Briana McDonald
When the San Francisco 49ers open training camp next week, they'll welcome the largest rookie class of the Kyle ShanahanJohn Lynch era. Eleven draft picks, plus six undrafted free agents, a total of 17 rookies. Not since 2016 has the organization brought in such a big influx of first-year talent, a reality that has challenged the locker room's leaders to raise the bar when it comes to mentorship.
FullbackKyle Juszczyk, entering his ninth season with San Francisco, says the veterans recognized early on that this offseason would require a different approach.
"It's always an emphasis that you want to bring the guys along, but this year more than any,"Juszczyk told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. "That was kind of a fun, unique challenge."
The 49ers leaned into that challenge even before OTAs began. Juszczyk shared that he and running backChristian McCaffreywere already discussing the importance of guiding the rookies back in February and March.
"I remember Christian and I texting... We were like, we need to take this to another level of bringing these guys along because we're going to need them," Juszczyk said. "And I think we got some of the right guys for the job."
For veterans like Juszczyk, this offseason also provided something rare: extra time to recover before ramping up training. That reset allowed the team to fully recharge and enter camp with renewed energy.
"This offseason we had more rest than usual, so I was able to really take that time to heal from last season and then get into some really hard training," he said. "Years prior, that was kind of sped up a little bit But it feels like it's been so long since last offseason that I'm so ready to play. I was so excited once we did get to the hard training to do that. So it's been a great offseason, honestly."
That readiness has extended into his evaluation of the rookies. Juszczyk pointed to fourth-round wide receiverJordan Watkinsand the 49ers rookie defensive linemen as examples of first-year players making early impressions.
"I've seen a lot of good things in OTAs," Juszczyk said. "I loved what Jordan Watkins was doing, man. I'm really excited about what he can do for the offense, and that's a position where we're going to need some help early on withBrandon Aiyukbeing injured. I think he's one of the guys that can step in and make an impact. I mean, there's a lot of them, all those guys on the defensive line, we're going to need them."
With veterans stepping up as leaders and a large rookie class expected to contribute early, the 49ers are focused on making sure their newest players are ready to play meaningful roles when camp begins.
Up Next
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Make History in Dubai | First NFL Team to Launch in UAE
Latest Videos Channel
49ers FLAG x SF City Girls Flag Skills Camp
Latest Videos Channel
49ers PREP x SF City Taube Tackle Skills Camp
Latest Videos Channel
49ers EDU Selects Bay Area Teachers as 2025 'Follow Your Bliss' Award Recipients
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Foundation Host High School Female Student-Athletes for T.H.I.N.K. Gold Conference
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Host High School Students for 'Foundation for Success' Event
Latest Videos Channel
Mini Camp Breakdown, Bryce Huff Deal & Lindsey's Last Pod | 1st & 10
Latest Videos Channel
Christian McCaffrey and Bryce Huff Share Offseason Mindset, Team Goals
Latest Videos Channel
Saleh Breaks Down Defensive Identity, Rookie Standouts & Huff's Impact
Latest Videos Channel
Williams, Lenoir Talk Offseason Focus, Stepping Into Leadership
Latest Videos Channel
Shanahan Talks Injuries, Offseason Progress & Key Veterans
Latest Videos Channel
Purdy, Kittle, Warner Locked In & OTA Takeaways | 1st & 10
Latest Videos Channel
Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, Mac Jones on SEAL Workouts and Team Chemistry
Latest Videos Channel
Lombardi, Bradley, Kocurek, Turner Jr., and Holland Discuss 2025 Season Goals
Latest Videos Channel
George Kittle, Fred Warner on Leadership, Rookies, and 49ers Offseason Energy
Latest Videos Channel
Kyle Shanahan on Offseason Reset, First Impressions from OTAs
Latest Videos Channel
Fred Warner's Top Plays from His 49ers Career (So Far)
Latest Videos Channel
The Rise of San Francisco's QB1: Brock Purdy
Latest Videos Channel
Brock Purdy Addresses Media Following Five-Year Contract Extension
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Lock In Their QB1: Brock Purdy Signs 5-Year Contract Extension
Latest Videos Channel
Brock Purdy's Top Plays from His 49ers Career (So Far)
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Foundation's 2025 Golden Getaway
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Invasions are Back for the 2025 Season
Latest Videos Channel
San Francisco 49ers 2025 Schedule Release | Golden Trail
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Rookies Share Draft Reactions and Goals for First NFL Minicamp
Latest Videos Channel
Robert Saleh, Klay Kubiak, Brant Boyer Set the Tone for 49ers 2025 Season
Latest Videos Channel
49ers PREP Highlights Eden Enoru for Women's History Month
Latest Videos Channel
49ers EDU Participate in Read Across America Week
Latest Videos Channel
George Kittle's Top Plays from His 49ers Career (So Far)
Latest Videos Channel
'GMFB' Reacts to George Kittle's New Four-Year Contract with 49ers
Latest Videos Channel
Locked In: George Kittle Signs a Four-Year Extension with the 49ers
Latest Videos Channel
Behind the Scenes of George Kittle's Four-Year Extension with the 49ers
Latest Videos Channel
49ers 2025 NFL Draft Recap | 1st & 10
Latest Videos Channel
49ers Player Personnel Talk 2025 NFL Draft Process
Latest Videos Channel
John Lynch Recaps Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft | 49ers
Latest Videos Channel
Junior Bergen's Journey to the 49ers | 2025 NFL Draft
Latest Videos Channel
Connor Colby Talks 49ers Fit and Future | 2025 NFL Draft
Latest Videos Channel
Meet Kurtis Rourke: 49ers Seventh-Round Pick | 2025 NFL Draft
Latest Videos Channel
Welcoming Jordan Watkins to The Bay | 2025 NFL Draft
Latest Videos Channel
Jordan James Reflects on Being Drafted by the 49ers | 2025 NFL Draft
