The rebuilding process for the San Francisco 49ers defense has officially begun.
Multiple reports have indicated that inside linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive end Justin Smith plan to retire from the team. Willis is expected to make an official announcement Tuesday.
Patrick Willis is retiring from the 49ers at age 30. He played 8 seasons in SF making the Pro Bowl in 7 of them. pic.twitter.com/AOy4vxRPU4
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 9, 2015
Justin Smith will join Patrick Willis to retire from 49ers, sources tell @ProFootballTalk
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) March 9, 2015
Speculation was that Justin Smith’s retirement was highly anticipated, but the Willis news came as a surprise to much of the football world. Willis, 30, was the 11th overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. He made seven pro bowls, including five first-team All-Pro selections, in his eight-year career. The star backer accumulated 950 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 8 interceptions during his NFL tenure.
Smith, 35, was drafted fourth overall in 2001 by the Cincinnati Bengals. On March 1, 2008, Smith signed a six-year, $45 million deal with the Niners and his production didn’t slow down. Smith earned five pro bowl selections from 2009-2013, including three All-Pro honors. The 14-year veteran concluded his career with 880 tackles, 87 sacks and 17 forced fumbles.
If Patrick Willis and Justin Smith retire, the 49ers are taking the biggest early off-season hits along with those in free agency.
— John Clayton (@ClaytonESPN) March 9, 2015
Longtime defensive stalwarts and Hall-of-Fame hopefuls, the 49ers must look to Aaron Lynch, Chris Borland and Corey Lemonier to coexist with NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith along an overhauled front seven.
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