The unexpected cutting of Jarryd Hayne from the San Francisco 49ers roster has caused waves of confusion in the team’s new Aussie fan contingent, but experts and long-time supporters alike have also questioned the team’s decision.
Scotts, who played for the Arizona Cardinals, claimed last year that Hayne had a “zero point one chance of making it.” Since then, and following from Hayne’s blistering pre-season performances, Scotts’ stance on the player’s prospects eased.
“He was excelling in all expectations, and you throw him out there in one or two plays and, yes he’s made a mistake.”
Not saying Jarryd Hayne was a sure thing. But he had obvious talent. Cut him now? What was the point to any of this? https://t.co/A3dqA6Ssy3
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) October 31, 2015
In the midst of dealing with Antipodean fans’ immense disappointment, American supporters have by-and-large damned the player’s downgrade on the team’s subreddit. One user described the team as a “dumpster fire”, while another claimed “Hayne really was the only thing that kept my spirits up during this really shirty (sic) year.
“That amazing preseason, no matter what caliber of player he was going up against, showed flashes of pure brilliance… I am torn between wanting Hayne to move onto a less dysfunctional team that can truly utilize his obvious talents and hoping he makes the practice squad because of his obvious upsides.”
Twitter has witnessed some similar sentiments, with fans equally confused by 49ers’ management.
Dear @49ers front office.You guys are terrible at making decisions for the better of this beloved franchise.Please kindly waive yourselves.
— Keith Duenas (@KEEF671) October 31, 2015
@49ers I am done. I have seen enough from this front office. I am retiring from being a 49er faithful.
— Michael Kelley (@TheRealMKelley) October 31, 2015
Oh, good, waive Jarryd Hayne. The only player that the #49ers fan base was excited about this offseason. What a pathetic team this is.
— Jason Stidham (@jstidham1) October 31, 2015
Despite the recent turmoil, Hayne’s Australian agent Wayne Beavis doubled down on the player’s commitment to the NFL in a brief statement, saying “there’s no chance of him coming back [to Australia], none at all.”
