Dreaming of what the 2022 Offense Will Look Like

With Garoppolo most likely leaving, Trey Lance presumably starting, free agency departures/additions, draft signings, changes in coaching staff, our offense should look pretty different next year.

Some of the things I'm thinking about:

Early Year Growing Pains / Marked Improvements by Year-End --- Shanahan is a bit of a rhythm playcaller. He needs to get a feel for what works for our offense and how the defense is attacking. Given that we'll have a bit of an inexperienced QB with a drastically different style than Jimmy, our offense might be slow in the first couple games. No idea how they new coaches will fare either. I'm hoping it's not so bad that we drop some early games. Shanahan teams always seem to play better at the end of the year though. I'm expecting more of the same here.

Trey Lance's Passing Distribution --- Jimmy excelled at accurate, well-timed passes to the middle of the field and behind the line of scrimmage, but wasn't as consistent to the sidelines and deep routes. I'm assuming Trey isn't going to be as accurate on the shorter passes, but he's going to spread the field with his arm strength.

Better Turnover Ratio, but More Boom or Bust Offense --- I assume that Trey will have better ball security than Jimmy. Jimmy was always a more aggressive passer, while Trey seems to be more conservative (college tendency, Fred Warner saying that he had to tell Trey to let it rip). At the same time though, I expect we won't have many 10-play sustained drives that take up half a quarter anymore, but we'll probably have more chunk plays.

Deebo Samuel, WB --- Shanahan and Deebo have said they expected to continue using Deebo at RB next year. Given his ascension, I expect us to really feature Deebo a lot more and I expect they're smart about his usage. I'm hoping they really expand him to run more RB receiving routes. Against the Packers, they ran a Texas-concept where Deebo picked up a big first down in that last drive of the game. In man coverage, a CB covers him, but if it's Zone---I feel sorry for the linebacker who has to deal with him.

Kittle, Aiyuk, Jennings Usage --- Deebo's going to get a lot of looks. He's also going to get a lot of gravity from defenses. How will our other receiving targets fare? I can see Kittle doing well as a safety valve for a young QB. I can see Aiyuk having great chemistry with Lance, as they're training this offseason together. I'm excited to see how Jennings looks this season---he really developed well into the WR3 for us.

Homerun Hitter to Complement Mitchell? In the passing game?--- With Mostert gone, I'm curious if we'll find a homerun hitter in the running game. Deebo kind of took that role on outside runs last year, and Elijah Mitchell isn't a plodder, but the run game could be even greater if they find themselves a Breida or Mostert kind of back that runs FAST. And will we find a deep threat in the passing game? Deebo and Aiyuk are deceptively fast, but I wonder if they target a burner in FA or the draft to take advantage of Trey's arm.

Trey Lance, Scrambles... More 3rd Down Conversions, More Sacks? --- As much as we'll miss Jimmy's quick release on third down, I think there will be times where Trey just runs and picks up an easy first down with his feet. At the same time as we'll love Trey's ability to move the ball with his feet, I'm expecting Trey will have some growing pains where he doesn't read the defense as fast as Jimmy... holds the ball too long, doesn't correctly move around the pocket correctly and ends up taking a sack.

What will "3rd and 3" look like? --- I think Shanahan is a genius playcaller, but it felt like in 2021, it felt like he struggled mightily to consistently determine the best playcall for 3rd and manageables. With Trey Lance as a runner, I see the possibility of creatively designed 3rd down and manageable packages... but I'm concerned the defense will have a "defend the QB option" first mentality... so hopefully Shanahan is stronger in this game situation next year.

What else? What do you guys think?

Deep ball Yuk.

Do it.

Nice thread. A bunch of quick hit predictions:
- more inside zone runs
- Aiyuk stock up
- Kittle stock down
- air yards up
- more throws outside the numbers
- more sacks
- more explosive pass plays

Originally posted by thl408:
Nice thread. A bunch of quick hit predictions:
- more inside zone runs
- Aiyuk stock up
- Kittle stock down
- air yards up
- more throws outside the numbers
- more sacks
- more explosive pass plays

When you say Kittle stock down, I'm assuming you mean in terms of Receiving Stat production?

