The San Francisco 49ers made headlines this offseason by adding wide receiver Mike Evans and bringing back linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Both players bring strong resumes and plenty of experience. However, not everyone believes those moves will pay off.
Colin Cowherd Raises Concerns
NFL analyst Colin Cowherd recently raised concerns about the direction taken by head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. His criticism had little to do with talent. Instead, he questioned whether the 49ers are relying too heavily on veteran players who have dealt with injuries in recent years.
Worrying Trend in Roster Construction
Speaking on a recent episode of “The Colin Cowherd Show”, Cowherd explained why he is skeptical about San Francisco's approach. "They're really old and really expensive and really brittle," Cowherd said. He followed that up by pointing to a reality every NFL team faces: "Older players get hurt more often and take longer to recover. And in football, you know, you're getting tackled. There's a lot of a regulated level of violence."
Cowherd specifically highlighted the additions of Mike Evans and Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw returned to San Francisco after a difficult stint with the Denver Broncos that included injury setbacks. Evans arrives with a Hall of Fame-caliber résumé and remains one of the league's most productive receivers. Yet both players have dealt with health concerns during different stages of their careers.
Beyond the New Additions
For Cowherd, the issue goes beyond those two names. He believes the 49ers continue to commit major resources to established veterans. Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle remain central pieces of the roster. All three can still dominate games, but injuries have also become part of their recent storylines.
That led Cowherd to a broader point. He suggested the 49ers sometimes hold onto players longer than they should. He referenced former San Francisco receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk while discussing how the organization handles roster turnover.
Comparison to Division Rivals
Cowherd also compared the 49ers to division rivals that have taken a different route. "Seattle and the Rams, they don't get nostalgic at all. I think the Niners have gotten kind of nostalgic," he said on the show.
Debate Over Offseason Moves
His comments add another layer to the debate surrounding San Francisco's offseason. On paper, Evans and Greenlaw strengthen a roster that still expects to compete for a championship. Yet Cowherd believes the bigger question is availability, not ability. The talent is obvious. The concern, according to Cowherd, is whether a roster built around several veteran stars can stay healthy enough to survive a long NFL season and make a serious Super Bowl run.
