The San Francisco 49ers moved on from one of my least-favorite players on the roster in tight end Vance McDonald, and they got a fourth-round pick out of the transaction. To me, that’s a big win, and I’m excited to see where things go at the tight end position.
George Kittle now has a spotlight on him, and one of my favorite acquisitions, Kyle Juszczyk, should get more snaps than he was scheduled to before. I think Kittle being thrown into the deep end would be a good move at this point, and Juszczyk should be poised for a big season.
I do wish McDonald the best going forward. He never said anything that upset me and I genuinely wished good things for him in San Francisco, but he consistently frustrated me on the field. The Pittsburgh Steelers are not my favorite organization in football, but I have no ill will toward McDonald in the future.
Onto your links for the day.
With rookie George Kittle emerging, 49ers trade Vance McDonald (Barrows)
5 roster battles facing 49ers ahead of preseason finale (Biderman)
‘It’s hard to watch’: Earl Mitchell among many 49ers with family in Houston (Barrows)
49ers’ Ward doesn’t practice; Bowman provides input (Branch)
Reuben Foster getting acclimated faster than expected with 49ers (Biderman)
49ers Players Evaluate, Share Theories about ‘Game of Thrones’ Finale (49ers)
Jimmie Ward misses practice amid comeback from hamstring injury (Biderman)
Breaking down the Vance McDonald trade (Cohn)
Vance McDonald trade could make 49ers more flexible on cut-down day (Biderman)
Vance McDonald trade opens door for rookie TE George Kittle (ESPN)
49ers Release LB Sean Porter (49ers)
Analysis: Why 49ers had to move on from Vance McDonald (Biderman)
The 49ers tight end that most benefits from Vance McDonald trade is ... (Maiocco)
Undrafted 49ers rookies enter biggest week of their football lives (Maiocco)
‘Ahead of schedule’ Reuben Foster finding a home as an every down LB (ESPN)
Mostert Making a Strong Bid to Make 49ers Roster (NBC)
49ers final roster: Two or three QBs; Taumoepenu or Dial? (Barrows)
First round rookie review: Preseason Week 3 (PFF)
Could ‘wear and tear’ in Joe Staley’s knee keep him out of 49ers’ season opener? (Maiocco)
John Elway: 49ers in ‘great shape’ under new leadership (ESPN)