Picture this: Candlestick Park, January ’82. Third down. Season on the line. Montana scrambles, pressure bearing down. It feels like the whole franchise holds its breath. That moment, suspended between disaster and destiny? That’s the vibe swirling through Levi’s Stadium right now, only the pressure isn’t on a QB’s shoulders – it’s on Kyle Shanahan’s meticulously constructed front office.
After a jarring 6-11 stumble last season, the Niners aren’t just tweaking the roster; they’re fortifying the very foundation. Tariq Ahmad and RJ Gillen have both been promoted to VP of Player Personnel, and Matt Ploenzke has been promoted to VP of Football R&D, to support Shanahan in a move dripping with familiarity and foresight. And just like Montana finding Clark in the back of the end zone, they’ve made a connection that feels like kismet.
According to KRPC’s Aaron Wilson, it’s all about familiarity for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025. They’re also bringing former Vice President of Player Personnel Ethan Waugh back into the fold. This isn’t just another hire; it’s welcoming home a key architect who helped build the machinery that powered their recent runs to the brink of glory. Waugh, who spent the past three seasons as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ assistant GM (following a whopping 17-year climb through the Niners’ ranks), is back in the Bay. His departure after the 2022 season felt like losing a vital coordinator right before the playoffs; his return? Like plugging a Pro Bowler back into the starting lineup where he belongs.
Stay tuned while we bring you more details!
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