The San Francisco 49ers decided to make some changes to the roster this offseason as they seek to bounce back in 2025.
Even though they had to make some tough decisions, the 49ers were able to retain some key guys. Quarterback Brock Purdy is on that list after landing a five-year, $265 million extension. Despite Deebo Samuel no longer in the fold and Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing a knee injury, another receiver has caught the attention of Purdy.
Jacob Cowing took the offseason personal, and it's already paying off. George Kittle gave him a shoutout during a Dwight Clark legacy event for putting some weight in the offseason.
Purdy did the same during an interview on 95.7 The Game. He said, "Jacob Cowing, his speed, his maturity, he's had a big offseason, too."
Brock Purdy Gives Jacob Cowing a Shoutout
Cowing was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Arizona. He came into the league as a player who could stretch the field vertically and has some twitchiness to his game. As a rookie, he only managed to log four catches for 80 yards in 15 games.
He likely hit that rookie wall in 2024 and decided to hit the ground running to take his game to another level. The Arizona native came into the league at 168 pounds, so the fact that he added some weight is a positive first step.
It doesn't sound like anything affected his speed, as that's one of the traits Purdy decided to signal out. With the reps available for the taking, Cowing understands there's a place for him to carve out a role in 2025.
Before OTAs even started, Cowing's approach to the game caught the eye of his teammates. That is likely the case for the coaches, and the 24-year-old hopes the 2025 campaign is his breakout year. He could become someone that Purdy looks at more in the coming months.