Raiders tight end Darren Waller, former 49ers left tackle Joe Staley and a cadre of assistants with ties to both franchises are among this year’s nominees for Pro Football Writers of America’s off-field awards.
The Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award, for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach, will go to two recipients this year from eight nominees that include Raiders defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner, late offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick (49ers 1979-99) and late defensive line coach Floyd Peters (49ers 1976-77; San Francisco State; John Swett High-Crockett).
Waller’s breakout season in 2019, after a lengthy battle with drug and alcohol addiction, earned him a nomination Tuesday for the George Halas Award.