Retired defensive back Logan Ryan spent the end of last season with the San Francisco 49ers, joining the team for its push toward Super Bowl LVIII. During his time in the locker room, Ryan got to know the team intimately and recently offered a unique perspective on its future.
Sitting down with Colin Cowherd on FS1's "The Herd," Ryan emphasized that the 49ers are in their window to win a championship. The team came close last season, losing the Super Bowl clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, but they hope to get over the hump in 2024.
"I think this is a window right now, and they're in it," Ryan told Cowherd. "And we know with great teams or trying to win championships or trying to contend and get to that level year to year, that takes a toll. It's really hard."
Ryan is referring to the fact that the 49ers play more games than most NFL teams due to their consistently deep playoff runs. That means more practices and more wear and tear on players' bodies.
"That adds up, and I think San Fran is right in it," Ryan continued. "And they know, with the roster they have, when they pay Brock Purdy—and they will pay Brock Purdy—that they cannot keep everybody else. So I think that the foundational pieces of what we see, a [George] Kittle, a Deebo [Samuel], a Trent [Williams], a Fred [Warner], a [Nick] Bosa, a [Javon] Hargrave, it's hard to keep all those pieces together for five, 10 years if you're not winning championships.
"This is their window right now. They're in it. I think they're right in it. I think last year was a great opportunity. Obviously, we're sick about that, but this year, I think they're the team. I think this is their year."
As far as team buy-in, the 49ers locker room believes in what the team is doing and is committed to working together towards their collective goals.
"Those players really want it," Ryan commented. "Those players do give a lot. Fred Warner's working out right now. ... This guy is a tremendous worker."
From the moment Ryan stepped into the building and saw several of the team's stars working out at the facility during their day off, he knew the team was destined to do something special. Unfortunately, the 49ers came up just short of finishing on top.
Reflecting on February's Super Bowl loss, Ryan added, "We went up against a great quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, and he had a great drive at the end of the game."
