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Season recap, June 15 - 21, 2026: the biggest stories of the week, curated from the original reporting. Not a complete daily record.
Aldon Smith, the All-Pro pass rusher who was once the fastest player in NFL history to 30 sacks, was found unresponsive in his car on June 13 and died at age 36. The 49ers confirmed the news, and former teammates including Anthony Dixon posted tributes. Smith's death capped a life marked by elite on-field talent and long public struggles off it.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported June 17 that the 49ers are considering moving their practice facility away from the Levi's Stadium site in Santa Clara. The news landed amid the team's ongoing financial and political disputes with the city over Super Bowl reimbursement and stadium matters.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk said in a June 15 interview that the 49ers do not need to win the offseason, acknowledging the Seahawks as defending Super Bowl champions and the Rams as the talk of the NFL after their big defensive acquisition. The comments reflected a quiet 49ers summer while division rivals grabbed headlines.
The Rams traded for star pass rusher Myles Garrett, the best defensive player in football, raising the stakes in the NFC West while the 49ers largely watched from the sidelines. Sports Illustrated noted San Francisco is not necessarily done making moves of its own, with edge rusher help still a rumored priority.