Matt Barrows
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mattbarrows.bsky.social
Matt Barrows
@mattbarrows.bsky.social
11K followers 170 following 1.3K posts
Matt has covered the 49ers since 2003, first for The Sacramento Bee and now for The Athletic. Like fiction? Check out the crime novel Matt co-wrote. It's about a reporter who commits a series of murders ... https://a.co/d/hntQmF5
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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · Dec 17
Attention “Lord of the Rings” fans: You have a kindred spirit in NFL star George Kittle, who sees himself as Strider but who’s contemplating a Sauron tattoo. Yes, it’s complicated … #LOTR #49ers

www.nytimes.com/athletic/599...
Inside the mind — and tattoos — of 49ers’ George Kittle, one of the NFL’s most interesting players
Kittle, a 'Lord of the Rings' devotee, sees life and an NFL season through that lens. On Thursday, he was channeling his inner Sauron.
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers mock draft: a disruptive pass rusher and a younger version of CMC …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers mock draft: A disruptive pass rusher, two big receivers and a young CMC
The 49ers are expected to have seven picks. Edge rusher and receiver are two big needs and two of the deepest positions in the draft.
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:39 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers mock draft: a disruptive pass rusher and a younger version of CMC …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers mock draft: A disruptive pass rusher, two big receivers and a young CMC
The 49ers are expected to have seven picks. Edge rusher and receiver are two big needs and two of the deepest positions in the draft.
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
victafur.bsky.social
Fred Warner’s guarantee caps off busy Super Bowl week for 49ers players, coach ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Fred Warner’s guarantee caps off busy Super Bowl week for 49ers players, coach
Warner made a big prediction, George Kittle hinted at a possible Deebo Samuel return and the 49ers are going to Australia.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers mailbag: How will new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris change the defense, defensive staff?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers mailbag: How will new coordinator Raheem Morris change the defense?
Among this week's questions: Is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq a target in the draft, and which free agents make sense for San Francisco?
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers mailbag:
* Will Raheem Morris shake up the D?
* The can’t-refuse offer for Mac Jones
* Rourke’s spot in the QB pecking order
* Bryce Huff, $17M man?
* Some low-profile FA targets
* The Kyle Pitts/Kenyon Sadiq argument
* More!!!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers mailbag: How will new coordinator Raheem Morris change the defense?
Among this week's questions: Is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq a target in the draft, and which free agents make sense for San Francisco?
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers mailbag:
* Will Raheem Morris shake up the D?
* The can’t-refuse offer for Mac Jones
* Rourke’s spot in the QB pecking order
* Bryce Huff, $17M man?
* Some low-profile FA targets
* The Kyle Pitts/Kenyon Sadiq argument
* More!!!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers mailbag: How will new coordinator Raheem Morris change the defense?
Among this week's questions: Is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq a target in the draft, and which free agents make sense for San Francisco?
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers mailbag: How will new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris change the defense, defensive staff?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers mailbag: How will new coordinator Raheem Morris change the defense?
Among this week's questions: Is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq a target in the draft, and which free agents make sense for San Francisco?
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Update from the 49ers: DL Keion White is out of surgery after being shot in the ankle early this morning in San Francisco. The surgery was considered successful. No word yet on his recovery time.
February 10, 2026 at 4:27 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
TK and I discuss SB, Bad Bunny, 49ers’ offseason plans, Kyle Pitts and more on 49ers +/-
youtu.be/MJtjjHMQnBw?...
Super Bowl LX: Are the Seahawks Gettable Next Season? | 49ers +/-
YouTube video by 49ers Plus Minus Podcast
youtu.be
February 10, 2026 at 3:41 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
49ers: DL Keion White shot in ankle at Super Bowl event, expected to be OK ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
49ers DL Keion White shot in ankle at Super Bowl event, expected to be OK: Sources
According to police, there was an altercation between two groups, but White was not believed to be involved in the altercation.
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:04 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Per sources, 49ers DL Keion White was shot in the ankle during an event in SF early this morning. White had surgery and is expected to be OK. Police say there was an altercation at an event on Mission Street. White is not believed to have been part of the altercation.
February 10, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
timkawakami.bsky.social
Post-Super Bowl "49ers +/-" episode with sun-baked @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- what can the 49ers do to catch the Seahawks? What was Bad Bunny's show like live?
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/67nV...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
[49ers +/-] Super Bowl Aftermath: Shanahan's Good on TV
open.spotify.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:59 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Let’s shift things back to the #49ers with a mailbag. Send me your best questions and I’ll effort to answer them. Remember to include your first name and last initial.

