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The 49ers wrapped up their offseason workout program Thursday, which included three-plus weeks of organized team activities and a three-day string of mandatory mini-camp sessions.
They will have 41 days off before reconvening for training camp, tentatively set for Thursday, July 26. Players will approach the down period differently, as many are visit family out of town, while others stay in the area.
Jimmy Garoppolo said he will spend time with his family in Arlington Heights, Illinois before returning to the Bay Area. First-round pick Mike McGlinchey said he plans to spend the summer in North Wildwood, New Jersey with his family. (It’s worth noting that all rookies must attend a Rookie Transition Program, which features an onboarding process that educates players about on-field and off-field resources, in late June.)
The players have the freedom to choose how they spend the next five-plus weeks, but Kyle Shanahan has emphasized the importance of staying focused during the summer.
“Most guys are fine, but there’s always that small percent that hasn’t been scarred, that thinks they can just, A, relax and rest and be ready for training camp,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “What those people don’t realize is that you come to training camp thinking you’re going to get into shape in training camp, and you usually pull a hamstring on the first couple days, then you’re out for three weeks, then you come in for the last preseason game and you don’t totally feel right, and then you either don’t make the team, you don’t make practice squad, or you make it because of your history, but you don’t look the same in Week 1 because you haven’t gone through it all. It’s a trickle-down effect throughout the whole year.”
Prior to OTAs, Garoppolo got together with several skill players to work out. He said they plan to do the same during the summer.
On Wednesday, Shanahan praised Garoppolo and various offensive players for staying after Tuesday’s practice to iron out the wrinkles from a rough session. He will undoubtedly like that his players will work out together to prepare for training camp, when pads are involved and real football begins.
“You can’t recover if you take a month off,” Shanahan said. “If you don’t come to training camp right, it will affect how you play in Week 16.”