Kurtenbach: The 49ers tried to hide lame-duck QB Jimmy Garoppolo all season — now they need him to carry the team

The San Francisco 49ers remain among the betting favorites to win Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next year. The Bay Area team being favored in most of its 17 games on the 2024 schedule shouldn't surprise anyone. San Francisco is coming off a Super Bowl appearance, after all. However, the Niners aren't just favored in most of the games. According to Pro Football Talk, they are favored in all of them, including their Week 7 Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs—likely due to the game being played at Levi's Stadium. "Some of the 49ers' game look like blowouts: They're favored by 11.5 at

Rumors circulated before and during the 2024 NFL Draft about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers losing one of their top two wide receivers—Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Such a scenario could have significantly impacted the team's success in the upcoming season and posed a potential blow for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrived alongside the dynamic duo on the field. However, none of these speculations came to fruition. Both Aiyuk and Samuel remain on the roster, at least for another season, though their future beyond that remains uncertain. Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension that would position him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. At the same time, Samuel already commands a significant salary following a deal rework in 2022.

The Kansas City Chiefs might have clinched back-to-back Super Bowl victories, including February's overtime triumph over the San Francisco 49ers. Still, one NFL analyst won't declare Andy Reid's squad the best in the league heading into a new season. That distinction goes to the Super Bowl runner-up. The NFL unveiled its complete 2024 schedule on Wednesday. When asked which Super Bowl participant has the best chance of returning to the big game in the upcoming season, Fox Sports analyst Craig Carton didn't hesitate to respond, "San Francisco." "They're the best team in football, and it's not even close," he continued. "They're the best team, not just in football, they're the best team in the NFC. There's three or four teams that are obviously going to give them a

The full 2024 NFL schedule is set for release tomorrow night. However, the NFL has given fans a sneak peek by unveiling the opener for the San Francisco 49ers. The Bay Area team will host quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium on Monday, September 9, at 5:20 p.m. PT. The game will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes. Can't. Wait. 🍿🤩 @nyjets-@49ers on Sept. 9 | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes