The San Francisco 49ers’ playoff hopes are virtually over after losing another gut-wrencher to the Los Angeles Rams in a touchdown-less snooze fest. The Rams secured a crucial division win, moving to 8-6 and top of the NFC West.
Meanwhile, the 49ers now drop to 6-8, leaving them two games behind the Rams and Seahawks. Despite being mathematically alive, realistically, they won’t be seeing playoff football this season.
With their season effectively over, we can now look at this franchise’s prospects. The season’s remaining games hold little significance for the 49ers, barring a major late-season collapse from the aforementioned divisional foes.
Brock Purdy’s Inconsistent Season Raises Questions
Brock Purdy did not do himself any favors with his contract entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The quarterback market is at an all-time high, with Dak Prescott signing a four-year, $240 million deal with the Cowboys. Despite Prescott’s underwhelming playoff record — two playoff wins in nine years, one of which came against an 8-9 Buccaneers team — Purdy’s agent will likely demand top dollar for his client.
However, Purdy’s season has been marred by inconsistency. He had crucial turnovers in the loss to the Vikings, was flat-out terrible against the Chiefs, and struggled again this past week against the Rams. Other poor performances, like the second Seahawks game and the matchup with the Bills, have made this the worst season of his career.
While Purdy had some bright moments — like his stellar performance in Week 3 against the Rams without Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey — the inconsistencies this season put his potential contract extension in a dicey position.
Decisions Loom on Veteran Players
The 49ers also face significant decisions regarding their veteran players this offseason. Entering the season, the Niners had the seventh-oldest team in the league but did well in drafting rookies who made an immediate impact. Still, players like Samuel, Kittle, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa will be major talking points for general manager John Lynch and the 49ers’ higher-ups.
The franchise is at a crossroads. Should they continue to pursue a Lombardi Trophy with this current core of players, or scrap it and rebuild with a younger unit, as the Buffalo Bills did this offseason? The team must decide which veteran contracts to offload and which players will be part of the 49ers’ next chapter.
Rebuilding the Defensive Line is Crucial
The 49ers need to return to their identity of building from the inside out, starting with the defensive line.
Under John Lynch’s leadership, the team selected three defensive linemen in the first round of his first four drafts. However, in the last four drafts, the 49ers have not taken a single defensive lineman in the first round.
Some of this is due to the 49ers not having a first-round pick in 2022 and 2023, but part of it reflects the regime losing sight of what made their defense great. Reestablishing their identity — a physical, dominant defensive line — is key to bringing back the aggressive style of football the 49ers have been known for.
Offense Must Rediscover Its Physical Edge
The 49ers’ offense also needs to return to its smash-mouth roots.
The physicality that defined their early years of success — where any running back could dominate defenses — has disappeared. The offense has evolved into a finesse, pass-heavy system, which has sometimes worked because of Brock Purdy’s solid play. However, when the passing game falters and key receivers are out, the lack of a reliable ground game becomes glaring.
Trickery and constant pre-snap motions that once confused defenses have been replaced by a straightforward drop-back offense. This puts tremendous pressure on Brock Purdy to be a superstar every game, and when he struggles, so does the offense. Reintroducing a physical, smash-mouth run game will provide balance and take pressure off Purdy.
Major Offseason Decisions Ahead
The 49ers face a pivotal offseason. John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan must answer tough questions and make critical decisions about the team’s future. The Buffalo Bills made similar hard choices this past offseason, and their success—sitting second in the AFC at 11-3—proves the value of bold moves.
Whether the 49ers rebuild or keep their current roster, this offseason will define the franchise’s next chapter.
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