:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45554946/usa-today-8215945.0.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator search rolls along, and we have our first player endorsement of a candidate (good catch by user sdotlow). I would contend this is also one of the least surprising endorsements we could expect. Tight end Vernon Davis posted this on Instagram Monday morning. He included the following caption: "All I want for Christmas... is to meet #robchudzinski #OC"
I suggest this is not remotely surprising because Chudzinski has had solid history with tight ends. Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron had easily the best season of his career when Chudzinski was at the helm. During his two years as Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator, Chudzinski got some solid work from tight end Greg Olsen. These are both talented tight ends, but Chudzinski was able to work them into the offense even further. Eric Branch put together a solid article breaking down Chud's work with tight ends.
The San Francisco 49ers had great tight ends in 2011 and 2012, but they have been inconsistent since the departure of Delanie Walker. They were particularly bad in 2014, and that is one area where the next offensive coordinator needs to get things figured out.