49ers Kickoff Return: New Faces Emerge

The San Francisco 49ers face a critical offseason question: who will handle kick and punt returns? After losing a promising player who is now with the Green Bay Packers, the team lacks a clear answer. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer indicated that between five and seven players are vying for these positions.

Boyer also noted that the kick returner and punt returner might be different individuals, given varying experience levels. Initial contenders mentioned include Junior Bergen, Jacob Cowing, and Christian Kirk. Boyer also added Ricky Pearsall and rookie Will Pauling to the mix. Isaac Guerendo, who returned some kicks last year, and Jordan Watkins, with college punt return experience, are also in consideration.

While many of these players have punt return experience, fewer have demonstrated effectiveness returning kicks. Pearsall returned a few punts in 2024, and Watkins attempted punting in preseason last year. Christian Kirk has punt return experience in the NFL, but not with kickoffs. Jacob Cowing has limited kick return experience, and rookie Pauling lacks college return experience.

This leaves Junior Bergen and Isaac Guerendo. Guerendo has prior kick return experience but the team has reportedly shifted him away from this role. Bergen is considered a potential return specialist, capable of both, but he struggled with injuries last year. The team has numerous options for punt returns, but their top two kick return candidates are not guaranteed roster spots, leaving an open competition to prove themselves.