A surprising Patrick Willis tease has 49ers fans dreaming again

In light of future Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers' decision to unretire, subsequently joining the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad after they lost Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles tear, there's been no shortage of discussion and speculation (for 31 other franchises) about which team greats could potentially take a similar path.

The San Francisco 49ers, of course, have no shortage of names who'd fall into such a bucket. And one of them has already been there before, Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis, whose own shocking 2015 retirement created a subsequent buzz when later-debunked rumors surfaced a year later amid the Niners' own struggles.

The source of that debunking? Willis himself.

Granted, a lot has changed since that forgettable 2016 season. San Francisco is in the thick of the playoff hunt, and it'll ironically square off against Indy (and likely Rivers, too) in Week 16.

As for Willis, would be be intrigued enough to revoke his retirement papers and rejoin the 49ers?

Patrick Willis teases at the possibility of unretiring

Willis recently sat down with CBS Sports' Matt Lively and was asked directly about whether or not he'd consider rejoining the Niners, who just so happen to need linebacker help in the wake of injuries to Tatum Bethune and All-Pro Fred Warner.

The Hall of Famer didn't exactly shut the notion down.

"Stay ready so you don't have to get ready," Willis responded.

As Lively pointed out, the seven-time Pro Bowler is only 40 years old, whereas Rivers is age 44. And while Willis' response certainly hinted toward the possibility of coming out of retirement, the overwhelming likelihood is he has long since played his last snaps at the NFL level.

It's certainly a fun-natured response, though. And it'll definitely get Niners fans pleasantly reminiscing of the days when No. 52 patrolled the field.

If only again...