Which was the outlier? Is it the 49ers' impressive Super Bowl run following the 2019 season or the injury-plagued 2020 season that resulted in just six wins? ESPN writer Bill Barnwell believes it's the former and listed the 49ers among his predicted 14 teams to earn a playoff spot next season.
Barnwell lists the 49ers as the No. 4 seed in the NFC, behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys. That means he has San Francisco winning the NFC West next season. Although, the ESPN writer admits to not knowing who the 49ers starting quarterback might be.
"Regardless of who it ends up being, he's likely to be better than what the Niners had in 2020, when Garoppolo started and finished only three total games," wrote Barnwell.
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the 49ers quarterback situation. Jimmy Garoppolo received votes of confidence from Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who said Garoppolo is expected to be the team's starter in 2021. However, that hasn't slowed the media chatter surrounding a potential upgrade.
The 49ers also had some coaching-staff departures this offseason, including defensive coordinator Robert Saleh leaving to be the New York Jets' head coach. The team will (hopefully) be healthier next season, though. That will give the 49ers an immediate boost and help them make another playoff run.
"As good as Saleh has been over the last two years, every team in the league would prefer 16 games of pass-rusher Nick Bosa to a full season from a defensive coordinator," added Barnwell. "The 49ers should look more like their 2019 selves in 2021, and that should get them back atop the NFC West."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' loss to Seahawks exposed a deeper problem heading into playoffs
It was the perfect storm. The 49ers went into the game Saturday night without their number 1 wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall. The significance of that was straightforward: quarterback Brock Purdy would need a little more time to throw since the player who can threaten the... -
49ers injury updates: San Francisco enters playoffs with mounting health concerns
The San Francisco 49ers battled through injuries all season and still carried a six-game winning streak into their Week 18 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. With the NFC West title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, and home-field advantage at stake, the 49ers fell flat... -
49ers ready to 'embrace the hard way' in playoffs after losing home-field advantage to Seahawks
An extremely rare opportunity was there for the taking on Saturday night for the San Francisco 49ers, who had the chance to secure home field advantage all the way through the Super Bowl with a win over the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, the 49ers will have to take the long road... -
Shanahan shares tough injury news ahead of playoffs, Fred Warner update
The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field after dropping to the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff standings following a Week 18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters during a Monday...