The San Francisco 49ers had a bad season in 2024. And they certainly don't need to be reminded of that. Neither do the fans, by the way.
Whether it was losses (11), injuries (many), or the fact that the Super Bowl hangover is a real thing, the 49ers are ready to move on and put that abysmal season in the past. Future Hall of Famer Trent Williams admits that the 49ers limped into the 2024 season, physically and emotionally. But this offseason has been different.
"I mean, it's two extremes, right? You go from having the shortest offseason to having the longest offseason that you could be allowed as an NFL team," Williams told reporters on Tuesday. "One thing, it was very difficult to come back after what was kind of, I think for a lot of people, one of the most traumatic events you experience in sports, just losing the Super Bowl, and the depression that comes behind that. And then only having a little bit of time before it's right back to OTAs and summer workouts and trying to put something behind you that, it took me a long time, like even into the last last season, even playing the [Kansas City] Chiefs again, I felt that, that hurt.
"So I say that to say I think this offseason could have been a blessing in disguise. We'll see. We obviously refreshed the roster, and we got some younger guys. But I think in the long run it should help us having that time off."
And that doesn't even take into account the tragedies the players dealt with last season, when Williams and Charvarius Ward both lost children. That devastates an individual, but it also has a profound impact on their teammates. And while there's no way to replace a life lost, Williams is choosing to focus on what is good in life.
"So every day, thank God for being able to have air in my lungs. I know that's not promised. And I just keep moving forward, knowing that what's in the rearview is in the rearview. It may shape who you are going forward, but I don't think you should let it linger and let it affect who you are going forward," Williams said.
With a new offseason comes new hope. And the reported "good vibes" coming from Santa Clara aren't only coming from those close to the team. David Helman, a writer for Fox Sports, made a list of NFL teams who missed the postseason in 2024 and ranked them according to their odds of making the playoffs in 2025 (odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook).
And where do the 49ers rank? Fans may be happy to see San Francisco listed in the top spot.
Of the 18 teams who missed the 2024 postseason, the 49ers have the best odds (-200) of making it into the 2025 postseason, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys.
"I think we're all writing the 49ers off a bit early," Helman wrote. "There's been some attrition in the Bay Area, and this is no longer the Infinity Gauntlet roster from 2022. It's still a quality roster, so long as the veterans can stay healthy. That is a gamble, to be fair, but it's one I'm willing to make. It feels a little less risky when you look at San Francisco's schedule.
"By virtue of finishing fourth in the NFC West last year, the Niners are facing about as forgiving a slate as you could hope to see. They only play four games against 2024 playoff teams — two games against the division rival Rams, along with road trips to Tampa Bay and Houston. They also play a whopping seven games against teams that drafted in the top 10 this spring. There are no guarantees, but I think a bounce-back is coming."
The 49ers still have a lot of good players, a handful of All-Pros, Pro Bowlers, and quality starters. Some believe the championship window has closed, but the mindset and mood of the team heading into training camp are much different from what they were a year ago. That team was hurting, struggling. This team is hungry, healthier, and more focused.
Perhaps 2024 was just what the 49ers needed.