San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Patrick Willis is expected to announce his retirement, according to multiple reports.
The surprising news, which was first reported by Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, is expected to be made official by Willis on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old played six games last season registering 29 tackles and one interception before being shut down following toe surgery. Willis said at the time that his toe injury had affected him for years but that he believed could play for another five or six seasons.
Willis has spent his entire pro career with the 49ers after the team drafted him 11th overall in 2007. At times – when healthy – Willis was considered the best linebacker in football.
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Defensive lineman Justin Smith is also expected to retire.
The 49ers will be a much different team than the one that went 8-8 and missed the playoffs when they hit the field in the summer.
In addition to Willis and Smith, the team fired head coach Jim Harbaugh, longtime running back Frank Gore is joining the Philadelphia Eagles, wide receiver Michael Crabtree isn’t expected to return and rumours have surfaced that quarterback Colin Kaepernick is on the trade block.
