The San Francisco 49ers are looking to rebound from a heartbreaking Super Bowl defeat and return to the NFL's big game in the upcoming season. The road won't be easy; getting there once, much less twice in a row, is challenging.
The Kansas City Chiefs accomplished that feat, beating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII and then, in February, the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Their journey was an uphill battle. Kansas City won the AFC West but entered the postseason as the third seed. They had to knock off the top two seeds on their way to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers overcame adversity differently. They were the top seed in the NFC but had to mount comebacks in each of their playoff victories leading up to their clash with the Chiefs.
Former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, speaking to Al Sacco and Brian Renick on the "No Huddle" podcast, discussed the current team's chances of getting back to the NFL title game, saying, "Well, I think if the 49ers are able to keep the same team together and add more pieces to the puzzle, I think they have a legitimate shot."
San Francisco continues to boast one of the NFL's top rosters. The defensive line underwent a makeover, losing defensive tackle Arik Armstead but adding pass-rushing standout Leonard Floyd. The draft brought in reinforcements at wide receiver and in the defensive backfield.
While uncertainty remains for the offensive line, particularly along its right side, the offense still boasts one of the best groups of playmakers in the league with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle. This should help third-year quarterback Brock Purdy as he seeks to turn in another productive season.
"I think right now, for what the 49ers have, they have a lot of playmakers, man," Davis said. "And for me, I think if they have the same mindset of if everybody does their job and they have that same attitude and approach to the game like they did last year and the year before, I think they can really do some wonderful things.
"But like I said, it all has to be there. I'm not a psychic. I'm not. I can't really forecast and tell you exactly what's going to happen, but I can say that if everyone has that same mindset, they have a legitimate chance."