Still smelling like cigar smoke,
Matt B.
February 9, 2026 at 5:22 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Wind watch: There’s hardly any right now, but it should crank up in the afternoon. Remember: Visiting kickers are 10-16 at a Levi’s this year, the worst percentage in the NFL. oh, I really like the Brock Purdy one yet you did that that was really I mean it was to the point.
February 8, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Early-arriving Seahawks players note that Klint Kubiak's car is always the first one in the parking lot. Kyle Shanahan says it’s not exactly what it seems. On the Seattle OC and soon-to-be Raiders HC …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Who is Klint Kubiak? His rise from working oil fields to Seahawks OC and future Raiders coach
Kyle Shanahan has known Kubiak since he was 7 years old. He thinks he'll be an excellent fit with Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:44 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Early-arriving Seahawks players note that Klint Kubiak's car is always the first one in the parking lot. Kyle Shanahan says it’s not exactly what it seems. On the Seattle OC and soon-to-be Raiders HC …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Who is Klint Kubiak? His rise from working oil fields to Seahawks OC and future Raiders coach
Kyle Shanahan has known Kubiak since he was 7 years old. He thinks he'll be an excellent fit with Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Kyle Shanahan on a possible Klint Kubiak-Fernando Mendoza paring in Las Vegas:

“I kind of see it as a perfect fit — two very humble, talented people coming in at the same time”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Who is Klint Kubiak? His rise from working oil fields to Seahawks OC and future Raiders coach
Kyle Shanahan has known Kubiak since he was 7 years old. He thinks he'll be an excellent fit with Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:10 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Kyle Shanahan on a possible Klint Kubiak-Fernando Mendoza paring in Las Vegas:

“I kind of see it as a perfect fit — two very humble, talented people coming in at the same time”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Who is Klint Kubiak? His rise from working oil fields to Seahawks OC and future Raiders coach
Kyle Shanahan has known Kubiak since he was 7 years old. He thinks he'll be an excellent fit with Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
If you haven’t read this paean to Roger Craig (soon to be wearing a gold jacket?), do yourself a favor…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Roger Craig ran The Hill. Now he looks poised to reach the Hall of Fame mountaintop
The NFL's first 1,000-1,000 player led teammates up a challenging incline. Here's how to follow in their footsteps.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:13 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Roger Craig's long wait is over. He's heading to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. No Frank Gore this year, but given that he ranks thir in all-time rushing yards, it shouldn't be long before he gets in.
February 6, 2026 at 3:11 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Christian McCaffrey wins Comeback Player of the Year Award. McCaffrey, who was limited to four games last season, started all 19 games this season. He led the 49ers in rushing and receiving yards.
February 6, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
victafur.bsky.social
49ers rookie review: Plenty of contributors, but are any foundational pieces? ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
February 5, 2026 at 7:17 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Patrick Willis sure didn’t mind practicing next to an electric substation when he was with the 49ers. On the Super Bowl topic that has the NFL buzzing …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Should electrical substation next to Super Bowl 60 worry Seahawks, Patriots?
The 49ers' facility might not have a real problem, but it's developing a perception issue. "Something's going on over there," a player said.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:10 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
If you haven’t read this paean to Roger Craig (soon to be wearing a gold jacket?), do yourself a favor…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Roger Craig ran The Hill. Now he looks poised to reach the Hall of Fame mountaintop
The NFL's first 1,000-1,000 player led teammates up a challenging incline. Here's how to follow in their footsteps.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:13 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Sam Darnold on possibly having his old #49ers locker again and on the prospect of ex Jets teammate Frank Gore getting into the hall of fame.
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM