Man, Kyle Shanahan knows how to dish out that tough love doesn’t he? It reminds me a lot of when Vic Fangio was running the defense for the 49ers. Fangio wasn’t afraid to tell you why a player wasn’t getting more playing time or where they stood and Shanahan dropped that bomb today about Pettis.
Kyle’s right in the fact that Pettis isn’t going anywhere. Given that the 49ers had to trade up to draft him, they’ll give him another year or two before they cut bait. Dante Pettis is a second round pick. A second round pick the 49ers had to give up a third round pick to jump up and get him.
But they also have some decisions to make a wide receiver. They have Richie James proving he’s a competent kickoff returner and while Kendrick Bourne’s drops are nigh-maddening, he’s been showing some great stuff. Do we really want to see one of those guys, or Jordan Matthews get cut to keep Pettis on the team and give him another year.
Keep in mind, Pettis was seen as the reason the 49ers didn’t get more aggressive in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. To say that they had those expectations for him and he’s now still looking for a role with the coaching staff is odd.
So here’s a good question: Would it make any sense at all to cut Dante Pettis? Is he the odd man out on this receiver corps? It won’t happen, and I think he still has some good football left in him, but I’m curious if any of you can justify cutting him on the 53-man roster.
While you think on that, have some links:
49ers notebook: Trade calls could ‘heat up,’ Shanahan calls out Pettis, health improving (Biderman)
49ers running back Jeff Wilson fights for roster spot, scores two TDs (Chan)
Want Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard? 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan says they won’t be found on waiver wire (Branch)
49ers Notebook: Injury updates and a pass ‘that should never have left’ Garoppolo’s hand (KNBR)
Dante Pettis ‘still trying to earn a role’ with 49ers, says Kyle Shanahan (Sporting News)
5 Player Updates from Kyle Shanahan Following 49ers Preseason Win over Chiefs (49ers.com)
How will Dante Pettis respond to 49ers Shanahan’s demands? (Inman)
Kyle Shanahan looking for Dante Pettis to “earn a role” on the 49ers (Pro Football Talk)
49ers Roster Predictions: With Beathard in, who’s out? (KNBR)