Offseason Outlook: San Francisco 49ers Eyeing Success in 2024

The 2023 season has just ended, and on March 14, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. Touchdown Actu therefore takes this opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agents to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the San Francisco 49ers. You will find the files for each team on this page.

Like four years ago, the 49ers stumbled on the very last step. Once again, the Chiefs deprived San Francisco of the sixth ring behind which the franchise has been running for 30 years. After a playoff run in which Kyle Shanahan proved he could win a game by chasing the score, his team lost again when leading in a Super Bowl.

While this defeat might be hard to digest, there is no necessarily cause for concern. The San Francisco 49ers probably have the most complete roster in the league, with superstars on almost every line. Above all, Brock Purdy showed that he had the shoulders to take a team far. The title hunt continues in the Bay.

The captains

1. Brock Purdy (QB)
2. Fred Warner (LB)
3. Christian McCaffrey (RB)

San Francisco has been desperately looking for him for many years, and he has finally arrived. Yes, Brock Purdy is a franchise quarterback. The debates around his level will finally be able to stop, after an entire season in the starting position. Legitimate candidate for the title of MVP, Mr. Irrelevant confirmed the promises seen in 2022 with an XXL season. Constantly improving, Purdy showed qualities that even the most optimistic could not dare to imagine during his draft. Yes, with the 49ers, Brock Purdy is no longer a question. It’s a statement.

Obviously, a quarterback’s job is necessarily made easier by the cast around him. This does not only explain his level, but Purdy still has the closest Avengers around him, notably Christian McCaffrey. Freed from the physical problems that ruined his life at Carolina, the running back walked on every defense San Francisco encountered. With over 2,000 yards, the Offensive Player of the Year has been great in 2023 and should continue next season.

If the attack has very high level players, the defense is not left out. Full of talented players, it is masterfully managed by Fred Warner. Year after year, the linebacker continues to prove that he is the best player in the league at his position. True captain and perfect relay from defensive coordinator (whoever that is), Warner has progressed further in 2023. A tackling machine since his first steps in the NFL, he has become a real threat against the pass, with 11 passes defended and 4 interceptions. The heart of the defense.

The unwanted

– Arik Armstead (DT)

When you come out of a season as accomplished as the one the San Francisco 49ers have just experienced, it’s difficult to find negative points. The players who were the most disappointing are either at the end of their contract or still on their rookie contract. However, Arik Armstead’s salary may raise questions.

The use of the term junk, however, is misleading. Arik Armstead is a rock within the Californian organization. Oldest player on the squad, Arik Armstead is loved by all, teammates as well as staff members. However, it is still far too expensive for its contribution. In 2024, he will cost the 49ers a little more than $28 million.

However, his contract does not allow him to part ways, not before June 1st. Before then, a cut would only save the 49ers around $2 million. A trade also seems unlikely. There remains the magic of contract restructuring, which would suit both parties. On the one hand, Armstead would remain in his lifelong franchise, chasing a ring. On the other hand, the 49ers could keep a locker room leader while making room on the payroll.

The summer man

Brandon Aiyuk (Wide receiver)

Contract discussions surrounding Brandon Aiyuk will punctuate the Niners’ offseason. The receiver is nearing the end of his rookie contract, and he has proven in 2023 that he deserves a top-tier receiver salary. With 1342 yards and 7 touchdowns, Aiyuk established himself as Brock Purdy’s number 1 weapon in the aerial game, ahead of players like Deebo Samuel or George Kittle, in particular. His selection to the All-Pro second team supported this great season.

However, several problems arise, the first of which is financial. The 49ers have a very high payroll, obviously due to the abundance of talent within their squad. With nine players making more than $10 million per season, there isn’t much money left to extend expiring rookie contracts like Aiyuk’s. After his last two seasons, Brandon Aiyuk can expect a contract worth more than $20 million per season, which would put a blow to Californian finances. The upcoming increase in salary cap could, however, save the 49ers.

The second problem seems to be less important. Several people close to Aiyuk reportedly expressed the receiver’s frustration following his drop in production in the playoffs. Some even suggested that he wanted to leave, and that he would not play again in the Niners jersey. This situation is not new in the NFL, The 49ers experienced the same thing two years ago around Deebo Samuel’s contract. However, it is difficult to believe in these rumors. Aiyuk now plays in a team that is aiming for the title and that can offer him the salary he deserves. It’s unlikely that Brandon Aiyuk’s near future will play out anywhere other than San Francisco.

