SANTA CLARA — The chances swirl round Junior Bergen like gunners on kick protection, however he has just one factor on his thoughts.
Catch the ball.
“You don’t have a play in case you don’t catch the ball,” Bergen stated Tuesday after the 49ers completed observe a day earlier than departing for Las Vegas and a joint observe session with the Raiders.
Sounds simplistic, however as a rookie seventh-round draft pick of Montana, taking time to determine the numbers sport that produces a 53-man roster would solely distract Bergen from engaged on his speciality whereas additionally studying a brand new offense as a large receiver.
Exhibition video games give younger gamers an opportunity to play some precise soccer, however much more so for a return specialist. Bergen has dodged giant silver balls rolled in his route as he settles below a punt from both Thomas Morstead or the JUGS machine. He’s fielded straight ahead punts. Directional punts. Banana balls, that are struck with a sideways spin so that they curve within the air. Deep punts. Shallow punts.
He’s caught nearly all of them, with solely a juggle right here or there. The one time he will get an opportunity to run after the catch is towards an opponent. Within the Huge Sky Convention, Bergen has caught punts within the worst attainable situations, so Santa Clara is a snap.
“We’re kicking him some totally different balls that he’s going to get through the season, whether or not it’s the banana ball or whether or not it’s the directional goal proper or pulls left,” particular groups coach Brant Boyer stated.
The one time he will get to run is towards an opponent, and towards Denver, Bergen didn’t disappoint. He returned the one punt he fielded for 28 yards. That’s simply two yards shy of a 30-yarder by Jacob Cowing that stood because the 49ers’ longest return in 17 common season video games in 2024.
The 49ers’ difficulties in that space are effectively documented. Their final punt return for a landing was Sept. 11, 2011 by Ted Ginn Jr. In opposition to Seattle. Opponents have punted 500 instances on the 49ers to 25 totally different return specialists in 246 video games common and postseason video games since Ginn’s 55-yard rating.
“I’ve heard it a few instances,” Bergen stated. “Hopefully we are able to change that this 12 months. That’s the objective. I don’t assume we’re centered on the previous an excessive amount of, simply be within the current and try to make performs.”
Bergen was a 5-foot-10, 184-pound Huge Sky playmaking legend in Missoula, the place he returned eight punts for touchdowns to set an NCAA Soccer Championship Subdivision file and averaged 16.7 yards per return. The 49ers used their ultimate decide of the draft on Bergen, No. 252 total.
Whereas he’s no lock to stay, breaking a few large ones in preseason video games towards the Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 23 would make it powerful to maintain him from seizing the position for the Sept. 7 common season opener towards Seattle.
Bergen obtained a style of it towards Denver. He additionally returned two kickoffs for 40 yards — Bergen stated he’s nonetheless adjusting to the NFL guidelines the place protection models can’t converge till the returner catches the ball — and had one receiving goal with no catch. He performed 22 snaps on offense and 5 on particular groups.
“I’ve dreamt of that second for fairly a while,” Bergen stated. “I’m so grateful God blessed me to play the sport I like and are available out of it wholesome. Sadly we didn’t get a win nevertheless it’s good to expertise all that.”
Bergen is an anomaly in that he’s not terribly quick, clocking 4.52 on his Professional Day. However he’s slippery and elusive and his school coach Bobby Houck stated he’s obtained a pure really feel within the return sport.
“I’d name it level guard capacity,” Houck stated final Might. “He simply instinctively is aware of the place everyone is.”
Bergen retains issues as uncomplicated as attainable.
“Simply attempt to make the primary man miss is the most important factor,” Bergen stated. “For those who make the primary man miss you’ve obtained a play there. My teammates blocked it up rather well.”
Cowing, who returned to observe Monday for the primary time for the reason that first day of coaching camp, fielded some punts however didn’t take part in group periods after recovering from a hamstring pressure. He averaged 8.8 yards on 30 returns as a rookie.
Cowing or Bergen are the most certainly punt return specialists for Week 1. Each are vast receivers, and whereas Shanahan made no bones about Bergen being drafted to return punts and kickoffs, he’s favored what he’s seen of Bergen at receiver.
With Jauan Jennings out with a calf harm, Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing a torn ACL and rookie Jordan Watkins out with a excessive ankle sprain, Bergen’s had his share of snaps at receiver and made his share of performs.
Bergen was a multi-purpose performer at Montana with 577 profession yards speeding and 4 touchdowns and 1,777 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns. He’s the type of gadget participant Shanahan might put to make use of if he makes the roster.
“He’s gotten much more alternatives going into this camp being down extra guys than we anticipated,” Shanahan stated. “I feel he’s proven he’s prepared for it. He’s been in a position to catch the ball, he’s discovered the playbook. We’ve been in a position to put him in there and use him at receiver and that undoubtedly helps his probabilities.”
Even when Bergen doesn’t make the preliminary 53, he could possibly be positioned on the observe squad and be eligible to be one of many two gamers allowed to be elevated on sport day.
“All of the returners are studying every single day and enhancing every single day,” Boyer stated. “It’s going to be fascinating to see how this all shakes out.”
