The San Francisco 49ers faced a disappointing 2024 season. Injuries were a significant factor in the team's 6-11 finish, but mental mistakes also contributed to the struggles, leaving the team eager to address these issues during the offseason.
This offseason is crucial for the 49ers, who are determined to prove that last season was an anomaly, not a sign of things to come. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, the architects of the 49ers' recent success, are focused on securing a contract extension for young quarterback Brock Purdy, expected to be the largest deal in franchise history. While this will limit salary-cap flexibility, owner Jed York remains confident in Lynch and Shanahan's ability to turn the team around.
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Levi's Stadium, the 49ers' home field, will host Super Bowl LX next year. With a strong core of returning players like Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Fred Warner, and more, hope remains inside the building that the 49ers can compete for a chance to play in that game.
"There's so much work before you get to that point," York told the Associated Press' Josh Dubow. "Obviously it started at the end of the season to get this thing ready and get this thing right and get this thing back on track. There's no one that I respect more and trust more than John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to get us back on track."
While the 49ers have benefitted from Purdy, the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, being on a rookie contract, that advantage will soon end. However, York is confident the team will secure their young quarterback with a long-term deal.
"I know we want Brock to be here for a long time and we'll do everything we can to make that work," York said.
Purdy has impressed both on and off the field. While the 2024 season didn't go as hoped, he led the team to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in his first two years. His on-field leadership and his grounded personality have strengthened the team's confidence in him.
"Brock is just a tremendous human being," York added. "I'm looking forward to a long-term partnership."