NFL Notes: 49ers, Chiefs, Patriots, Seahawks

49ers

The 49ers had rookie Trent Brown working at right tackle with the first-team following Anthony Davis‘ recent decision to retire.

“Being with the first team, I definitely feel like I got to look like I’m part of the first team,” Brown said, via CSN Bay Area. “I feel like I have to match what they’re doing and their tempo. That’s been a positive thing for me.”

Chiefs

• According to Adam Teicher, the Chiefs are working with Alex Smith to be more aggressive in taking shots down the field this offseason, after they were last in the league in deep passes last year.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN writes that CB Malcom Butler hasn’t been on the practice field in OTAs, presumably due to an undisclosed ailment.
• Butler’s absence has opened the door for seventh-round pick Darryl Roberts to get more reps in offseason workouts.
• Reiss mentions that the Patriots’ depth at tight end could lead to them employing more  “12” personnel packages in 2015.
• According to Reiss, there is little doubt that S Devin McCourty will do whatever the Patriots ask, even if that means a return to cornerback in an emergency.
• Reiss writes that the Patriots might consider the idea of re-signing WR Wes Welker if they sustained some injuries at the position, but it would be hard to imagine otherwise.

Seahawks

Seahawks OLB Bruce Irvin mentioned that he would “love” to return to Seattle next year.

“I have one year left. I would love to be in Seattle. That was the team that gave me a chance when nobody else did,” Irvin said, via NFL.com. “A lot of people told me I wasn’t a first-round pick, but Pete (Carroll) and (general manager) John Schneider took a chance on me, so like I said I would love to be there, but I’m just going to go out here, I’ve been working my butt off, I’m going to go out here and have the biggest year of my career next year.“