The San Francisco 49ers have lost three games in a row, and are preparing to host the Chicago Bears on Sunday. A fourth-straight loss, especially if it's to the struggling Bears, will not only eliminate the 49ers from any small hope they have at the postseason, but the fanbase may start rioting in the streets of Santa Clara. And if the 49ers lose to the Bears, I'll be watching the skies above Levi's Stadium for airplanes carrying banners with angry messages about people being fired.
The Sunday night loss to the Buffalo Bills was difficult to watch, and I'm proud to say I watched until the final seconds ticked away. I'm sick like that. But despite the team's poor performance, they're still in the race for the NFC West, although their chances of winning the division are slim.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to hear from you and answer your questions. Thanks so much for the many great ones we received. Now let's jump in and see what's on your mind.
What changes, if any, happen this offseason? - Mr. T
If Mr. T is asking whether Kyle Shanahan and/or John Lynch will be fired after the season, I would say that's a big no. And I pity the fool who disagrees with me. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Shanahan and Lynch are likely safe. You don't fire a head coach or general manager only one year after a Super Bowl birth. What message would that send if they fired Jim Harbaugh after one 8-8 season, and then fired Shanahan after one down season that followed two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl? Would any good head coaching candidate want to go to a place that operates like that?
As far as changes that may happen, I think Special Teams Coordinator Brian Schneider will be fired shortly after the final game of the season. Nick Sorensen could be let go, as well. There will certainly be changes among the players, but I hate to make predictions about that. Some fans are calling for the 49ers to move on from Deebo Samuel. But if they move on from Samuel before June 1, his cap hit will be huge. If they wait until after June 1, the cap hit won't be as bad, but you will have missed your chance of getting a draft pick that can help in 2025. And it's not like Samuel has been that great this season. His best days could be behind him, which makes trading him even harder.
Some players they could move on from (if the cap hit doesn't hurt too much) are guys like Kyle Juszczyk and Javon Hargrave. But again, trying to predict what the 49ers will do is about as easy as getting the real Mr. T to put on a pink dress and sing the soundtrack from "Wicked."
Do you think there is something fundamentally wrong with the way this organization is run from top to bottom? I feel Jed is more concerned about winning with class than just winning. - Phil
I don't believe so. This time last year, the 49ers were rolling, and Brock Purdy was a favorite to win NFL MVP. Christian McCaffrey was on his way to winning Offensive Player of the Year, and the 49ers had the best offense in football to go along with a very good defense. Nothing was wrong with them then, and I don't think anything is fundamentally wrong with them now. They're beaten up and I truly believe the Super Bowl loss destroyed this season. They look exhausted and like they have no hope of winning.
Now, if they look like this next season, as well, I will change my tune. But for now, I'm going to say there is nothing wrong with the team, other than this isn't their year.
Will Shanahan's pride (assuming there is any left at this point) permit him to offer Wilks a job after the season? How about the unemployed Saleh? I understand that Sorensen is dealing with injuries just as the offense is (we're still top-10 in that regard, right?), but I just don't see any reason for optimism if he remains coordinator next season. If you think differently, can you explain? Is Sorensen demonstrating that he is worth the investment? - Tony M.
I think Sorensen is in over his head. Now, many fans said the same thing about Robert Saleh in 2017 and 2018, and about Steve Wilks last season. There's a good chance Sorensen won't make it to year two, but I doubt Shanahan will call Wilks. That would be a bad look.
He may reach out to Saleh, but I'm not sure the former New York Jets coach would return to Santa Clara, simply because he may want to escape Shanahan's shadow. We all know that Shanahan wanted Saleh's defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, to come lead the 49ers defense this season. The Jets declined and Shanahan chose Sorensen. Will Shanahan go after Ulbrich again?
This year has been a disaster. We still have a similar team to what we had last year with a SB appearance. Aside from injuries, what is the cause for this significant drop-off? And what will be done in the off-season to rejuvenate the team for another run while we still have a star-studded roster? - Tim P.
I'm not sure I agree that this is the same team as last year. The injuries alone have made this team look dramatically different. The offense is more similar to last year, but the defense is much different. In Buffalo, the 49ers defense had only three starters on the field who started in the Super Bowl (Fred Warner, Charvarius Ward, and Ji'Ayir Brown).
The dropoff is mainly due to injuries, but the Super Bowl hangover is part of it, too. And age could be a factor. This team isn't getting younger.
The best thing the 49ers can do this offseason is have a draft like they had this year. If they can hit on another class, that will go a long way in bringing in young, affordable talent.
