There's a noticeable difference between the San Francisco 49ers' 2025 mandatory minicamp sessions and the camps of years prior.
Distractions.
Well, actually, the lack thereof.
Perhaps the biggest discernable difference heading into the final portion of the Niners' offseason workouts prior to training camp in late July is the reality no one seems upset or disgruntled, at least on the contractual front.
It hasn't always been this way.
In 2022, now-Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel requested a trade after coming to a head with San Francisco over contract talks, discussions that lasted deep into the offseason and cast a shadow on organized team activities and minicamp. A year later, defensive end Nick Bosa held out all the way through until the final days of training camp.
Then, of course, there was fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's contractual fiasco that somehow managed to get resolved amid training camp.
No such standoffs to report entering 2025, though.
It appears as if the 49ers learned a valuable lesson. It's better to prioritize contracts and extensions for players deserving of such. That's precisely what the Niners spent the bulk of the months between March and May doing, engineering new deals for tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and the high-profile contract for quarterback Brock Purdy that many anticipated wouldn't happen until well into training camp.
This likely means no one will be absent from the mandatory sessions, which conclude Phase 3 of the offseason program before a six-week break until training camp starts. About the only newsworthy absence up to this point was All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams skipping the first few days of OTAs, but even he ultimately showed up to the final few voluntary workouts.
So, no newsworthy news on that front either.
Unlike previous offseasons when there'd be questions about some star player's contract status and whether or not he'd show up or get fined, San Francisco can hit the two-day mandatory workouts with essentially no drama to be had.
It's a pleasant change, one fans aren't quite used to just yet.