The San Francisco 49ers traded Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos, but leaving a 2-6 team for a 7-0 squad means the tight end faces a significant adjustment.
In a video the Broncos posted, Davis said he needs to bring back the feeling of playing on a team that expects to win.
“I know what it feels like to win and to be on a team that has that winning spirit. Not too long ago [the 49ers] were able to win some games, and I still feel that, I can feel it a little bit.”
Davis continued, taking a subtle yet harmless jab at his former team.
“I just have to get acclimated to it again because it seems like it’s been so long. But I can imagine that it’s intense, it’s exciting, everyone is playing together as one, and there’s a lot of love.”
But he’s only telling the truth, since San Francisco’s 2015 campaign has completely fallen apart.
Everyone stopped expecting the 49ers to win with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. Granted, his accuracy issues and overall lack of production were compounded by an awful offensive line that can’t run-block, either.
Overall, though, the franchise’s fall from grace is astounding. After regularly competing for the NFC crown—including one Super Bowl appearance—under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the San Francisco’s brass pushed one of the best coaches in franchise history out the door.
Related or not, a mass exodus of key players followed, and the 49ers lost five former first-round picks. Replacing both the caliber and number of those superstars is not a one-year process. Nevertheless, Davis is now the sixth first-rounder to depart since the conclusion of last season.
At least the 31-year-old is headed to a team where he’ll a chance to remember what it feels like to win. The Broncos have a defense talented enough to spark a deep postseason run, and Davis will only help an offense that had plenty of room for an upgrade at tight end.