At least one high-ranking member of the 49ers’ front office believes former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne will make more of a contribution in his second season of American football.
"I think you'll see a jump from him,'' said 49ers executive Paraag Marathe, as reported by Daniel Brown of the Mercury News. "You look at elite athletes and those guys who have that willpower and desire to succeed and there's something special in them."
Marathe spent the past two seasons as team president. His title was changed recently to chief strategy officer and executive vice president of football operations, but Marathe’s responsibilities on the football side remain intact.