49ers Could be Trying to Force Jason Verrett Into the Starting Lineup

Jason Verrett saw his first bit of action for the 49ers on the field since Week 1 of 2021.

It was an odd thing to see him being thrown in against the Ravens at such a critical point of the game. What's even more odd is how Verrett was playing the slot. Kyle Shanahan explained on Wednesday that it was their plan to do so. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has also echoed that point at his press conference on Thursday.

"We wanted to give Verrett an opportunity and a chance to be able to get his feet wet, try to get back into the flow of things and seeing if he can be one of those guys that I think that can help us down the stretch here as we progress towards the playoffs.”

Unfortunately, the 49ers' decision to try to get Verrett's "feet wet" backfired as he would let up a touchdown in the five and only snaps he saw. It was extremely questionable to see the 49ers roll him out there, but Wilks didn't sound too concerned about his performance overall.

“I thought he worked within the defense. I thought his technique was good. On that one particular play, I felt like we teach chest to chest, particularly when you get in the end zone, you can't turn away from the receiver and that's what he did and he lost him in that split second when the ball was being thrown. So, definitely something that's correctable and coachable.”

Given how the 49ers placed Verrett into such a critical point of the game and these quotes from Wilks, it sounds like the 49ers are trying to force Verrett into the starting lineup. All personnel decisions go by Shanahan, so it makes sense why he would want Verrett back in the lineup. He remembers how Verrett held it down for the 49ers in 2020. And Verrett during that time was the best cornerback with the 49ers. Even better than Richard Sherman in 2019. 

It would make sense if Shanahan has a soft spot for him, which I think it is the case. Otherwise, why on earth play him at that point in the game? I guess Shanahan has seen enough or heard enough from his coaches that Verrett looks good in practice. But that didn't translate at all in the game. To get Verrett back into game shape, the 49ers are going to need to enact a lot of steps with all of them being slow play. 

Either way, all of this work to implement Verrett is so unnecessary. Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir have been adequate. Why change it up when it has been working fine? I would understand if any one of them were playing poorly, but that isn't the case. It's just reckless tinkering at this point and the 49ers ended up paying for it with a touchdown given up. Verrett should only be integrated when the game is in hand, which should happen when the 49ers face the Commanders.