SANTA CLARA – Half of the 49ers’ roster is new. The team needed this offseason program to achieve more than getting guys in shape and back on the field. They needed to form a reliable bond between the seasoned veterans and the hot-shot newcomers.

And they needed Navy SEALs to help.

The 49ers spent a recent week submerged, so to speak, in SEALs training to transform them back into an elite, special operations force in the NFL – by air and land, but probably not the sea, all due respect to the Navy’s historic unit.

Activities aside, what the 49ers really tapped into was the benefit of communication, from hearing awe-inspiring stories from the SEALs to discovering heartfelt nuggets about their teammates’ backgrounds.

This 49ers regime, led by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager

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