Bill Walsh has been the mastermind behind the 49ers on and off for the past three decades. Walsh certainly remains a key figure in the 49ers organization, even now in his ‘consultant’ role. No surprise hear, it was Walsh who pressed the 49ers strongly into drafting Johnson last off-season in the seventh round. Johnson, nick named “Walsh’s Son” for exactly that reason has once again proved why Walsh owns the title of “Genius”.

So while Walsh no longer coaches the team, he certainly remains an influence. Walsh has stated for a long time that the 49ers need to get back to the foundations of the West Coast Offense, and with Eric Johnson, the 49ers are one step closer. The next key step will be relying less on three receiver sets, and more on the traditional two receiver sets. The advantage to this change in formation is that it gives fewer hints to the defense at to whether the team intends to run or pass.