The San Francisco 49ers are at a bit of a crossroads with a massively important training camp after missing the playoffs in 2024. Brock Purdy is now one of the richest players in NFL history, Deebo Samuel is gone, and time is running out for this era of the roster to finally get over the hump and win a Super Bowl.
With no Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from a torn ACL, the wide receiver room is in flux. Jauan Jennings will presumably open the season as Purdy's top target alongside tight end George Kittle, though guys like Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson are around as well.
There's an opportunity for some depth pieces to shine, but one veteran wideout is fairly obviously auditioning for a gig with another team, as he'll surely be cut.
Russell Gage TOUCHDOWN
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49ers WR Russell Gage Already Auditioning for Next Job at Training Camp
Russell Gage, who was signed on a one-year deal worth just over $1 million, is off to a solid start at camp. He's displayed a connection with Purdy, and his veteran savvy helps complement a young position group.
That said, he's 29 years old and hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2022. This is someone with two seasons of over 700 receiving yards in his career, yet he's fighting an uphill battle to stick around.
In addition to Aiyuk, Jennings, Pearsall, and Robinson, San Francisco has Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, Equanimeous St. Brown, Junior Bergen, and Tyrique Owens. Those are a lot of players to battle against, and even if Gage breaks camp on the 53-man roster, he'll likely be waived once Aiyuk returns to the field. Given that reality, Gage is actively trying to prove to other teams that he belongs with an organization.
Unless Aiyuk suffers some sort of significant setback, it's hard to imagine Gage being on the roster come December and January. He looks healthy now, and he's among the most accomplished receivers in the group, though that says more about the dire situation than it does about the player himself.
These upcoming preseason games will be crucial. If Gage can showcase that chemistry he's built with Purdy and make some big plays, it'll show head coach Kyle Shanahan that he's worth a shot. If not, he'll once again be looking for a new franchise amidst a battle with his football mortality.
At worst, Gage could be a practice squad guy or potential trade chip. At best, however, he projects as a fifth or sixth wideout on this team. Provided the state of the offense and the need to invest in youth, Gage's days in San Francisco feel numbered.