SANTA CLARA – After probably the most disappointing regular season in franchise history, it might have been improper to say so publicly, nevertheless it actually appeared like the 49ers wouldn't be changing much when it comes to organizational philosophy, scheme and personnel in 2025.
They'll do it again with largely the identical forged and hope for higher luck. Four championship games and two Super Bowls in a five-year span trumps one terrible season. Since this shouldn’t be a playoff team, there can be additional rest that comes with a No. 11 overall pick within the draft and a positive schedule for the ultimate spot.
Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch sat in front of the media at their season-ending press conference on Wednesday and asked a whole lot of questions that, at 6-11, they’re only now finding answers to concerning the 2024 faceplants.
But should you were expecting sweeping changes, you'll must wait one other 12 months for something like 6/11. happened again.
The 49ers fired defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, but promoted passing game specialist Klay Kubiak to offensive coordinator. With Shanahan still calling the plays.
In a producing company, the dismissals of Sorensen and Schneider were justified. As for the offense, it's not like Shanahan goes to fireplace himself. He's the guy who runs the show, and should you know anything about Shanahan, he's extremely confident in the way in which he runs his business.
When the 49ers hire their fourth coordinator in 4 years, we'll see largely the identical defensive schemes, with occasional changes if the top coach approves. It could possibly be defensive assistant Brandon Staley, nevertheless it's more likely that it's certainly one of a couple of serious candidates who aren't represented by the corporate.
“I want someone who aligns with what I believe in, but you have to come up with the best possible fit that fits our current situation,” Shanahan said.
The same goes for special teams, where Sorensen is a possibility and has experience in that area.
Left tackle Trent Williams and running back Christian McCaffrey are back and expected to be healthy, Williams recovering from a deep ankle bruise that ended his season early, and McCaffrey recovering from Achilles tendonitis and a PCL strain. None of the cornerstones required surgery.
The return date for Brandon Aiyuk (torn ACL) is an open query, but they get the second 12 months with a full offseason for Ricky Pearsall Jr. and Jauan Jennings. There's little likelihood the 49ers will part ways with George Kittle, the team's most efficient veteran and winner of the Len Eshmont Award for inspirational and courageous play. Maybe he'll even get a contract extension.
As for the speculation that Deebo Samuel was leaving town, Lynch appeared to put an end to that.
“Deebo is under contract,” Lynch said. “Good player, he's done a lot for this organization and it's not our job to let good players out here.”
Shanahan said he expects quarterback Brock Purdy to be around so long as he’s coach.
Age and wear and tear are an element with Williams, McCaffrey, Kittle and Samuel, nevertheless it may be a playoff offense.
Shanahan and Lynch appear to think so.
The key defensive players include edge rusher Nick Bosa, middle linebacker Fred Warner, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and two members of the secondary who made a big effect of their rookie seasons – cornerback Renardo Green and safety Malik Mustapha.
As much because the 49ers would really like to have Dre Greenlaw back, if one other team made a giant offer, he would likely be gone. The same goes for defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who can seek his own deal as a free agent, including to the 49ers if the worth is correct.
As for special teams, there was no mention of placekicker Jake Moody. The 49ers would really like to imagine that the three-week absence because of a high ankle sprain on the hitting foot doomed his season, but they can be able to move on if Moody looks or sounds shaky within the offseason program.
Special teams were never a giant a part of the equation under Shanahan anyway, although Lynch and the top coach tried to ward off on a narrative pushed by Shanahan by admitting that he was just in search of special teams to avoid losing games reasonably than winning them.
Lynch even stepped in as the first blocker for an issue directed at Shanahan about his indifference to special teams.
“Let me help Kyle there,” Lynch said. “I would tell you Kyle spends an inordinate amount of time on all phases of our team.”
For his part, Shanahan said, “Special teams is part of football and everything that is part of football is extremely important to us.”
For anyone hoping that the Shanahan-Lynch tandem has reached its expiration date, the 2 seem like as committed to their partnership as ever and intend to place things back together in 2025 with lots of the same pieces. This isn't Terry Donahue-Steve Mariucci or Trent Baalke-Jim Harbaugh. Far from it.
“John went into this with the right intent, he wanted to put together a team to win a Super Bowl and that’s what he’s committed to,” Shanahan said.
Lynch said: “When we got here we felt united and that has only increased since we've been here. And that's not always the case. It's not just about blind loyalty and blind trust. It’s earned every year.”
There is a growing segment of an impatient fan base that’s skeptical of the concept that the 49ers could bounce back and not using a major rebuild of their desire for a championship which will never come. Not winning a Super Bowl is forgivable. Being a follower shouldn’t be that.
They'll recover from it when the 49ers get back to double-digit wins in 2025. If that doesn't occur, next 12 months's season-ending press conference could possibly be preceded by a straightforward announcement announcing the firing of their coach and general manager.
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