Guard Kyle Long, a three-time Pro Bowl player with the Chicago Bears, plans to return.
Long, 32, decided to end his retirement from the NFL after just one season away from the sport, reports Macon Gunter of the Green Light Pod.
Coincidentally, the 49ers have uncertainties in the right guard, where four different players started games during the 2020 season.
The 49ers could look for an interim veteran, like Long. Or they could move on with Daniel Brunskill or Colton McKivitz, a pick from the fifth round of the draft in 2020.
Long made three Pro Bowls from 2013 to ’15. But he has appeared in just 29 games in the past four seasons due to injuries to his shoulder, triceps, foot and ankle.
A year ago in Miami, Long talked to the NBC Sports Bay Area about what made the 49ers’ attack so successful in their march to Super Bowl LIV.
“There is a certain type of person they want there,” said Long. “They have an archetype, which is brilliant, resilient and probably great communicators.”
Long chose 49ers left guard Laken Tomlinson, who graduated from Duke University in anthropology and psychology. Tomlinson plans to become a neurosurgeon after his career is over.
“Laken can have open heart surgery. It can also diagnose blitz, ”said Long. “But he is also willing to stick his neck out there and steal someone.”
Long said he could tell when watching the 49ers game that it was a team with exceptional camaraderie. This, he said, is a tribute to general manager John Lynch, who was elected this year to the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
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“It is no surprise that John Lynch built this. He understands, ”said Long. “He’s been on both sides. And if I’m in a locker room and I know that John Lynch is responsible for choosing my teammates, I mean, what is it.
“Talk about the most alpha guy, one of the toughest people who has ever stepped on the field – this is John Lynch. Now is he responsible for forming teams? Come on, this is amazing. “
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