The main free agents

1. Chase Young (DE)
2. Jauan Jennings (WR)
3. Javon Kinlaw (DT)
4. Sam Darnold (QB)
5. Tashaun Gipson (S)

Les autres : Randy Gregory (DE), Sebastian Joseph-Day (DT), Oren Burks (LB), Clelin Ferrell (DE), Joe Feliciano (G), Kevin Givens (DT), Ray-Ray McCloud (WR), Logan Ryan (S), Charlie Woerner (TE)…

There are a lot of players at the end of their contracts this offseason with the San Francisco 49ers. But ultimately, a lot of complementary players. Some veteran soldiers could stay on minimum contracts in search of a title, like Tashaun Gipson, Oren Burks or Kevin Givens. Others, on the contrary, should probably test their worth.

Arriving with great fanfare mid-season from Washington, Chase Young didn’t impress in a Niners jersey. Endowed with exceptional physical and technical qualities, the number 2 of the 2020 draft has been criticized for his nonchalance and his lack of effort on several occasions. If his rating is still high in the NFL, he might be tempted to sign a short contract to prove himself and go for a bigger contract in 2025. In any case, this is the only apparent way that the 49ers can keep him.

Javon Kinlaw (finally) showed what he can do when he is on the field rather than in the infirmary. Is it too late? Not sure, because his lack of production during his first seasons will not allow him to sign a big contract and San Francisco could keep him at a lower cost.

Behind Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold was impeccable. Although he has seen little of the field, he remains a luxury replacement in the NFL. No team should make him a starter in 2024 and the 49ers will surely look to keep him.

Finally, Jauan Jennings is a restricted free agent. The 49ers will therefore be able to match any offer that is made to their receiver. It remains to be seen how much a team will be willing to offer to the man who splashed the Super Bowl with his talent.

The Top 5 needs

1. Offensive guard
2. Cornerback
3. Offensive tackle
4. Defensive line
5. Safety

If it lasted during the season, the relative weakness of the San Francisco 49ers offensive line was seen during Super Bowl LVII. Brock Purdy has been under constant pressure. It was particularly the right side of the line which showed signs of weakness. Promoted to the role following the departure of Mike McGlinchey, Colton McKivitz did not convince as a right tackle, and the 49ers would be inspired to provide him with at least some competition. Above all, the right guard position raises questions. Spencer Burford’s second season was catastrophic, and his replacement Jon Feliciano, although efficient, is not unanimous, especially after his tweets after the Super Bowl.

In defense, there is a free place. Charvarius Ward is untouchable, Deommodore Lenoir has progressed enormously and seems set to settle in as a nickelback, but San Francisco needs to find a second outside cornerback. The Ambry Thomas experiment did indeed not work, and Isaiah Oliver was cut. The 49ers must also look at the defensive line, less in sight in 2023, in particular by adding depth.

Overall, there are few flaws in this squad. But the little touches that 49ers leaders need to make could make all the difference.

Target

Stephon Gilmore (CB)

This could be the big move of the offseason. The question is and will remain financial, because apart from that, a Stephon Gilmore signing in San Francisco seems absolutely ideal for both parties.

For several seasons, Stephon Gilmore has become a player that could roughly be described as a “mercenary”. Changing teams every offseason, he continued to show great things on the field. Certainly, he is no longer the cornerback who won the title of defender of the year in 2019, but at 33 years old, Gilmore still has some good leftovers. After earning more than $100 million in his career, he could be tempted by the hunt for a second ring, after a title with the Patriots during the 2018 season.

With this signing, the 49ers could plug a gaping hole in their defense with an experienced player. The arrival of a player like Gilmore would be reminiscent of the surprise signing of Richard Sherman after his departure from Seattle, an experience which was conclusive both for the player and for the franchise. In short, there would be no losers in this matter.

New blood

Taliese Fuaga (OL, Oregon State)

For the first time since the selection of Trey Lance, the San Francisco 49ers will have a first round draft pick. He could invest it to best protect their quarterback. Whether at guard or tackle, the 49ers need reinforcement on the right side of their offensive line. For this reason, a selection by Taliese Fuaga would make perfect sense.

Capable of playing both positions, Fuaga remains primarily a tackle who would suit the 49ers system very well. Physically, he is more than ready to play in the NFL, especially in the running game. With significant land use in the Shanahan system, Fuaga could best demonstrate his physical qualities and his violent hands. While he still has some progress to make in the pro pass, he remains a completely competent blocker, and his lateral speed allows him to compensate for a certain over-aggressiveness and sometimes inconsistent footwork. Technical progress remains to be made, but if he watches Trent Williams, he will progress at great speed.

Other choices: JC Latham (OT), Quinyon Mitchell (CB), Chop Robinson (DE)…

2024-03-02 11:00:19
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