San Francisco 49ers Players Face Potential Dismissal Following 2025 Minicamp
Unwrap of the 49ers' Woes
The San Francisco 49ers are feeling the burn after a tumultuous past season. With aspirations of regaining the NFC West crown, they're gearing up to shrug off their misfortunes and step into the spotlight once again. But unfortunately, not everyone will be along for the ride. A trio of 49ers players are facing the ax at the 2025 minicamp, with two former locks now playing a dangerous game of NFL roulette.
John Lynch confessed that last season was an uphill battle, and the 49ers felt the bruises of poor play and inconsistency around them. expectations soared when they narrowly missed the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, yet they ultimately came crashing down. Injuries struck, off-field incidents took center stage, and the season went sour quickly.
As the 49ers embark on a fresh start, some players might take a hike.
Slipping through the Gage
Russell Gage Jr. has struggled to find his footing since joining the fray in the NFL. His underwhelming tenure includes just two complete seasons and a precarious position facing minicamp.
Gage, a sixth-round pick out of LSU in 2018, has made 74 appearances and started 25 games. His progress seemed promising until injuries derailed his journey. A series of injuries and team shuffles sidelined him since 2022. In the 49ers' roster since 2024, Gage's beginning was as a practice squad member.
Gage's shot at redemption rests solely on his performance during the 49ers minicamp. Simultaneously, Brandon Aiyuk's health is a factor, but Gage finds himself fourth in the pecking order behind Jacob Cowing, Isaiah Neyor, Isaiah Hodgins, and Jordan Watkins. To have a fighting chance, Gage must deliver a show-stopping performance during the minicamp.
Robert Beal's push for defense
The 49ers' special teams were a wreck in 2025. In fact, the state of affairs was so dire that Kyle Shanahan parted ways with Brian Schneider, signaling that changes were needed.
Robert Beal was one of the few shining lights amid the chaos. After choosing him in the fifth round in 2023, the 49ers held high hopes for Beal. As a special teams savior, he delivered when called upon. However, his season came to an end prematurely due to a nagging ankle injury. When drafted by the 49ers, they envisioned Beal as a versatile defensive contributor. Regrettably, he accumulated only one sack in his first three seasons as a professional. In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers poured resources into their defensive line. Is Beal still a reliable option on defense, or will they opt for a more potent newcomer instead?
Sprite of hope lies in Beal's prowess on special teams. Yet the roster is brimming with talent at defensive end, potentially prompting the 49ers to consider another option at that position. The only silver lining is Beal's impressive ability to break off the line. Nevertheless, he needs to step up his game significantly and evolve into an all-around player if he intends to don the red and gold of the 49ers.
Moody's last-ditch effort to make the kick
Whispers were abound that the 49ers might draft a new kicker to boot out Jake Moody following his woeful sophomore showing. Instead, they opted to ink Greg Joseph to a one-year deal, setting the stage for a ruthless minicamp showdown. The fate of Moody, a third-round pick in 2023, potentially hangs by a thread.
Last season, Moody went 11-for-20 on field goal attempts, enduring one of the most dismal sophomore slumps seen in recent years. To make matters worse, his misses had consequences. He missed a crucial field goal in a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he miss three field goals before finally connecting on the game-winner, but the missed attempts proved costly. On the list of missed kicks, his missed extra point against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl is a shining example. Had he scored the point, the 49ers would have led 17-13 instead of 16-13, forcing the Chiefs to go for a touchdown instead of settling for a field goal with the clock running down. With the door ajar, Moody is out to prove he can rebound.
No margin for error lies ahead for Moody, who must perform at his peak in the minicamp to avoid being cut. The past is in the rearview mirror, and only a solid showing can secure his spot on the 2025 roster.
The Fate of Gage, Beal, and Moody
As of the 2025 minicamp, here's a rundown of Russell Gage Jr., Robert Beal, and Jake Moody's current standing with the 49ers:
Russell Gage Jr.
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Status: Gage Jr. is listed as a wide receiver on the 49ers' depth chart.
- Contract/Notes: On a league minimum contract or practice squad spot, Gage Jr. is not among the top starters but a part of the active roster for training camp and minicamp.
- Role: Gage Jr. is competing for a depth or special teams position, free of any noted injuries or unconventional statuses.
Robert Beal
- Position: Linebacker
- Status: Beal does not appear in the primary depth chart listings or recent roster breakdowns.
- Possibility: Likely further down the depth chart or a practice squad candidate, staffing shifts are yet to be officially declared.
Jake Moody
- Position: Kicker
- Status: As of now, Moody is not listed on the 2025 depth chart or roster, signaling he might have been released, traded, or left the active roster following minicamp.
- Context: A situation vacancy is seen at the kicker position, putting Moody's future with the team in question as Greg Joseph has taken over the role.
Summary Table
| Player | Position | Current Status (Post-2025 Minicamp) ||-----------------|---------|----------------------------------|| Russell Gage Jr. | WR | Active roster/competing for spot || Robert Beal | LB | Potential depth/practice squad || Jake Moody | K | Not listed/replaced by Greg Joseph |
In light of the 2025 minicamp events, the current status of Russell Gage Jr., Robert Beal, and Jake Moody with the San Francisco 49ers is as follows:
Russell Gage Jr.
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Status: Active roster, competing for a depth or special teams position on the 49ers, with no reported injuries or unconventional statuses.
Robert Beal
- Position: Linebacker
- Status: Not primarily listed in the depth chart or recent roster breakdowns, with potential depth or practice squad candidacy, but official staffing shifts have yet to be announced.
Jake Moody
- Position: Kicker
- Status: Not included in the 2025 depth chart or roster post-minicamp, raising questions about his future with the team as Greg Joseph has assumed the role.
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