49ers: Ranking San Francisco's GOATs at each position

Ranking the San Francisco 49ers GOATs at each position.

By James Jones | Jul 24, 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice is seen during a ceremony honoring the 1981-82 team at halftime of the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 05: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field during player introductions for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Linebacker: Patrick Willis

There are a great many questions in this world that we will never receive an answer to. Will poverty ever end? Why is there an exception to every rule?

For 49ers fans, one of the most glaring questions they ponder at times is; what would have happened if Patrick Willis had never retired after only eight seasons in the NFL?

Willis went to the Pro Bowl in seven of his eight seasons in the league. His rookie season culminated with 135 tackles and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award as well being a first-team All-Pro. The seasons that followed were no different, as the former Ole Miss star either led, or was at the top in the league in tackles year after year.

He was an important part of the 49ers last resurgence, and along with former 49er NaVorro Bowman, formed one of the best linebacking duos in the history of the game.

Honorable mentions: NaVorro Bowman, Ken Norton Jr., Mike Walter