 49ers are slated to open defenses for their NFC West and NFC titles on Sunday, September 13 against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers are then slated for consecutive games in East Rutherford, NJ against the New York Jets (September 20) and the New York Giants (September 27).
“We are very excited,” York said. “Obviously, each game will be a great game. Every game is going to be important. “
The 49ers have five games scheduled in primetime, four of which are scheduled to be played on their home field. The 49ers have high expectations after a disappointing end to the season. The 49ers squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs to lose Super Bowl LIV.
The 49ers come from a season that ended 13-3 during the regular season and clinched the division and home advantage in Week 17 with a dramatic 26-21 victory over Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.
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But even the last-place Arizona Cardinals gave the 49ers trouble last season, and bigger things are expected this season with sophomore quarterback Kyler Murray, whom York compared to Wilson.
“The Seahawks, as the regular season ended last year, there is obviously a tremendous unbelievable rivalry between us and the boys up north,” York said. “Just look at our division. . . . Is there a better top-down division in the National Football League?
“You have a young quarterback who reminds you a lot of Russ and the things he can do to play from anywhere on the field.” And you have the Rams who, by the way, were in the Super Bowl a few years ago. This is not an easy division, so it must start with the NFC West, and it is going to be a very, very difficult place to start, but this year there will be a lot of amazing football. “
