An NFL rookie has to do all of that while trying to learn a new playbook, which for the San Francisco 49ers offense, is complex.
All of that is behind tackle Mike McGlinchey now. He is preparing to enter his second NFL season and will do so with the experience of 16 starts under his belt. McGlinchey was on the stage for the 49ers' State of the Franchise event on Wednesday night and was asked what it is like heading into his sophomore NFL season and what he worked on to improve this offseason.
"I think any time you're going in from year one to year two, you just are so much more confident in everything that you're doing," McGlinchey responded. "I've worked on every part of my game. I can't really narrow down a specific part over the last six months or so.
"Coming in last year and not having any grasp of what was going on, thrown in as the day one starter, you kind of feel like you're swimming the whole season. It was hard. It was hard to navigate through everything that was going on, on top of trying to get a hold of your life out here as well."
McGlinchey finished last season as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded rookie tackle and the second-highest graded rookie offensive lineman.
"This year, I'm settled in here in the Bay Area now," McGlinchey continued. "I have the whole offense down, and ready to go for year two, and just being able to make decisions a lot faster, and keep Jimmy (Garoppolo) upright, and let Jet (Jerick McKinnon) and Matt (Breida) run through a lot of holes."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Albert Breer: 49ers 'make sense' for Stefon Diggs
The San Francisco 49ers have made it clear they won't be making major financial moves in free agency this offseason. Instead, general manager John Lynch and company are focused on replenishing the roster through the 2025 NFL Draft after several key departures. However,... -
49ers Leadership Speaks: Lynch, Shanahan, and York at the NFL Annual Meeting
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and owner Jed York addressed reporters this week at the NFL's annual meeting in Florida. While Lynch's media availability was not recorded, conversations with Shanahan and York were, courtesy of Grant... -
49ers Brandon Aiyuk trade: Why moving him now makes sense—and why it doesn't
The 49ers' return window for Brandon Aiyuk closes April 1, offering the Niners one final opportunity to trade him and move on from a contract decision they reportedly never wanted to make. No, it's not April Fools, but it sure feels a lot like Groundhog Day. Just months after... -
Talanoa Hufanga shares a heartfelt farewell to 49ers and fans
All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga took to Instagram on Saturday to say goodbye to the San Francisco 49ers and their fans. The standout defender signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency after spending his first four NFL seasons with the 49ers. "Change is always exciting, but...