The San Francisco 49ers are headed to Miami for the team's first Super Bowl since the 2012 season. That one they lost. This time, they hope things will be different.
The team got to this point thanks to a complete rehaul following an embarrassing two-win 2016 season. That included a change at head coach and general manager. It opened the doors for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to come in, armed with six-year contracts, methodically rebuild the talent-depleted roster, and build their vision for a championship-caliber squad.
Three years later, Shanahan and Lynch have their 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, where they will face the Kansas City Chiefs. The two are midway through their contracts. Is it too early to start thinking about rewarding the duo who got the team to this point, and did so sooner than most anticipated?
49ers CEO Jed York sounds open to the possibility of contract extensions for Shanahan and Lynch.
"I want those guys here for a long time," York told Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. "If they want to do something, I'd be happy to do it."
The relationship between York, Lynch, and Shanahan is much more harmonious than the one that existed with the previous regime. The trio seems to genuinely enjoy working together, and there is a level of respect for one another that is unique to this group.
The early struggles, which included just 10 wins over the first two seasons, prepared the 49ers for this run. They know how to deal with adversity. They know what it is like to face insurmountable odds. No one envisioned San Francisco hoisting the George Halas Trophy with the chance to hold the Lombardi. Yet, they believed in each other, and here they are.
"Those guys do have each other's back," York said of Shanahan and Lynch. "Not that it's been perfect, not that we've made every single right decision, but when the culture is right. When you have each other's back, it gives you a chance. You need some level of talent, which we have on this team, but if you don't have the culture, you have no chance."
York has endured criticisms and come a long way since his famous "You don't dismiss owners" message to the media. He could have boasted about the team's turnaround, one that he initiated after several hard lessons learned. Instead, he just sounded excited to have his 49ers back competing for a championship.
York is proud, but that pride is directed at the hard work of those who helped get the team to this point.