49ers’ Raheem Mostert on pressure next season: ‘Our odds are a lot greater than most people think’

The San Francisco 49ers aren't going to sneak up on anyone next season, especially the fans. The expectations following this past season's surprise Super Bowl run will be sky-high.

There wasn't too much pressure entering 2019, and merely making the playoffs would have met or even exceeded most expectations. The team was, after all, coming off a four-win season, so the bar was set low.

Then 8-0 happened, and everyone wanted more.

The 49ers went on to finish 13-3, win their division and home-field advantage in dramatic fashion, and embarrass opponents on the way to Super Bowl LIV.

This offseason, the 49ers will work on maintaining their strong locker-room chemistry, all while helping any new additions adopt the team-first mentality.

But what about the potential added pressure resulting from San Francisco's surprising success this past season?

"I don't think that there's going to be any pressure going into next season because I know where our team stands," running back Raheem Mostert said on Wednesday as he cleaned out his locker. "Our odds are a lot greater than most people think simply because —we're going to be losing some guys here in the offseason — but we're going to be gaining some guys. But the core values of this team are always going to be the same, regardless."

What pressure?

If anything, the 49ers are more motivated now than ever. They now know what it is like to come so close to their ultimate goal, and fall just short. The crushing fourth-quarter collapse and loss will only fuel the 49ers next season, possibly making the team very dangerous.

And now, no one can say San Francisco lacks experience on sports' biggest stage. For two years, the team worked hard, all while trying to learn to win. Now, it knows how to win and overcome adversity.

"We have the formula," Mostert continued. "We know what it takes. We've got guys that have been to the dance, now. It's just more motivation than anything."

Mostert and Damien Williams exchanged jerseys after the Super Bowl as the Chiefs running back offered up words of support following the 49ers loss. Williams may have regretted the decision to give away the jersey he wore during the biggest game of his life.

Mostert plans to make sure he gets his jersey back — you know, rather than sell it on eBay or something.

"I know the sentimental value that it has to him just because we're brothers, and I know where he comes from, and stuff like that, and the journey he had to take," Mostert said. "It's a little bit similar to my situation."