LB Patrick Willis and DT Justin Smith Retire

[RamBill]

Rand Getlin ‏@Rand_Getlin

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

 

[NJRamsFan]

I'd like to say I'd be sad to see such a great player retire prematurely....but fuck the 9ers this would be a huge blow to their defense!

 

[V3]

Is this the shock that Florio was saying we'd be getting from SF today? If so, I'm not that shocked.

 

[ChrisW]

Watching Willis wasn't the same after SJax left. I looked forward to the battle between those two.

 

[RamsJunkie]

49ers bracing for Patrick Willis retirement

A source tells Yahoo the 49ers are expecting ILB Patrick Willis to retire.

Earlier Monday morning, PFT's Mike Florio teased a bomb coming out of San Francisco. We now know what it is. Willis is only 30 years old, so we're guessing this early retirement has to do with the troublesome toe injury that ended his 2014 season after six games. It would be a sad end to a dominant career that saw Willis get named a first-team All-Pro five times in eight seasons. His retirement would net the 49ers $7.4M in cap space.
Source: ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com
Mar 9 - 10:14 AM

 

[ZigZagRam]

Achilles' toe.

Willis was an amazing LB. As much as I hate the 49ers, I never had anything but respect for Patrick Willis.

Assuming Bowman comes back near 100%, they won't be in bad shape with he and Chris Borland manning the middle.

 

[V3]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/09/san-fran-surprise-coming-monday/

San Fran surprise coming Monday
Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2015

Getty Images

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.

Sorry, I thought it would have been posted somewhere by now. Thanks for linking that for those that weren't aware.

 

[RamsFan14]

WOW... Very surprising, wish him the best! He was a great player in his prime, and like @ChrisW said, watching those battles between him and Jackson was a blast!

 

[12intheBox]

And Justin Smith - also retiring

 

[ZigZagRam]

Walter Sobchak: You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't wanna know about it, believe me.
The Dude: Yeah, but Walter...
Walter Sobchak: Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish. These fucking amateurs...

 

[RamsJunkie]

Justin Smith - DL - 49ers
Sources tell PFT 49ers RE Justin Smith is retiring.



Source: ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com
Mar 9 - 10:55 AM

 

[jsimcox]

Whiners gonna suck next year if both of these are true, especially if they're losing Gore too...

 

[Big Game]

all i can say is wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! So Willis will retire, Justin Smith may retire. They will have a new coach. And possibly lose Crabtree in Free agency. down goes the 49ers lol

 

[TheDYVKX]

Willis and Smith gone will help us a lot. Surprised that Willis is retiring, he's still fairly young for a LB and can stay play. Guess that toe is really bad.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Karpnerick rumored to be in trade discussions with bears eagles also. Big day in SF

 

[jjab360]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/09/san-fran-surprise-coming-monday/

San Fran surprise coming Monday
Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2015

Getty Images

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.

I swear, Florio has to be the most annoying sports writer of all time lol.

 

[12intheBox]

Iupati to the Jets, I hear.

That 9ers team will look kinda different.

 

[jjab360]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/09/patrick-willis-justin-smith-retiring-from-49ers/

Patrick Willis, Justin Smith retiring from 49ers
Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2015

Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers continue to see dramatic changes in a franchise only a year removed from three straight NFC title game appearances.

From coach Jim Harbaugh leaving (mutually or otherwise) to running back Frank Gore signing with the Eagles on Tuesday to the unexpected departure of receiver Michael Crabtree to the possible loss of guard Mike Iupati, the exodus of talented players continue.

The next two dominoes to fall will be linebackerPatrick Willis and defensive lineman Justin Smith.

Willis is the surprise that was referred to earlier today, and it’s a major one. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports Willis is strongly considering retirement. As PFT hears it, it’s a done deal, with the formal announcement coming Tuesday.

Per multiple league sources, Smith also is done — although that’s not a surprise. The 14-year veteran joined the 49ers as a free agent in 2008, and he had been in many respects the cornerstone of the defense.

Willis, a first-round pick in 2008 who turned 30 in January, is under contract through 2016. Smith is under contract through 2015. Their retirements could result in the partial repayment of bonus money they both previously received; whether that issue will be pursued will be up the to 49ers.

Like I said when the news of them trying to trade Kaepernick came out, 49ers are DONE. They had a nice run but they won't be competitors again for a long, long time.

 

[12intheBox]

Crabtree to the Bills?

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Oh happy days!

Anyone visiting any Niners boards with some good melt downs? I wish I knew some Whiner fans right now.