No longer can the team rely on their workhorse and team’s security blanket over the past decade as RB Frank Gore left via free-agency to join the Indianapolis Colts. No longer can the team depend on the heart and soul of the defense for the past eight seasons as ILB Patrick Willis abruptly retired after suffering a nagging toe injury.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, how about the loss of arguably the best young inside linebacker in the NFL retiring from the game, as ILB Chris Borland shocked the world with his retirement after just one season.