It's gonna be interesting what the Targets look like. We'll be a run-first offense and multiple good pass-catchers, I can definitely see someone's numbers going down.

Originally posted by Wubbie:

Originally posted by thl408:
Nice thread. A bunch of quick hit predictions:
- more inside zone runs
- Aiyuk stock up
- Kittle stock down
- air yards up
- more throws outside the numbers
- more sacks
- more explosive pass plays

When you say Kittle stock down, I'm assuming you mean in terms of Receiving Stat production?

It's gonna be interesting what the Targets look like. We'll be a run-first offense and multiple good pass-catchers, I can definitely see someone's numbers going down.

Yes, I meant Kittle's number of targets. Not that he would regress as a player. He could very well improve overall, but get less targets giving us the impression he regressed. I do think Aiyuk will be Lance's favorite target so someone will see less targets - my guess is that is Kittle.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by Wubbie:

Originally posted by thl408:
Nice thread. A bunch of quick hit predictions:
- more inside zone runs
- Aiyuk stock up
- Kittle stock down
- air yards up
- more throws outside the numbers
- more sacks
- more explosive pass plays

When you say Kittle stock down, I'm assuming you mean in terms of Receiving Stat production?

It's gonna be interesting what the Targets look like. We'll be a run-first offense and multiple good pass-catchers, I can definitely see someone's numbers going down.

Yes, I meant Kittle's number of targets. Not that he would regress as a player. He could very well improve overall, but get less targets giving us the impression he regressed. I do think Aiyuk will be Lance's favorite target so someone will see less targets - my guess is that is Kittle.

Gotcha, gotcha. I agree with that.

If I had to pick someone for Fantasy Football after Deebo, I'd pick Aiyuk. I think we're all gonna be excited for the deep routes, but I think we'll see an uptick in the outside sideline routes. Aiyuk's catch radius is such a gift to his QB's.

Originally posted by thl408:
Nice thread. A bunch of quick hit predictions:
- more inside zone runs
- Aiyuk stock up
- Kittle stock down
- air yards up
- more throws outside the numbers
- more sacks
- more explosive pass plays

Agree with the above, although I'll be waiting to see who ShanaLynch is going to draft before projecting what the offense might be in 2022. Having said that, assuming ShanaLynch doesn't make any significant drafts in the WR/TE/RB positions and funnels a ton of draft capital to the OLine and defense, and pretty much leaves the offense alone -- then I can see more of the same from 2021 going into 2022. Mitchell is going to be RB 1, with RB 2 being Hasty and Sermon possibly RB 3. With Trey's mobility, I think they pass lot more in the first half, and those passes will be much longer on average vs Jimmy's Average Per pass plays. The scramble drill will be a part of the offense - moving pockets like the QB screens, draws, and sprint plays. They will be (hopefully) getting that lead in the first half and then ground and pound in the 2nd half - with Mitchell, Hasty and Sermon.

I got Kittle numbers going up. Less focus will be on him once Lance spreads the ball around. We can actually let him run deeper routes and sit down in zones. That's all granted on them having a RT that can actually pass protect.

Originally posted by Giedi:
Agree with the above, although I'll be waiting to see who ShanaLynch is going to draft before projecting what the offense might be in 2022. Having said that, assuming ShanaLynch doesn't make any significant drafts in the WR/TE/RB positions and funnels a ton of draft capital to the OLine and defense, and pretty much leaves the offense alone -- then I can see more of the same from 2021 going into 2022. Mitchell is going to be RB 1, with RB 2 being Hasty and Sermon possibly RB 3. With Trey's mobility, I think they pass lot more in the first half, and those passes will be much longer on average vs Jimmy's Average Per pass plays. The scramble drill will be a part of the offense - moving pockets like the QB screens, draws, and sprint plays. They will be (hopefully) getting that lead in the first half and then ground and pound in the 2nd half - with Mitchell, Hasty and Sermon.

