Members of the 49ers organization, 49ers fans around the world and those who have started to grow tired of Patrick Mahomes before it’s become cool …
The 49ers are still one of the best teams in the NFC, maybe even all of the NFL, held back by just one thing, or, to the point, one player: Mahomes, who improved to 2-0 against them in Super Bowls at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Don’t listen to anyone who suggests the window of opportunity is closing for this group, which I believe is poised to make another run this season.
2024 brain trust
| POSITION | NAME |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Kyle Shanahan |
| General manager | John Lynch |
| Defensive coordinator | Nick Sorensen |
| Special teams coordinator | Brian Schneider |
Roster reshuffling
Below is a rundown of the 49ers’ most notable roster developments for the 2024 season, including this year’s draft class, as well as key acquisitions and departures via free agency and trade.
New faces to know
Leonard Floyd
With three of the six players who logged at least three sacks for them in 2023 (Arik Armstead, Clelin Ferrell and Javon Hargrave) departing this offseason, the 49ers needed some help with the pass rush. Though the 31-year-old Floyd technically qualifies as a “new face to know,” he’s actually something of a familiar face, having spent three seasons (2020-22) in the NFC West with the Rams, racking up 29 sacks in that period (two of which came in his most recent game against the Niners, in Week 8 of 2022). Last season with Buffalo, Floyd reached double digits in sacks (10.5) for the second time in his career.
Ricky Pearsall
The Niners have yet to give Brandon Aiyuk the extension he’s been seeking. Pearsall provides a little bit of insurance for the passing attack in case the situation with Aiyuk gets sticky. Even if Aiyuk settles in for the season (see my fantasy hot take below to learn what I think will happen) and Pearsall ends up sharing targets with him and Deebo Samuel, there’s reason to think the rookie will have an impact. Pearsall racked up 1,027 scrimmage yards (15.1 yards per touch) for the Florida Gators last season.
State of the QB
- What does Brock Purdy have to do to get your respect? In his five full playoff appearances (not counting his injury-shortened showing in the 2022 NFC title match), the 49ers are 4-1, and they’ve scored an average of 28 points. Since 2022, when he first entered the NFL, he’s led the league in quarterback winning percentage (.778), passing yards per attempt (9.1), TD-to-INT ratio (48:14) and passer rating (108.1) (including playoffs). So can we stop making Purdy talk about being a so-called “system quarterback” now? He was a finalist for MVP! Forget about asking whether Purdy is a top-10 QB, even; I’m thinking more about how high he ranks within the top 10.
- The chatter around Purdy reminds me a lot of the doubts faced by another quarterback early in his career, someone who went on to win a ton and, in fact, was recently roasted at the Forum — yes, I’m talking about Julian Edelman (who played quarterback in college). OK, I know it’s somewhat ridiculous to compare Purdy and Tom Brady. But it’s equally ridiculous to doubt Purdy’s legitimacy as a star.
Most important non-QB
Christian McCaffrey
There is no reason to over-think this. McCaffrey has averaged 115.4 scrimmage yards per game throughout his career. In 2023, he led the NFL in touches (339), scrimmage yards (2,023) — including a career-high 1,459 rushing yards — and scrimmage touchdowns (21). The most incredible part of McCaffrey’s time with San Francisco has been his durability. In his final two full seasons with the Panthers, in 2020 and ’21, McCaffrey was out for a combined 23 games. Since being traded to the Niners at the 2022 deadline, he’s missed just one game due to injury.
