The 2024 season has been a disappointment for the San Francisco 49ers. Actually, that's too nice. It's been a disaster. From contract disputes to players losing babies, a slew of injuries, and even a player being shot, 2024 has been a season the 49ers and their fans would like to forget.
But the team hasn't quit—well, except for that one linebacker who shall remain nameless. The 49ers have continued to play hard, and I suspect they will play hard in the season's final two games.
Speaking of those two games, this would be a good time to experiment. There are things they can do now to benefit the team in 2025. I've written out my suggestions for the 49ers—free of charge. But I doubt they'll listen. We have a long history of them ignoring my suggestions. Sometimes I've been right, like when I screamed, "Do not pick Jim Tomsula to be the head coach!" And sometimes I've been wrong, like when I uttered, "I'm sure Kyle Williams will be ok returning punts."
With that in mind, here are my five things the 49ers should do in the final two games (even though I doubt they'll heed my advice):
1. Play rookie WR Jacob Cowing more on offense
Jacob Cowing has been fine as the 49ers punt returner this season. He's protected the football better than the punt returners did last season. And while he hasn't been explosive as a returner, Cowing has been good enough, averaging 8.5 yards per return. You'd like your punt returner to be better than that, but Cowing is a rookie, and the special teams units have been horrible.
But why hasn't he played more snaps on offense? Cowing has likely not played as much because he's not blocking well enough in the run game, which is a prerequisite for wide receivers in a Kyle Shanahan offense. But in these final two games, maybe it's time Cowing got on the field more with the offense so Shanahan can use his speed to the 49ers' advantage.
San Francisco has been trying to find a wide receiver who can be a burner and create space, but they have not yet found that guy (see Gray, Danny). But Cowing is a more talented receiver than others they've brought in. If he will impact the offense in 2025, he should start playing more now. What do you have to lose?
2. Bench C Jake Brendel
I've been hard on Jake Brendel this season, and there's a reason. He's not very good. Brendel is not only the weak link on the offensive line, but he's also the weak link on the team. The 49ers must upgrade at center this offseason. And now would be a good time to try others at the position. Could Drake Nugent be any worse?
If the 49ers go into 2025 with Brendel penciled in as the starter at center, the offensive line will continue to struggle. All you have to do is listen to some film gurus like John Chapman, Jonnydel, and Anthony Robertson, and you'll see plays showing how Brendel is the weak link. You'll likely see plays where Brendel is just standing around, looking lost, while his QB is running for his life. And those aren't even the plays in which you can see him being pushed backward like he's on skates.
I'm ready to move on from Brendel, and I'd do it now. But the 49ers aren't going to make a change at center in these final two games.
3. Protect QB Brock Purdy by playing rookie Tanner Mordecai
I love Brock Purdy. I believe in Brock Purdy. But his offensive line has been bad for much of the season. Tackles Trent Williams and Jaylon Moore have been placed on IR (injured reserve). And now it looks like Spencer Burford and Aaron Banks are being declared out for Monday's game, while Colton McKivitz is listed as questionable. Do you want Purdy playing behind a makeshift line in a game that means a lot to the Detroit Lions and very little to the 49ers?
Rookie Dominic Puni has been excellent this season. He'll anchor the right guard spot, and McKivitz may be able to play. Besides those two, you have Brendel and some guys who may be worse than him.
Because of this, the 49ers should consider sitting Purdy and playing rookie Tanner Mordecai in the final two games. We don't need to see Joshua Dobbs or Brandon Allen. We already know who they are. I'd instead get a look at Mordecai and make sure the franchise QB is healthy in 2025. But the 49ers aren't going to sit Purdy.
4. Let Klay Kubiak call plays on offense
This is another one that won't happen, but it would be interesting. In the preseason, Shanahan had offensive passing game specialist Klay Kubiak call plays. The head coach said he did it because he wanted Kubiak to have the chance to do so. It was the preseason, so grading Kubiak's performance was hard. But I wouldn't mind seeing him do it in the final two games.
Now, this isn't in any way anti-Shanahan. He's still one of the best playcallers in the league. I wouldn't expect Kubiak to be as good as Shanahan, but there are some advantages to at least trying it for the final two games.
First, it would free Shanahan to focus more on making other decisions within the game. He's been criticized for his game management, and this would allow him to look at the game from a place other than behind his playbook.
Second, watching someone else call his plays could give Shanahan some insight into how the offense can improve and become less predictable. I don't believe Shanahan has regressed, but defenses are performing better against his offense this season, especially in the red zone. Perhaps it would do him some good to have someone else do it for a couple of games.
I'm also tempted to suggest they let Brandon Staley call the defense, but I'm interested to see if Nick Sorensen can do anything to slow down the Lions' offense. Sorensen will not be fired after the season, but if Shanahan is considering it, he may want more time to evaluate his defensive coordinator.
5. Finish
The 49ers have failed to do this in 2024. One reason the season has gone awry is that the 49ers haven't finished. They've let multiple fourth-quarter leads get away. I would like to see them finish the season strong by winning the last two games.
Most fans want the team to lose out to improve their draft pick. But winning a couple of games to close out the season, especially if one of the wins is over Detroit, is as impactful for the 49ers as getting a better draft pick. Imagine the boost in morale if the 49ers beat the Lions. In a season where it's mostly been negative, it could be a step in the right direction for a team that expects to return to Super Bowl contention next season. And with a couple of wins, the 49ers draft spot shouldn't change too much.
Will the 49ers consider doing any of these five things? They will work to finish strong and win the final two games, but I don't expect they'll even consider my other four suggestions. But it would make the final two games more interesting.