When the San Francisco 49ers selected former Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey ninth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, the long-term idea was he’d be the heir apparent for the team’s longest-tenured player, veteran left tackle Joe Staley.
Through two seasons, the soon-to-be 36-year-old Staley has stuck around, keeping McGlinchey on the far right of the offensive line.
But there are suggestive reports Staley could consider retiring this offseason after an injury-filled 2019 campaign, which ultimately saw the former 2007 first-round draft pick fall just short again of his dream to win a Super Bowl.