The San Francisco 49ers face an immense challenge in their quest to return to the Super Bowl and redeem themselves of February's crushing defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only is it arduous for the Super Bowl champions to return to the big game, but it is also more so the case for the Super Bowl runner-ups.
Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young recently shared why COVID-19 creates an even greater challenge for head coach Kyle Shanahan and his 49ers. NFL coaches have had a lot of time on their hands to watch the film and break down what San Francisco's innovative offense accomplished last season.
"I'm sure that an incredible amount of time has been spent by 31 other coaches and staffs in the NFL to study (the 49ers)," Young told Matt Maiocco last week during a Zoom event to talk about and honor Dwight Clark. "And especially with COVID ... this is not the year you want to come off the innovator because now you're going to get stared at like never before,"
On coaches' watch lists will be the thrilling 49ers-Saints matchup from Week 14, says Young.
"There was innovation all over the place," Young said. "It was a remarkable game to watch (with) the play-callers and offensive coordination. I can't remember ever feeling that way ever before where I was just like, 'My gosh, the innovation and what's happening in this game is amazing.'"
Not only does Young feel other offenses will learn how to run many of those plays, but they will become better at defending against them, which could make things increasingly difficult for Shanahan during the upcoming season.
That isn't all bad, though.
"There's an extra level of challenge this year because the rest of the league now knows that they are the kings," Young added. "They're everybody's homecoming game. Every game that they play will be the biggest game that other teams play. The challenge will be put out there ... everyone is hyper-focused on the 49ers.
"They're going to be tested how great they are. They are great, but how great? And it will be tested this year, and it will be fun to watch because if they can kind of withstand that scrutiny, and that intensity, that's when you think, 'We're going to be great for a long time.'"
Young believes it is much easier to prove yourselves when you are overlooked. No one will overlook the 49ers this season.
Young concluded: "If they can do it this year, you've got to think they can do it every year for four or five years."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below. It begins at about the 11:50 mark.