I agree our WR/TE/RB positions will largely be the same. I don't expect significant investment here, as we're pretty solidified here... but I wouldn't be surprised to see them pull the trigger on someone they like.

Originally posted by lamontb:
I got Kittle numbers going up. Less focus will be on him once Lance spreads the ball around. We can actually let him run deeper routes and sit down in zones. That's all granted on them having a RT that can actually pass protect.

Yeah, I'm curious how the non-Play Action passing game will look. Trey has the arm to hit deeper routes, but I'm also concerned we don't have the offensive line that can hold up long enough in pass protection. Our o-line is better at run-blocking than Pass Protection.

Question for everyone: Anyone watch Trey Lance's college ball? I'm curious what his tendencies are. He has all the physical talent in the world, but he strikes me as being very careful with the football. In my mind, I'm envisioning him as a young Alex Smith in Josh Allen or Cam Newton's body.

Originally posted by Wubbie:

Question for everyone: Anyone watch Trey Lance's college ball? I'm curious what his tendencies are. He has all the physical talent in the world, but he strikes me as being very careful with the football. In my mind, I'm envisioning him as a young Alex Smith in Josh Allen or Cam Newton's body.

Watch it yourself...3 hours can be done in a few sessions

He looks deep early and often (bc wide open due to running game....just like SF offense)

When he scrambles he wants to throw

https://youtu.be/vi9JU1wwlhU

All passing numbers down and rushing numbers up.

Originally posted by Tigerlaw:
Watch it yourself...3 hours can be done in a few sessions

He looks deep early and often (bc wide open due to running game....just like SF offense)

When he scrambles he wants to throw

https://youtu.be/vi9JU1wwlhU

Oh, sweet! I didn't know this existed.

Originally posted by Wubbie:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by Wubbie:

Originally posted by thl408:
Nice thread. A bunch of quick hit predictions:
- more inside zone runs
- Aiyuk stock up
- Kittle stock down
- air yards up
- more throws outside the numbers
- more sacks
- more explosive pass plays

When you say Kittle stock down, I'm assuming you mean in terms of Receiving Stat production?

It's gonna be interesting what the Targets look like. We'll be a run-first offense and multiple good pass-catchers, I can definitely see someone's numbers going down.

Yes, I meant Kittle's number of targets. Not that he would regress as a player. He could very well improve overall, but get less targets giving us the impression he regressed. I do think Aiyuk will be Lance's favorite target so someone will see less targets - my guess is that is Kittle.

Gotcha, gotcha. I agree with that.

If I had to pick someone for Fantasy Football after Deebo, I'd pick Aiyuk. I think we're all gonna be excited for the deep routes, but I think we'll see an uptick in the outside sideline routes. Aiyuk's catch radius is such a gift to his QB's.

I actually think we will bring in another TE via the draft or F/A to help lighten Kittle's blocking load. If this happens we will have our dynamic receiving TE back in the mix. I also think they may bring in another complete TE and use a lot of 2 TE sets.

Just my opinion.

Originally posted by glorydayz:
I actually think we will bring in another TE via the draft or F/A to help lighten Kittle's blocking load. If this happens we will have our dynamic receiving TE back in the mix. I also think they may bring in another complete TE and use a lot of 2 TE sets.

Just my opinion.

If Brady didn't unretire, I would've been interested to see what Gronk's asking price would've been. I think it'll be too high though. He's made like, $8, $9M the last two seasons each for Tampa Bay.

Comparatively, when we signed Jordan Reed for 2020, it was a 1 year deal for $1.05M.

I was dreaming of Mostert, Deebo, Kittle, Juice/Aiyuk, and Cordarelle Patterson all on the field at the same time with Trey.