Across the NFL landscape, the whispers are getting louder: “The window has closed.”
From national broadcasters to podcast hosts and football influencers, many are ready to write off the San Francisco 49ers. But has the window truly slammed shut?
Yes, the San Francisco 49ers have suffered two painful Super Bowl losses to the same team—the Kansas City Chiefs—within the past five seasons. Yes, this offseason saw a wave of departures on both sides of the ball, resembling more of a fire sale than a strategic reshuffle. And yes, the team is coming off a disappointing 6–11 season—a performance that, by any grading scale, earns an “F.” Add to that Vegas giving the Niners less than a 5% chance to reach the Super Bowl, and it’s easy to understand why skepticism is rampant.
But that’s not the whole story. Not for a team whose fan base proudly calls itself “The Faithful.”
So, here’s the case—rooted in optimism, backed by facts—on why the 49ers are very much still contenders. As George Kittle recently told Rich Eisen, “Thing about windows is you can just throw a chair through and break it open.”
1. Super Bowl LX Is at Levi’s Stadium
There’s a different energy when your stadium is the site of the biggest game on the planet. With Super Bowl LX (60) set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in February 2026, every player and coach in that building knows exactly what’s at stake. Only two teams in NFL history have won a Super Bowl on their home field—the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2021 Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers could be the third.
2. Off-Field Stability
Unlike last season, there’s no major contract drama looming over the locker room. Veteran players did not take to social media and handled their negotiations quietly and professionally. The offseason wasn’t cluttered with headlines—it was focused.
3. No More QB Controversy
Brock Purdy is no longer a feel-good story. He’s the guy. The final pick in the 2022 draft (Mr. Irrelevant) has become San Francisco’s franchise quarterback, and the front office proved it by locking him into a massive extension reportedly worth $265 million. With that kind of commitment—and a new bride—he’s not splitting rent with roommates anymore.
4. Youth Movement Through the Draft
GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan had 11 draft picks in 2025. While some selections raised eyebrows, the influx of young talent brings a fresh spark to the roster. Most notably, the 49ers used their first pick on Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams, who’s expected to line up opposite Nick Bosa. The Niners know that to beat quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes, they need to dominate the trenches and inject youth into their veteran core.
5. The Return of Robert Saleh
In a surprising move, former Jets head coach Robert Saleh returns to Santa Clara to oversee the defense after a tough stint in New York—ending with a non-hug from Aaron Rodgers. Widely regarded as the best defensive coordinator the 49ers have had in recent memory, Saleh’s imprint is already visible: five of the team’s top draft picks were defensive players. That group includes first-round edge rusher Mykel Williams (Georgia), Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins, a plug-and-play lineman who adds depth and power to the interior, along with Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State), Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky), and CJ West (DT, Indiana).
The Uncertainties
Of course, there are still concerns—kicker Jake Moody being a major one. Drafted in the third round in 2023—a rare move for any NFL team—Moody finished last season 24-of-34 on field goals, missing 10 attempts. That’s a 70.6% success rate, well below expectations. While an ankle injury may have impacted his performance, the pressure will be on him early in 2025.
Special teams were beyond subpar, ranking 31st in the NFL. Following the disappointing season, the 49ers fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider and hired Brant Boyer as his replacement. Boyer, previously with the New York Jets, brings experience and led a unit that ranked 14th in special teams efficiency.
Then there’s the offensive line, which didn’t get the overhaul many fans were hoping for. We’ll be counting on our future Hall of Famer, Trent Williams, alongside Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, and Colton McKivitz. The left guard spot remains up for grabs. Spencer Burford, Ben Bartch, and Connor Colby—a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft—appear to be competing for the role. The team also added a few linemen on one-year deals to bolster depth.
The Bigger Picture
The 49ers haven’t lifted the Lombardi Trophy since the 1994 season. They’ve come painfully close—especially under Kyle Shanahan—and are overdue for a breakthrough. This year’s roster blends respected veterans like George Kittle, Trent Williams, Kyle Juszczyk, Christian McCaffrey, and Fred Warner with rising stars such as Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings. If the rookies can contribute—and if the old saying “If we stay healthy” holds true—there’s no reason this team can’t make a run.
Final Thought
The 49ers have often found themselves on the wrong end of fate.
There were costly questionable holding calls on Nick Bosa, brutal late-season travel, and some truly tough scheduling quirks. Playing against several teams coming off bye weeks or extended rest; facing fresher, better-prepared opponents. That’s rare—and that’s rough.
Then there were grueling road stretches. Being a West Coast team, the travel adds up fast. In 2023 alone, they played in Seattle on Thanksgiving, then in Philly the following week. After that? Seattle again, Arizona, Baltimore (on Christmas), —none of those were easy outs.
And don’t forget Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, where nearly everything went wrong:
- The UNLV practice field wasn’t NFL-ready. The 49ers refused to use it for days due to unsafe, slick conditions.
- They had to relocate walkthroughs indoors while the NFL scrambled to re-sod the field.
- Meanwhile, the Chiefs practiced in the Raiders’ state-of-the-art facility—complete with pristine turf and full amenities. It’s fair to say: the environment didn’t favor the 49ers once again.
All that being said… maybe—just maybe—the stars are aligning in 2025.
With Levi’s Stadium as the final destination and a determined, battle-tested roster ready to silence the doubters, the 49ers enter 2025 with what many consider one of the league’s more favorable schedules. They have a real chance to prove the window hasn’t closed at all—it’s just being cleaned for one more clear shot at glory.
They say the third time’s the charm. And for this Faithful, belief hasn’t wavered. Get your chair, we’re smashing windows!
Note: The views expressed are solely my own and do not represent any official affiliation. Factual data referenced is drawn from publicly available sources and current media coverage.
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