On Friday, 49ers tackle Anthony Davis provided the NFL with a surprise by retiring at age 25. The move didn’t surprise head coach Jim Tomsula.
“I can’t say it was shocking at all,” Tomsula told reporters in the aftermath of the news.
“Anthony’s been working on himself right now, that’s what he’s been doing,” Tomsula said. “Look, Anthony wants to step away and he wants to get his mind and his body right and that’s where he wants to go and he has every right to do that. We wish him the best.”
If it sounds as if the 49ers knew Davis may be retiring, it’s because they apparently did.
“I wouldn’t say it was a topic of conversation, but yeah absolutely,” Tomsula said regarding whether the team knew this could happen entering free agency and the draft. “We’re looking, Anthony wasn’t around, he’s doing his thing. So, yeah. Obviously, you look at the things we’ve done here personnel wise and we’re very prepared for this.”
Is it nevertheless a huge blow to the team?
“I don’t think it’s a huge blow to this team,” Tomsula said. “I wouldn’t categorize it that way. We’ve got some guys doing some really good things right now that we’re really excited about moving into training camp. But, no we’re really excited about the guys that are here. That’s what we’ve said all along. The focus is on the guys that are here and the guys that are doing what they are doing.”
Tomsula added that guard Alex Boone is a “possibility at either tackle” position,” and that guard Erik Pears also could play right tackle.
Regardless of whether the 49ers were prepared for the move, it becomes the latest departure for a team that has now seen four key players retire in the same offseason that coach Jim Harbaugh left -- linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, defensive lineman Justin Smith, and Davis.
It’s hard not to wonder who may be the next 49er to call it quits.