The San Francisco 49ers got as close as possible to winning Super Bowl LVIII without actually doing it. The goal entering the 2024 season is a familiar annual expectation. It's Super Bowl or bust for the 49ers.
The 49ers have been among the league's most consistent teams since their breakout 2019 season. Kyle Shanahan's 49ers have won 10-plus contests in four of the last five campaigns. That reign of success has included four NFC Championship Game appearances, and two visits to the Super Bowl. Despite the annual dominance, achieving their main goal has remained frustratingly elusive.
The 49ers came painfully close to avenging their 2019 Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs this past season. Nursing a 10-0 lead near halftime, the two heavyweights exchanged scores throughout the second half, eventually sending the game to overtime. The 49ers managed a field goal on the opening possession, giving the Chiefs an opportunity to win Super Bowl LVIII with a touchdown, which is promptly what Patrick Mahomes did.
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. The 49ers enter the 2024 campaign as favorites to win the NFC again. Though many players have departed, a large portion of them were rotational, replaceable defenders, outside of veteran Arik Armstead, who became a necessary cap casualty. General manager John Lynch also added linebacker De'Vondre Campbell and EDGE Leonard Floyd to a core that still includes Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Javon Hargrave. The secondary is counting on ascending talents like Ji'Ayir Brown.
The offensive supporting cast is still arguably the best in the entire league. Third-year quarterback Brock Purdy remains on his rookie contract and should offer the 49ers maximum value as a legitimate MVP contender. He's still surrounded by elite weapons such as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle.
The current question is if back-to-back 1,000 yard receiver Brandon Aiyuk will still be a part of that core when the 2024 season officially kicks off. Aiyuk and the 49ers have been involved in a highly-publicized contract-related standoff all offseason long. He's officially requested a trade and is currently holding out of training camp (as is left tackle Trent Williams, another problem that needs solving).
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan tells reporters that Pro Bowl LT Trent Williams is not practicing for contract reasons, as he joins Brandon Aiyuk among SF players wanting a raise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2024
The 49ers spent their first-round pick in the 2024 draft on former Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall. Lynch later doubled down at the position by drafting Jacob Cowing. San Francisco certainly doesn't want to lose Aiyuk, but they're prepared for the worst case scenario.
Next offseason's inevitable contract extension for Purdy is already on Lynch's mind. It's within the realm of possibility that it'll be one of the largest salary increases in NFL history, with Purdy going from the "Mr. Irrelevant" contract to a multi-year extension that exceeds $55 million annually.
The 49ers will be favorites to capture their third consecutive NFC West title, but they have in-house issues to sort through. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are playoff contenders that believe they've shrunk the gap this offseason. The Arizona Cardinals aren't there yet, but are on the come-up.
The 49ers have been a model of consistency since 2019, though reaching the pinnacle has proven to be a slippery task. Shanahan and Lynch will continue receiving opportunities to get San Francisco over the hump. Winning the Super Bowl is the only way 2024 can be considered a successful campaign.
