San Francisco, CA – December 6, 2025. The 49ers are preparing for the final playoff push, but inside the locker room, frustration has surfaced. And this time, it comes from the franchise quarterback himself.
Brock Purdy has spent the entire season holding together a roster battered by injuries and inconsistency. He has stayed patient with young players learning on the fly. But privately, coaches say Purdy hit his breaking point this week — and it centers on a rookie who was once expected to be a defensive bright spot.
The player in question, Marques Sigle, arrived as a fifth-round pick out of Kansas State, drafted No. 160 overall to help fill the void left when Talanoa Hufanga departed in free agency. Early in training camp, the 49ers believed they had found a versatile defensive back with toughness, strong instincts, and real potential in run support.
But after a promising preseason — including a forced fumble against the Raiders and a surprise Week 1 start with three tackles and a key fumble recovery — Sigle’s development hit a wall. His coverage issues became glaring. His Week 5 meltdown against the Rams became a viral talking point. And his efforts to take over a starting role quietly collapsed as coaches pulled back his snaps.
By Week 12, what once looked like a rising defensive contributor had faded into a rotational safety and special teams piece, logging around 15–20 snaps per game with a middling 68.4 PFF grade.
According to team insiders, the concern isn’t just on-field. It’s preparation, focus, and the inconsistency that comes with a rookie feeling too comfortable too quickly.
That’s where Brock Purdy stepped in.
In a conversation later confirmed by multiple people inside the building, Purdy delivered a pointed message aimed at young players — and understood by everyone to be directed at Sigle. In the quarterback’s words:
“This league doesn’t wait for anybody. Talent isn’t enough. If you start slipping in your habits, you lose your job. If you keep slipping, you lose your career. We’re trying to win a Super Bowl — we don’t have room for guys who think potential will carry them.”
For a roster loaded with veterans who pride themselves on discipline, Purdy’s tone struck hard. The 49ers’ defense has battled through injuries at safety, giving Sigle opportunities he was unable to seize. Coaches say his run defense remains NFL-caliber, but the mental side — recognition, communication, assignments — has lagged behind.
The team still believes in Sigle’s long-term outlook. His athleticism, versatility, and instincts make him an appealing developmental piece behind Ji’Ayir Brown and Jason Pinnock. But internally, the conversation has shifted from “future starter” to “needs to reset.”
If the 49ers make a deep playoff run, they will rely on rookies staying locked in, not drifting. And Purdy’s message — sharp, direct, and unmistakably serious — makes one thing clear:
There is no margin for complacency in a championship locker room.
49ers Rookie Benched for Disciplinary Violation — Hasn’t Played a Single Snap After Kyle Shanahan’s Tough Message on Standards
Santa Clara, CA – October 25, 2025 The San Francisco 49ers’ seventh-round rookie wide receiver has yet to see the field this season — and head coach
Kyle Shanahan just made it clear why.
Despite impressing during offseason workouts with his speed and versatility, the young wideout has remained on the practice squad since Week 1, with Shanahan citing discipline and execution as the main reasons behind the decision.
“He’s got the talent, no question,” Shanahan said on Friday. “But in San Francisco, execution is everything. He missed reads, blew assignments, and didn’t master the details. Around here, you don’t earn snaps with potential — you earn them by playing the 49ers way.”
The rookie in question is Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick (No. 252 overall) from Montana, who signed a four-year rookie contract shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen flashed promise as a slot receiver and return specialist during training camp, drawing early comparisons to former 49ers gadget players known for their versatility and intelligence.
However, insiders from the team’s practice sessions revealed that Bergen struggled to learn route progressions, execute assignments precisely, and adjust to the pace and complexity of Shanahan’s offense — a system renowned for demanding timing, precision, and mental sharpness.
The 49ers waived Bergen on August 26, 2025, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the following day — a move Shanahan described as part of the development process rather than a punishment.
“He’s learning,” Shanahan said. “But at this level, talent isn’t enough. You have to prove every day that you understand your job and that your teammates can trust you to execute it.”
Bergen has since worked closely with receivers coach Leonard Hankerson, focusing on improving his route discipline and timing. Despite being benched from active play, team sources say the 23-year-old has shown steady progress and remains a long-term project for the 49ers’ offense.
Still, Shanahan’s message was unmistakable: in San Francisco, consistency and preparation are non-negotiable. “This organization is built on accountability,” he said. “Every player here — whether it’s a Pro Bowler or a rookie — is expected to uphold that standard. Until you do, you sit.”
For Junior Bergen, the lesson is clear. The path back to the field won’t come from talent alone — it will come from mastering the details and earning the right to play the
