49ers News: AT LONG LAST…. GAME DAY

Branch: Still feeling pain, 49ers begin journey that almost always ends poorly (paywall)

“On July 26, 166 days after the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Foerster’s emotions remained at the surface. He explained that he blamed himself for Burford’s error, which was followed by Kansas City’s title-winning touchdown drive.

“It weighs on you,” he said. “I’m going to get choked up.”

Three days later, Banks was asked about what advice or comfort he has been able to offer Burford.

“Um,” he began, pausing for four seconds. “Sore subject … I’m going to pass on that one.”

On Monday, nearly seven months after Super Bowl LVIII, the 49ers will run their first offensive play that matters since the ill-fated play that lingers. They will open the 2024 season against the Jets at Levi’s Stadium, which will mark their first step in a journey that almost always ends poorly.

Only three of the first 57 teams to lose a Super Bowl have returned to win a championship the following season, with the 2018 Patriots the only team to do so since 1972. Why is it so hard? Foerster and Banks provided insight into a hangover effect caused by anguish, an emotion that tight end George Kittle maintains won’t affect the latest Super Bowl loser.”

Brock Purdy’s college reunion: Why 49ers’ opener vs. Jets has Iowa State flavor (paywall)

“The backstory dates back to Campbell’s decision in 2019 to house the freshman Hall with a sophomore Purdy, who’d already been living with star linebacker Mike Rose.

“(Purdy and Rose) were a year older and growing superstars on our team, and I could see that Breece was going to be that way,” Campbell said. “And what I found was Breece was really good for those guys. He’s got elite confidence. Like Brock and Mike, he’s an unbelievable competitor — and he was able to bring a sense of calmness to Brock. He’s so calm, cool and collected in the moment.”

Those are traits Purdy has leveraged to big success early in his NFL career, and Campbell believes that living with Hall helped the quarterback sharpen them.

“On the flip side, I think what Brock brought to Breece was, ‘Here’s what excellence looks like in practice every day — here’s how to become a pro in your approach of studying a game,’” Campbell said. “I feel that those two helped each other immensely in their time here. They were two absolutely similar competitors’ hearts.

“I feel exactly what I wanted to get out of those guys being roommates was what we were able to get out of it. What they were able to do for our team was transformational, but how they transformed each other’s lives was really special.”

Jets’ Breece Hall ready to face college roommate Brock Purdy

“Running back Breece Hall will face his old college roommate during “Monday Night Football” at Levi’s Stadium. He and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy got along so well at Iowa State that they lived together for two years in school, competing in video games, enjoying music (Purdy had an electric piano in his room) and chiding third roommate Mike Rose for his sloppy habits.

Their best day was Sunday, when the trio gathered in their living room to watch NFL games. Looking back, Rose said they always knew Hall had the talent to play in the league. Rose credited Purdy with pressing Hall into becoming a better player.

“It definitely got competitive,” Rose, a former Cyclones linebacker, told ESPN. “Breece and Brock would definitely go at it. They were always trying to one-up each other, whether it was Madden or anything.

“Brock was always harder on Breece to get him to come along a little bit, just like with football and stuff. Brock was the perfect example of how to go about it. Brock was kind of like a good mentor for Breece. I think Brock would always poke fun at him.”

Purdy was hyper-focused, a film junkie who embraced preparation. He “always pushed Breece in that way to become more of a pro and stuff like that,” according to Rose. Hall echoed that sentiment, calling Purdy the “ultimate leader. Just being around him for 2½ years, it made me a better person. He rubs off on you.”

Rose and Purdy lived together for a semester, then invited Hall, who had a first-floor bedroom off the kitchen. They didn’t throw any parties (“We were kind of lame,” Rose said), but they had a lot of laughs.”

Report: 49ers’ expectation is Pearsall will play in Week 5 when eligible

“He was actually at the facility and Kyle Shanahan said he was pushing to play against the Jets. My understanding is when he is eligible in Week 5, the expectation is he will play there, so great news on Pearsall.”

Jets’ Hall details ‘respectful’ chats with 49ers great Craig, who is his cousin

“He’s actually just been really respectful of just my time and everything,” Hall told reporters. “So, he’ll always text me good luck or a joke or something like that, but we won’t get into too much depth because I have a lot of stuff to do.

“I have to lock in for the game and everything, so we’ll definitely text a bit, joke around about it and everything. But, for the most part, my family is really respectful of my time.”

Watch 49ers QB Purdy’s wild reaction to Iowa State win vs. Iowa

“Both players placed their annual bet on the game, though Purdy has kept quiet about the exact details of the wager.”