The 49ers’ run to the Super Bowl last season put a relatively unknown group of players into the national spotlight and greatly bolstered their popularity. At least, that’s what the NFL’s top-selling jerseys indicate. Three 49ers including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa all landed in the top-50 in the league in jersey sales last season according to the NFL Players’ Association.
Garoppolo’s jersey checked in at No. 9 on the list. Kittle was close behind him at No. 10, and Bosa landed at the No. 16 spot. Three players in the top 20 isn’t bad for a team that won only four games the year prior.
Five other quarterbacks were ahead of Garoppolo, including the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (No. 1 on the list), the Patriots’ Tom Brady (No. 2), the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (No. 3), the Browns’ Baker Mayfield (No. 5) and the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (No. 6).
Kittle was the first tight end on the list. There wasn’t another one until No. 26 when Kansas City’s Travis Kelce made an appearance. Zach Ertz of the Eagles was 31st, and retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was No. 48.
Bosa was the second-highest defensive player behind Bears defensive end Kahlil Mack. He was the best-selling rookie last season, and there wasn’t another first year player until No. 28 when Giants quarterback Daniel Jones surfaced.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this iteration of the 49ers grows nationally from a popularity standpoint. They have a host of household name players like Garoppolo, Kittle and Bosa, but players like Richard Sherman (who is also a household name), Deebo Samuel and Fred Warner could wind up on this list if they continue to spearhead the 49ers efforts to reach a second consecutive Super Bowl.
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