Former 49ers Practice Squad Receiver Takes Subtle Shot at the Team

Sounds like Willie Snead IV firmly believes he could've found himself a role on the 49ers offense if they made it a real competition.

Aug 19, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Willie Snead IV (83) / Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Well, this is random. Former 49ers practice squad receiver Willie Snead IV took a subtle shot at the team on social media.

"All I want is to go back to a team that isn’t afraid to let guys compete for a roster spot. These last 3 years been nothing short of entitlement… Competition breedz Champions !" Snead wrote.

All I want is to go back to a team that isn’t afraid to let guys compete for a roster spot. These last 3 years been nothing short of entitlement… Competition breedz Champions❗️

— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) May 3, 2024

So, this is both confusing and hilarious at the same time. On one end, I get Snead. He wants to play and be actually on a team and contribute. Every NFL player. They aren't trying to just coast and collect a check just to say they are in the league.

However, does Snead not realize the team he signed with? No one forced him to sign with the 49ers. Now, perhaps the 49ers was his only offer to join the practice squad, so he could kick in if someone underperformed or got injured.

But the reality is he was never supplanting any other receiver on the active roster. The 49ers already have their core in Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings. No one else really sees snaps unless it's randomly Chris Conley who mainly blocks.

Does Snead block? Does he block efficiently and aggressively? Probably not. This notion that there is "entitlement" to players on the team is hilarious. Like, what entitlement? There are better receivers than him on the roster who are better fits and more useful in the offense.

Plus, it's not like the 49ers are gonna let Snead get snaps over a highly paid receiver like Samuel or dominant receiver like Aiyuk. I see where Snead is coming from, but that post should've remained in the drafts and not been sent.