Just over a month later, tragedy hit Benjamin's family. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has been going strong for nearly a year now, had hit home. The receiver lost his 77-year-old grandmother to complications from the virus. That changed Benjamin's outlook.
"I was ready for the season," Benjamin told the San Francisco Chronicle this week. "I was prepared. I was going to the facility. I was going to meetings. But I felt just overwhelmed by the uncertainty of where this might take me. And where this might take my family. Losing my grandmother … I just felt like I really wanted to be home with them and be in my comfort zone."
So Benjamin met with head coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch, and his position coach, Wes Welker, to discuss his decision. Benjamin became one of 69 players to opt-out of the 2020 NFL season and one of three 49ers players to do so.
There were times when Benjamin regretted the decision, especially while watching teammates making plays on Sundays, but he was at peace with it and focused on 2021. The receiver is excited to get back to work after a year off spent training and maintaining his speed.
It sounds like the 49ers are ready to welcome Benjamin back and understood the receiver's decision. With so much uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season at the time, Shanahan, Lynch, and company didn't hold anything against players who felt it was more important to protect their families than navigate through playing football amid a potentially dangerous situation.
"I was walking out of the room, and they said, 'We will welcome you back next year with open arms,'" Benjamin said of his conversation with the 49ers. "That gave me the confidence that these guys believe in me."
Benjamin, 31, has spent eight seasons in the NFL, catching 208 passes for 3,143 yards with 19 touchdowns during that time. His best season came in 2015—a year after Shanahan departed the Browns—when the wideout recorded 68 receptions for 966 yards with five touchdowns.
Benjamin tied with Chris Owusu and Stephen Hill for the fastest 40-time (4.36 seconds) among the 47 collegiate receivers attending the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine.
"I'm excited," Benjamin added. "I can't wait to get back to football."
Click here to read the entire in-depth feature on Benjamin over at the San Francisco Chronicle.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
George Kittle reveals Kyle Shanahan's message to 49ers after frustrating loss to Packers
San Francisco 49ers players were visibly dejected while speaking to reporters after Sunday's demoralizing 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel declined to talk with the media after a frustrating one-catch performance. "It's probably one of the... -
Brandon Allen gets support from Shanahan, Kittle after first 49ers start
Brandon Allen didn't do enough to be counted among the rare bright spots in the 49ers' dreadful 38-10 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but head coach Kyle Shanahan and tight end George Kittle found enough positives in the veteran quarterback's performance to give... -
Christian McCaffrey takes responsibility after 49ers' loss to Packers: "I just gotta be better"
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey didn't hide his disappointment after Sunday's crushing loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite being shorthanded due to injuries, the 49ers had hoped to put up more of a fight in a critical matchup at Lambeau Field. Instead,... -
Deebo Samuel disputes report of declining to speak with media after 49ers loss
After the San Francisco 49ers' crushing 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that wide receiver Deebo Samuel declined to speak with the media. #49ers WR Deebo Samuel declined to speak with the media after the...