49ers fans weigh in: Was 2024 a fluke or a warning sign?

The San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. They have been a consistent championship contender in recent years. However, injuries and costly mistakes plagued the team this season, ultimately derailing their postseason hopes.

We polled fans to ask whether the 49ers' disappointing 2024 campaign was just an aberration or a sign that the team's Super Bowl window had slammed shut. Most fans expressed confidence that head coach Kyle Shanahan will guide the 49ers back to the playoffs next season.

In response to the team's 6-11 finish, Shanahan made significant changes to his coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider were let go.

The 49ers brought back Robert Saleh, the former New York Jets head coach who served as the team's defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, to replace Sorensen. They hired Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer to take on the same role in Santa Clara, replacing Schneider.

Shanahan remains optimistic that these changes, combined with better injury luck, will help the 49ers bounce back and return to championship form.

Most expect the team to invest significantly in quarterback Brock Purdy this offseason, potentially limiting spending at other positions. Purdy set a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards in 2023, but his numbers in 2024 were more modest. Much of the dip in production can be attributed to injuries that sidelined key playmakers like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk for much of the season, hindering Purdy's success.

If the 49ers can stay healthier in 2025 and general manager John Lynch finds creative ways to maintain and bolster a competitive roster, the team will have a strong chance to rebound and reestablish itself as a championship contender.