De’Zhaun Stribling: The 49ers wide receiver both looks—and acts—the part

Posted by Admin August 23, 2026 NFL

Wondering why the San Francisco 49ers took De’Zhaun Stribling is so three months ago.

After two preseason games, the narrative has turned from skeptical to optimistic on what the 49ers rookie might do when the regular season hits. In the preseason win against the Chargers Thursday night, he had three catches that, while small, stood out.

“Just trying to do my part to help the whole offense roll,” Stribling said to Steve Wyche after the game.

That’s an offense that runs through quarterback Brock Purdy, who demonstrated great chemistry with his rookie.

“He’s a guy that’s consistent, smart, and shows that he’s a guy that you can trust,” Purdy said via NBC Sports Bay Area. “That first drive, to go out there and be able to connect with him, felt really good; him making some tough catches with guys on him and things like that. So for me, that’s huge. I know he’s going to continue to get better.”

While Purdy praises Stribling’s immediate ability, others, such as tight end George Kittle, have praised the rookie’s attitude and work ethic as well.

“He’s got the right mindset off the rip,” Kittle said in an NFL Radio interview earlier in the week. “Zero ego. He asks questions—like, ‘Hey, what can I do on this?'”

Kittle elaborated that the advice he gives new players is to be a sponge and absorb information from the veterans. Something Stribling has been doing quite a bit of. Stribling continues to stay humble and do his job. His mindset is best shown in what he told Steve Wyche:

“Just doing my 1-11,” meaning he was one of 11 players on the field.

This doesn’t seem like a guy who is going to quit routes when his number isn’t called, or he doesn’t get the ball.