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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."
Brock Purdy isn't one to seek the spotlight. He exudes politeness, respect, and an even-keeled demeanor when speaking to reporters during interviews. Nothing we've seen from the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's time off the field would indicate that it's a facade.
However, on the field, Purdy can show some fire, particularly after a big play or in an effort to ensure his teammates are on the same page as him. While praising the third-year quarterback, one unnamed former NFL executive expressed a desire to see more of that fire from Purdy in the future, believing it is crucial to his development.
"Brock Purdy is one of the most talented arms that I've seen," the former executive recently
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group caught up with Brock Purdy over the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback hosted his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium. Today, Purdy and most of his teammates will report to the team for the start of the offseason program, which will be limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation over the next couple of weeks.
While this offseason holds significance for Purdy as he seeks to build upon an impressive 2023 campaign that saw him set a single-season franchise
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
