Patrick Willis Expected to retire

[Hangman]

@Rand_Getlin: Source: the #49ers are bracing themselves for the loss of LB Patrick Willis. Expecting him to retire.

 

[Hangman]

Ruthless Sports Guy‏@Ruthless_Sports

My source confirms: Patrick Willis is indeed retiring

 

[Hangman]

San Fran surprise coming Monday | ProFootballTalk


At a time when the 49ers are trying to shoot down rumors regarding a possible trade of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers soon will have another significant issue to deal with.

Some very surprising news related to the 49ers is coming, likely later today, regarding a key player on the team who won’t be on the team in 2015. A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday.

That’s all we can say for now. But when it happens, you’ll be shocked — even though you’re now duly braced to be shocked.

Meanwhile, feel free to make a guess in the comments. Winner gets a free one-year subscription to PFT.

 

[Hangman]

49ers Expect Patrick Willis To Retire
March 9th at 9:18am CST by Luke Adams
The big 49ers news hinted at by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk earlier today appears to involve linebacker Patrick Willis. According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the 49ers are bracing for the loss of Willis, who is expected to retire from the NFL.

While the Niners had been preparing for the possibility that veteran defensive end Justin Smith decides to call it a career this winter, the news of Willis potentially deciding to end his career comes as a surprise. Prior to a 2014 season cut short by injury, Willis had earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in each of his even seasons, and only turned 30 years old in January.

However, when he landed on the injured reserve list back in November, Willis revealed that the toe on which he was undergoing surgery had been a chronic issue, limiting his effectiveness for years.

“I don’t look to play this game for just another year,” Willis told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com at the time. “I feel like I have five or six more great years of football left in my body. Unfortunately, this toe was telling me otherwise.”

We’ve yet to hear from Willis himself that he’ll retire, and even if he does decide to bow out of the NFL, it’s not clear that it’s entirely due to the toe issues. However, given his stated desire to play “five or six more” seasons, the veteran linebacker presumably wouldn’t announce his retirement unless he felt his body wouldn’t allow him to continue playing.

 

[purguy12]

Im about to throw up in my Mouth. This makes no sense.

 

[Hangman]

Im about to throw up in my Mouth. This makes no sense.

He says he wants to become a preacher and help people. He has always been very religious and he also said his toe has been bad for years and gotten a lot worse. I can see where he is coming from. He only had like 4-5 years left anyway.

 

[jarntt]

Wow. A very quick drop for a team that was near the very top of the league just a couple of years ago to what they seem to be now.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Seriously, I love the guy. Best of luck to him.

 

[rjshull]

Im about to throw up in my Mouth. This makes no sense.

This makes perfect sense, he has had issues in the past, and with the FO would you want to waste a few more years on this team? Add in the possible concussions and brain damage from playing an additional 5 years. It sucks but it makes sense.

 

[rjshull]

Wow. A very quick drop for a team that was near the very top of the league just a couple of years ago to what they seem to be now.

That's what happens when you have shitty owners that screw over the coach that brought respectability and a winning way back to the 9ers. This drop is really going to hurt.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Dang, I always liked Pat Willis. Class act and great football player. Too bad injuries caught up with him. All the best to him.

 

[Hangman]

Borland and Wilhoite played well last year so they will step right up nicely. But Willis was the captain and the heart of the defense. Bowman needs to step up in that regard.

 

[Hangman]

Justin Smith retiring too

Matt Maiocco: "Right now, it doesn't look like Justin Smith or Patrick Willis will be on this team next year" #49ers #Niners

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Man Justin and Pat Willis retiring. That might just end San Fran's success on D in recent years. Justin Smith I always thought was the best defender on that team. He just transformed the pass rush.

 

[purguy12]

He says he wants to become a preacher and help people. He has always been very religious and he also said his toe has been bad for years and gotten a lot worse. I can see where he is coming from. He only had like 4-5 years left anyway.

4-5 years is a long time. This makes no sense. Im thinking its false.

 

[purguy12]

This makes perfect sense, he has had issues in the past, and with the FO would you want to waste a few more years on this team? Add in the possible concussions and brain damage from playing an additional 5 years. It sucks but it makes sense.

Makes 0 sense. He had the surgery and even the doctors said it went great. Im thinking this is false.

 

[Tubbs1518]

404 years is a long time. This makes no sense. Im thinking its false.

PFT confirmed both Willis and Smith retiring.

 

[Clayton]

Willis was definitely great but the Niners were probably the only team in the league that could absorb losing a guy of his caliber.

Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Frank Gore and probably Iuapati in the same offseason? I'm not saying they are rebuilding but they aren't going to be a Super Bowl contender next year.

 

[purguy12]

49ers about to become players in the FA market.

 

[Hangman]

Willis was definitely great but the Niners were probably the only team in the league that could absorb losing a guy of his caliber.

Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Frank Gore and probably Iuapati in the same offseason? I'm not saying they are rebuilding but they aren't going to be a Super Bowl contender next year.

Don't forget Crabtree, Culliver, and Cox. 49ers are going to be completely different.