Latest news with #ColtonMcKivitz
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Urged To Sign Purdy Protector Amid Impending Retirement
49ers Urged To Sign Purdy Protector Amid Impending Retirement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Francisco 49ers have a decent offensive line. In their offseason rankings, Pro Football Network has them placed as the 15th best unit in the NFL with a respectable 80.2 grade. Advertisement Most of that production is credited to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who is among the most respected and feared linemen in football when he's on the field. Last season, however, he dealt with injury and the rest of the unit saw a concerning drop in production during his absence. Williams, who is about to turn 37, is in the twilight of his career, and while he hasn't slowed down much, retirement is imminent in the next few years. That is why ESPN believes the 49ers should get ahead of business with the rest of the offensive line and re-sign right tackle Colton McKivitz. "McKivitz's contract ends after the 2025 season, and the 49ers don't want to be stuck having to replace both tackles at the same time," reporter Aaron Schatz wrote. Advertisement This shouldn't be a major contract, but maybe a two-year cushion should suffice and protect the 49ers from the event of a surprise Williams retirement. McKivitz has starting experience in San Fran and has shown considerable improvement each season, but he's still got a long way to go in ultimately filling Williams' shoes. The 2020 fifth rounder had a down season in 2024, ranking 52nd out of 66 qualifying tackles with an 85.9 percent pass block win rate. As a group, the Niners O-line struggled more in protecting the pass than the run, especially toward the end of the year without Williams in the lineup. PFN noted that the 49ers gave up a 37.1 percent pressure rate to opposing rushers. That number seems inflated, but it isn't all the fault of the offensive line. Quarterback Brock Purdy held onto the ball for an average of over three seconds in the pocket, which was the sixth-highest mark in the league. Advertisement San Francisco is likely to let this season play out with McKivitz on a contract year, hoping he is motivated to perform at a high level and earn his next deal. Williams has assured fans that he believes he can play until he's at least 40, but on a relatively aging offense around young QB Purdy, it's never a bad thing to have long-term stability at crucial positions. Related: George Kittle Gets Brutally Honest About Retirement Plans Related: 49ers McCaffrey Update Boosts Confidence for Impactful Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers former 5th-round pick could be playing for huge new contract in 2025
The San Francisco 49ers will return most of their offensive starters from last season in 2025, and that trend will continue in the 2026 offseason. However, one name sticks out as a free-agent-to-be who could be in line for a massive raise from the 49ers next year. Right tackle Colton McKivitz is entering the final year of his contract with the 49ers. Before last season he signed a one-year contract extension worth up to $5.85 million with $3.785 million in new guarantees according to Over the Cap. That puts the 2020 fifth-round pick in line for unrestricted free agency next year after signing a pair of short-term new deals. Entering 2025 it doesn't appear McKivitz will break the bank as a free agent. Some may even argue the 49ers would be okay letting him walk and replacing him with a draft pick. However, over the last two years McKivitz has gone from a passable RT to something closer to an above-average starter. Entering the 2023 campaign McKivitz had played in only 28 games with five starts across three seasons. He was even waived before the 2021 season and eventually spent part of the year on the practice squad. In 2023 he took over as the full-time starter at right tackle and had a rough go despite playing his natural position. Pro Football Focus had McKivitz down for a whopping 47 pressures and nine sacks in 573 pass blocking snaps during his first season as a starter. He also posted a 94.8 pass blocking efficiency mark, which ranked 52nd among 58 OTs with at least 580 pass blocking snaps. It was not a good showing and certainly produced questions about his long-term viability as a bookend to left tackle Trent Williams. The 49ers were rewarded for rolling with McKivitz in 2024. His play improved dramatically, particularly in the second half of the year. He allowed 36 pressures and just two sacks in 645 pass blocking snaps. His efficiency jumped to 96.9, which ranked 27th out of 60 OTs with at least 580 pass blocking snaps. His numbers in the second half give some credence to the theory that McKivitz just needed to find his NFL legs at his natural position. After spending his entire four-year college career at RT, the 49ers tried moving him to the interior before flipping him to left tackle when Williams was hurt. Now he's getting to permanently stick at his most familiar spot and he's producing. In his first seven games last year he gave up 19 pressures, six QB hits and one sack. Over the final 11 games McKivitz allowed just 17 pressures, zero QB hits and one sack. It was a marked improvement for a player who'd struggled so mightily the year prior. There's a chance McKivitz plateaus in his NFL improvement and limits his market where the 49ers may be able to retain him at an affordable rate. If his ascension continues, on the other hand, McKivitz could be in for a sizable raise that annually far exceeds his career earnings of just over $9 million. If he does improve at that rate, it will put San Francisco's offensive line in a very good spot in 2025. It may also put them in the market for a new, less expensive right tackle next offseason. More 49ers: 49ers first-round pick identified as top candidate for 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Find Brock Purdy Protection in Latest NFL Mock Draft
The San Francisco 49ers are in the process of "re-tooling" their entire team. It's not quite a rebuild, but it's close. General manager John Lynch has dumped some salaries through trades and cuts in anticipation of improving the offensive line and key skill positions and possibly extending quarterback Brock Purdy. In the interest of shoring up the offensive line, writer Mike Band has the 49ers selecting Missouri tackle Armand Membou at No. 11. "Membou offers a rare blend of size (332 pounds) and athleticism (he ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine) that is ideal for Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone scheme. He could challenge Colton McKivitz for the right tackle job immediately or slot in at guard as a rookie if Trent Williams and McKivitz remain healthy. "San Francisco's in-person meeting with Membou in Indy only strengthens the belief that he's on the Niners short list of potential long-term building blocks." Fellow writer Chad Reuter thinks LSU's Will Campbell is the better option. "Campbell's relatively short arms (32 5/8 inches) and narrow frame (77 3/8-inch wingspan) may push him inside at the next level, but the 49ers are thrilled to see him available here to challenge for the open left guard spot."Like the Colts Braden Smith and others, Campbell may eventually get the chance to prove himself outside to replace Trent Williams or Colton McKivitz." Bookmark for news, commentary & opinion all season. Follow Timm Hamm on X for all the college football & NFL news, updates & analysis throughout the season. Make sure to check out for the latest sports news and opinion.
