5 former players 49ers wish they had back for upcoming 2022 season

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San Francisco 49ers center Alex Mack (50) Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 player 49ers would love to have back: C Alex Mack

OK, so this hit the recent panic button.

Veteran Pro Bowl center Alex Mack only recently retired after spending just one season with the Niners, one in which he earned that final Pro Bowl accolade following six in the years prior.

Whether or not San Francisco was aware or presumed this was going to happen is anyone’s guess, but the apparent contingency plan entering 2022 is to let Mack’s primary backup from last season, Jake Brendel, take over the starting center job.

Brendel has just three regular-season starts dating back to his NFL debut in 2016, though.

Could the 49ers somehow coax the 36-year-old Mack to come out of retirement, not unlike Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady’s brief retirement, only to return for one more go?

Probably not, but it’s certainly wishful thinking, and the Niners would surely love to have Mack back in the fold again.