Injuries destroyed those hopes pretty early in the season. The 49ers were ravaged by injuries during Week 2 and could never really recover after that. As if the injuries throughout the year weren't enough, the team has been stuck in Arizona for the past month due to COVID-19 restrictions banning contact sports in Santa Clara County.
"We were six minutes away from being champions," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "We brought a lot of the guys back, ran into COVID, and by Week 2, we didn't have the same team. … We thought that was rock bottom, and it seems like 30 more things happened after that, all the way to being topped off with getting kicked out of your home."
One player who is looking forward to a better 2021 is star linebacker Fred Warner. He joined the 49ers Unscripted podcast this week and was asked to name three things he's most looking forward to in the new year.
"I did mention this in my presser this week, that I'm looking forward to seeing Nick Bosa back on the field," Warner told team reporter Keiana Martin. "Shout-out to Nick. I'm very excited for the season that he's going to have. It's going to be a great comeback."
That's one. The other two items are also football-related, which shows that Warner is focused on making sure the 2021 season is better than this one turned out to be. The linebacker's team goal, like the last offseason's, is a lofty one.
"I'm looking forward to having a great year, making it back to the Super Bowl (which would technically be 2022, but whatever)," Warner continued. "Got to speak it into existence now. And just trying to be my best self, I guess. Try to outdo the year I had this year.
"Those are all football things, but that's what I'm looking forward to."
You can listen to the entire 16-minute interview with Warner below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers injury update: John Lynch doesn't rule out Fred Warner's playoff return
The San Francisco 49ers aren't ruling out the possibility that star linebacker Fred Warner could return this postseason. Warner suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in Week 6, and early expectations were that he wouldn't play again until next year. Now, that timeline... -
Sources say 49ers LB Fred Warner could return for late postseason run
According to sources familiar with the situation, San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner has a chance to make it back for the postseason if the team makes it to the NFC Championship Game, or more likely, the Super Bowl. On Saturday, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo,... -
49ers LB Fred Warner eyes playoff return: "I've got a chance"
Fred Warner isn't ruling out a postseason return. The San Francisco 49ers linebacker suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in Week 6—an injury initially believed to be season-ending. However, recent reports indicate that if the 49ers advance deep into the playoffs,... -
49ers teammate shares candid thoughts on Brock Purdy's leadership, resilience
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy didn't open strong against the Chicago Bears, throwing a pick-six on the first offensive play and giving Chicago an immediate 7-0 lead. But Purdy quickly settled in, guiding the 49ers offense through a back-and-forth duel and...