5 individuals San Francisco 49ers should have never let get away
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Linebacker Julian Peterson a Lone 49ers Bright Spot
Those mid-2000s Niners squads were pretty bad, and the constant rebuilding years were more than frustrating.
But San Francisco had one piece around which it could hopefully build, at least on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Julian Peterson.
Peterson enjoyed some great production when the 49ers were good earlier in the decade. And even on the cusp of things beginning to fall apart in 2003, the former Michigan State linebacker still managed to be one of the NFL’s best on a year-to-year basis, earning Pro Bowl accolades in 2002 and 2003 along with a first-team All-Pro selection in 2003.
In 2006, following lingering contract-extension standoffs between Peterson and San Francisco, the Niners finally let Peterson walk in free agency. He’d eventually sign with the 49ers’ budding rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, where he’d earn an additional three Pro Bowl nominations.
At least letting Peterson go opened up the doors for the 49ers to sign all-time linebacking great, Patrick Willis.
But one can only wonder how San Francisco’s defense would have looked with both Willis and Peterson patrolling the second level.