The 49ers needed four years to return to the Super Bowl between their first and second appearances under Kyle Shanahan. But with the exception of an injury-riddled 2020 season, San Francisco remains a consistent NFC playoff powerhouse that will have a good shot at winning the conference again in 2024.
Unfortunately, the 49ers lost their second shot at a ring vs. the Chiefs under Shanahan as they were outlasted in overtime, 25-22 in Super Bowl 58. They still have unfinished business. They also need to avoid the hangover in the 2020 season after losing to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 54 that saw them plummet out of the playoffs, into last place in the NFC West.
The NFC as a whole will have its usual slew of formidable challengers, including the Lions, Cowboys, Eagles and Packers. The 49ers will need to maintain their edge against those 2023 playoff teams plus some new upstarts by addressing key issues in the offseason ahead.
Here are the five biggest questions facing the 49ers ahead of next season in their quest to return to the Super Bowl:
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Offensive line and receiving corps
The 49ers' offensive line can keep counting on future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams through age 36, as he's coming off another elite season. But the rest could use some upgrades given journeyman interior blocker Jon Feliciano, near 32, was their next best lineman in 2023.
Feliciano and swing backup Matt Pryor are pending free agents. Right tackle Colton McKivitz struggled replacing Mike McGlinchey, now with the Broncos. Left guard Aaron Banks and center Jake Brendel were shaky elsewhere inside.
The 49ers are in a tight cap situation, but there's a lot of great value for inside and outside line upgrades throughout the 2024 draft, during which the 49ers have 11 picks, including 6 in the first four rounds.
At wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk is still under his rookie first-round contract through '24, but the 49ers need consider whether they should trade him for high value, given they're already paying key targets Deebo Samuel and George Kittle substantial salaries on their deals. The 49ers also need to decide whether to tender and keep Jauan Jennings as a restricted free agent.
Don't be surprised if San Francisco would use one of its higher picks on a wideout given the position, much like offensive line, is strong throughout in the 2024 class.
Give Nick Bosa more help in the pass rush
The 49ers traded for Bosa's former Ohio State teammate Chase Young, but the former Commander is a pending free agent at the other defensive end. In addition, at tackle, Javon Kinlaw (a disappointing first-rounder), Kevin Givens and Sebastian Joseph-Day are unsigned behind Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead.
San Francisco needs to boost tts ability to get to the quarterback outside first and also bolster the inside rotation. There are strong options throughout the draft for versatile pass rushers, too.
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Get better in the secondary, especially at cornerback
The 49ers have one of the league's best outside corners in former Chief Charvarius Ward, but behind him, there have been some coverage issues with Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas and others. It would make sense to add at least add some quality depth, with a need to improve handling slot receivers.
At safety, the 49ers will be OK should Talanoa Hufanga come back well from his midseason torn AC. Tashaun Gipson played well at the other spot next to Hufanga's fill-in rookie Ji'Ayir Brown, but he's a free agent ahead of turning 34. It makes sense then to target a free safety type who can be an ace in nickel package coverage.
Can they still ride Christian McCaffrey to another big season?
McCaffrey is coming off winning his first league rushing title with 1,459 at age 27. He also won his second scrimmage yards crown with the appropriate 2,023 yards in 2023, along with a league-high 21 touchdowns. He's fully healthy in his prime and is under contract for two more years, before he turns 30.
Going back to his early NFL days as the Panthers' first-rounder in 2017, McCaffrey is racking up the mileage. up to averaging a shade under 20 touches per game. McCaffrey was managed well and has had great durability the past two seasons, but the 49ers need to wary of pushing McCaffrey earlier into attrition. The 49ers' ace zone blocking should improve, giving the team more reason to give CMC more relief with solid backups Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason.
How much should the 49ers be thinking ahead to Purdy's new contract?
The 49ers cannot extend Purdy from his rookie seventh-round deal until after January 2025. There won't be 2024 offseason negotiations between the breakout second-year QB to either weigh on him or the team. But the 49ers, who already need to hack away a little for cap compliance now, must look ahead to how much in relation to the top of the QB market they would need pay him.
That might affect some decisions in advance, such as needing to move Aiyuk instead of extending him. The 49ers have the current luxury of financial flexibility as Purdy is grossly underpaid as their starting QB. But as that bargain benefit fades away, they have tougher calls ahead on other valuable personnel.
