Despite a 5-5 record, the San Francisco 49ers remain in contention for the NFC West title thanks to a tightly contested division. While currently in last place, they are just one game behind the first-place Arizona Cardinals, who sit at 6-4.
Former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis believes San Francisco can secure its third consecutive division crown but argues that Kyle Shanahan's opportunity to lead this team to a Super Bowl title may have passed.
"I think there's a strong chance that they win the NFC West, especially with Christian McCaffrey back," Davis told DJ Siddiqi of SportsCasting.com. "But they're an example of what I tell everybody — every year is different. If you make it to the Super Bowl, you have to capitalize on that because next year is not promised."
McCaffrey, who recently returned from an Achilles tendinitis setback that sidelined him since the start of the season, has played in two games but has yet to rediscover his All-Pro form. Last season, he totaled 2,023 scrimmage yards and earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. The 49ers hope the dynamic version of McCaffrey will emerge in the critical weeks ahead.
"I can be a lot better," McCaffrey admitted after Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. "I feel like I can be a lot better. You know, to miss time with an injury is always tough. It's not an excuse. I know I can be a lot better. I feel it. It's coming. I just gotta get rolling."
As for the reason for the 49ers' struggles this season, Davis acknowledges that injuries have played a part. Quarterback Brock Purdy lost his top target, Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL on October 20, ending his season. Aiyuk, who held out during the offseason over a contract dispute, struggled to produce even before his injury.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has also been absent, sidelined since February with a torn Achilles. His loss has left a significant void on defense.
"Their biggest problem is with the injuries," Davis noted. "They had some of their best players go down. That's one of the biggest things — without talent, it's hard to do anything. They make up the team — not all of the team — but they add a lot of value."
In addition to injuries, Davis speculated that there might be deeper issues within the 49ers' organization, contributing to their underwhelming 2024 campaign. This comes after the team reached the Super Bowl last season only to fall short of securing the championship.
"It could be the upper management. It could be that front office," Davis suggested. "Maybe there's something turbulent going on in the front office, maybe the team is just not gelling. It's like a bike — if that chain isn't all put together properly, the bike's not going to go. That chain's going to pop. Maybe there's a glitch amongst this team."
Davis knows firsthand the challenges of reaching the Super Bowl and falling short. As a member of the 2012 49ers under coach Jim Harbaugh, he played on a roster loaded with talent that came just short of winning Super Bowl XLVII.
"Just because you have this rockstar team doesn't mean you're going to make it back there," Davis said. "It's not guaranteed. It's not supposed to happen that way. I know from experience during the Jim Harbaugh era. We had a crazy team. That team was stacked with talent, but we struggled. We made it but couldn't get back. A lot of things can happen between that time and now."