Forget the noise about Kyle Shanahan not running out of time personally, because the sand is absolutely dwindling for *this version* of the San Francisco 49ers. He’s been to the cusp of a Super Bowl win twice, but Sean McVay already has a ring, and now Shanahan has to win over the next four months, or his window in San Francisco could be shut so tight it may not be worth trying to re-open. Thursday night’s game against the Rams isn’t a must-win for either NFC West foe, but it’s massive for setting the tone.
Their “Hallmark” Offense Is Showing Its Age
Shanahan’s offense has always been his calling card, right? Well, in Year 10, that “hallmark” unit is looking seriously long in the tooth. Sure, they have a young quarterback, but a lot of the pieces around him are anything but. Trent Williams is almost 38 at a position that demands everything. Kyle Juszczyk is 35, Mike Evans is 33, and George Kittle is 32 and coming off another serious injury. Even Christian McCaffrey, at 30, is way older in running back years. And Ricky Pearsall? He’s been swallowed whole by the injury bug. The problem isn’t just that the 49ers are old, it’s that they are old in all the wrong places. That’s a recipe for disaster in this league.
Purdy’s Pressure Cooker and a Struggling Defense
While the offense gets creaky, the defense has totally whiffed on turning over its roster and raising the next generation of stars. It just hasn’t worked out. Last season’s draft class was off to a poor start, and guess what? That’s still the truth. Mykel Williams will miss at least the first four games on the PUP list, and there’s chatter that Alfred Collins, their best rookie from a year ago, is no longer even a scheme fit for Raheem Morris’ defense. Now, Brock Purdy helped a roster loaded with talent reach new heights, bringing more to the table than Jimmy Garoppolo ever did. But now that the 49ers are paying Purdy top dollar, can he elevate a *middling* roster the way he made a great one formidable? There are real questions about his game: Can he find a deep ball? Can he reduce turnovers under pressure? The whole state of the 49ers feels incredibly fragile. If the Rams handle business on Thursday night, they can keep Shanahan and the 49ers on their downward trajectory. What does that mean for the next four months? This team better pull off a surprise turnaround, or Shanahan’s runway in San Francisco is ending, period.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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