49ers mailbag: Predicting McCaffrey’s impact, Bosa’s campaigning, Purdy’s value

SANTA CLARA – Mail call, on our way out the door for the 49ers’ only bye week this season:

Which player is going to have a big second half and help the team the most? Which player has been a disappointment? (@SFG_soccer)

Christian McCaffrey is the easy answer, if his hard road back from Achilles tendinitis leads him back into practice next week and presumably into games promptly thereafter. If not, look for Fred Warner to revert into early-season MVP mode as his troublesome ankle and steely mindset recharge over the bye.

As for the 49ers’ biggest disappointment, gosh, must we pick on just one player when so many have had breakdowns through four defeats? Expectations were higher for Leonard Floyd (three sacks) because of his two-year, $20 million contract that was the 49ers’ richest in free agency, but he’s made some key plays and started every game. De’Vondre Campbell wasn’t expected to regain his 2021 All-Pro form, but Deebo Samuel was and he has totaled one receiving touchdown, one rushing touchdown, and one scary bout with pneumonia.

Niners media been quiet about the Bosa MAGA hat situation? (Unlike) Kap, Bosa gets a pass. (@underwoodshoots) Could Bosa’s postgame gesture create tension in the locker room? (@emharo)

As the 2016 presidential election neared, Colin Kaepernick intersected sports and politics (and society) to become the most polarizing player I’ve ever reported on (in an objective, impartial role, as this job requires). Bosa’s campaigning seemed more playful than contentious as he showed off a “Make America Great Again” hat while crashing NBC’s postgame interviews of his teammates. He could have expanded on his political views in his ensuing press conference, but instead only offered that it is an “important time” heading into next Tuesday’s election.

As for potential locker room tension, there hasn’t been any vocal chatter about politics during open locker room with media present, though Monday’s access could be more revealing because it’s on Election Eve.

While Bosa’s actions could draw an NFL fine for its uniform code – the league office has been mute on this – it won’t compare to the magnitude of attention cast on the 49ers eight years ago with Kaepernick. Unless Bosa wants it to. The 49ers are off until Monday, the election is Tuesday, then a game at Tampa Bay is on Sunday.

How do the players and team cope or handle a devastating tragedy like Ward’s? (@lololin86)

Monday’s death of Charvarius Ward’s toddler daughter, Amani Joi, surely will rally support from his teammates in his grieving process. The 49ers have endured a lot of numbing events since February’s Super Bowl defeat: rookie Ricky Pearsall surviving a gunshot through his chest a week before the season opener, plus the NFL’s injury impacts (see: McCaffrey’s Achilles issues, Brandon Aiyuk’s knee injury). They must circle the wagons again, have their teammate’s back and block out any distracting emotions so they can pour all else into winning the next game, then the next one, etc.

Who do you think the Niners are looking to trade for? (@devildawg0801)

John Lynch said on KNBR that they weren’t looking at Diontae Johnson before Carolina shipped him to Baltimore, so perhaps that confirms wide receiver is not seen as an urgent need despite Aiyuk’s absence (unless they’re eyeing someone else such as Kendrick Bourne). The 49ers need to get help for their defensive line, preferably a versatile one who can rush on the edge and inside.

Any predictions on Purdy’s contract next year? (@obmefford)

Trending back up after beating the Cowboys with 260 passing yards (one touchdown, no interceptions) and as many rushing yards (56) as Dallas’ entire output. Thus, the $1 million QB improved to 3-0 against Dak Prescott, a $60-million-per-year QB. So Purdy deserves $61 million annually, right? That could be the market rate when he becomes eligible for an extension next year. My sense is Purdy will not make a hard-line stand for a record contract, but agree to a more team-friendly structure, in Tom Brady-esque fashion.

Still, assuming he remains healthy and on this ascending path, Purdy should command over $55 million annually. That is what Joe Burrow (Bengals), Jordan Love (Packers) and Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) received in their extensions, the latter two quarterbacks signing those deals last June. The 49ers have openly talked about paying Purdy, not just to make up for his bargain rate as the 2022 NFL Draft’s last pick, but for his current and future fortunes in the win column.

When is JJ coming back? (@andylewwho26)

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is expected back next week, for the first time since a hip injury was reported after the Oct. 10 win in Seattle. He has missed only five of 68 games in 4 1/2 seasons.

Is CMC really coming back? (@compaa57)

Read next week’s mailbag. There’s no guarantee any of us make it back from the bye weekend.