If the most successful NFL in football particularly running an NFC for
basically three of the last six seasons, you've been watching rocks. Yes,
that team in San Francisco has built teams to compete for
championships. For the Niners, this season hasn't produced results
coming off a Super Bowl hangover in 2023. Playing below the standards
and showing attrition, age and fatigue, all of it adds up.
After the 35-10 loss Sunday night in Buffalo, injury to insult as reigning
Offensive Player of The Year Christian McCaffrey is done for 2023. A
knee injury suffered in the loss is the story of a team whose identity is
centric around CMC. To go along with many other players battling
injuries and personal losses, San Francisco may have to shut down key
players to retain health in 2025.
That's not the only issue they're facing as contracts come into play.
Quarterback Brock Purdy will be entering the final year of his rookie
deal. Being drafted as "Mr. Irrelevant" in 2022, he's led this team deep
into January and February. His stats for this year hasn't been great with
key pieces in and out of the lineup. But when everyone is healthy, the
Niners are essentially unstoppable. General Manager John Lynch has
maxed this salary cap and used draft equity to build a championship
roster. As stated, injuries have derailed the well-oiled machine. Head
coach Kyle Shannahan has been foolish in some games as to why he
doesn't stick to running the ball. You can say the head coach is showing
signs of mental fatigue in keeping this team afloat as well.
With a record of 5-7 heading into the final playoff push, great time to
throw shade: they have the same record as my Dallas Cowboys! Funny
how the team whose "playoff game" versus Dallas is the only highlight
to smile about. They're fighting for their season and the NFC West
division has tightened up like Christmas budgets. With remaining games
against Chicago, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Arizona
Cardinals. And what could be nail in the coffin at home versus Detroit
Lions, there's one last push with very little error.
San Francisco could possibly miss the playoffs and go into 2025 with a
lot of questions far as their salary cap. With six players making over $20
million dollars, plus the decision weighing to pay Purdy could hurt this
team further down the road. It's a business and players have a short
amount of window to cash in their prime years. With subpar success
comes great attention to details in securing your best players. Contract
negotiations are messy and take time to hash out the numbers. Paying
Purdy would clamp their ability to add pieces and breakthrough for that
coveted Super Bowl.
Knowing how John Lynch has handled contract talks with several key
players, Purdy's will be the toughest one. Yes, he's been fairly good with
healthy players around him. Below average without them and failing to
elevate his team above the waters. To pay him roughly $52-60 million
per season comes with a lot of "can he live up to the contract."
Franchise tag will be roughly $60 million for quarterbacks and it's one of
the strangest pros and cons any player could experience.
To avoid internal conflict and bad press, the Niners may get a deal done
early in the offseason. In the NFL, if you don't have a franchise
quarterback, there's none. A guy you've drafted and developed doesn't
walk out the door. Stats tell you what he's done; along with the eye test.
There's no sure thing far as finding your next quarterback in the draft.
That didn't fair too well in selecting Trey Lance in 2021 after moving up
to take the unpolished product from North Dakota State. It was a risk
and Purdy has been fairly decent since being the starter. San Francisco
knows what they have in Purdy, but this banged up roster has hit their
ceiling in seven seasons.
If they decide to move on from cornerstone players in Samuel, Kittle,
Warner to create what'll be a big gap talent wise, it starts and ends with
Purdy. McCaffery will make a stronger attempt to get healthy and return
next season. Its part of sports and comes with a price in achieving
greater success. San Francisco will have more than enough decisions
to make; even with a banged up roster. Time will tell and the writing is
on the wall for 2025.
Stai tuned.