Any reason why Kittle was only targeted twice during the whole game? Ya figure with the conditions, they'd make sure Brock's security blanket would be more involved. - Andy G.
That was surprising to me. I thought George Kittle would have a big game, but he stayed in to block way more than I would have hoped he would. After the game, Kittle seemed perplexed, as well. Regardless, they have to feed Kittle. Without McCaffrey, Kittle is Purdy's best weapon.
This year was full of distractions from the beginning. Holdouts, contracts, etc. We know they are going to pay Purdy. If I'm the Niners, beginning of the off-season when they are allowed to negotiate, I'm signing my guys right away. I'm squaring that all away and not dragging things out that can spill over into the season. Agree? - Tristan C.
Yes, I don't believe the strategy of waiting until training camp (or later) worked very well the last two years. That approach hurt Samuel in 2022, Nick Bosa in 2023, and Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk this year. The 49ers can't afford to do the same thing with Purdy. That would be a disaster.
Can we let the second and third teams play the season out so we get our starters healthy again? - Jack B.
It's possible that, once they're mathematically eliminated, they'll play younger players more, especially to rest those dealing with injuries. But players like Bosa, Williams, and Warner aren't going to sit out without a fight. Those guys want to be on the field if they're able. I would hate to be the one to force them to sit.
I honestly feel that the OL is one of the biggest problems and the reason we lost the big game last year. Thoughts? - Rebecca B.
You won't get any argument from me, Rebecca, I like what we've seen from Dominic Puni. Colton McKivitz has been better than he was last season. Williams is Williams, and the left guard position hasn't been too bad, whether it's been Aaron Banks, Spencer Burford, or Ben Bartch. But the biggest weakness on the team is right in the middle of the offensive line—center Jake Brendel. If they don't upgrade that position this offseason, I don't believe the offensive line will be any better next season.
We are not there yet but the off-season checklist should include youth and speed at linebacker and wide receiver. Major needs! Other needs: a new special teams coach and defensive coordinator. Still need an elite edge rusher. O-line should also be a priority, as well as a future tight end. Thoughts? - John P.
Wow, that's a long list. Now I'm even more depressed. Thanks, John P.
Would Shanahan consider getting an OC rather than having an Offensive Asst? Regardless of the weather and injuries, he continues to show his inability to adjust his offense and think he would've benefited from mixing in Mason and Gurrendo when CMC returned knowing he has a history of injuries. Now, he may be out for the season because Shanahan continues to overuse his starters rather than mixing with other players that are capable of contributing to the offense. - Pernell L.
I agree that Shanahan (and RB coach Bobby Turner) should have been using Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo more after McCaffrey returned. But no, I doubt Shanahan will be open to hiring an offensive coordinator. That may be a good idea, but he seems like too much of a control freak to do so.
How in the world were the Niners so unprepared for the snow/weather conditions? Does the responsibility fall on the coaches? The equipment manager? - Andy G.
The 49ers seemed unprepared in Buffalo. The head coach is the one on whom the responsibility ultimately lies. But when you lose by 25 points two games in a row, I think everyone shares the blame.
Is Brock Purdy worth a big contract? - Botanazz H.
That's the $60 million question.
Why are some people blaming Purdy? He's not had the O line at its best ... He's our Franchise QB! - Sy R.
It's been hard to judge Purdy this season. He's been without his top weapons, and his offensive line has struggled. And Shanahan hasn't been at his best this season either. Is the real Purdy the one we saw in 2022 and 2023, or is it the 2024 version? He has five games left this season to answer that question.
Individually or as a team, what should the 49ers request from Santa this holiday season? And will it be a short or long list? - Ed H.
When I was in the sixth grade, we had to draw names in our classroom and give a gift to the person whose name we drew. The kid that drew my name gave me a Play-Doh jar filled with dog poop. I'm not joking. He didn't even leave the Play-Doh in it. Just the dog poop. After a good laugh (mostly by him), he gave me my real gift, a Hot Wheels car.
The 49ers need to request renewed health, restored energy, and a better 2025 from Santa. But they need to brace for the Play-Doh jar of poop. After all, that's what they've given the fans this season.
Who is going to be gone before next season? Deebo traded? Juszczyk retired? Ward released? What is the biggest need in the draft? DT? Next Great LT? Where will Brock's deal come in? Top 5? Top 10? #1? - William S.
I mentioned this a little earlier in the mailbag. I believe Samuel will be with the 49ers in 2025. Juszczyk could be released or perhaps will retire. Ward is scheduled to be a free agent, and I believe the team will allow him to leave.
The biggest need in the 2025 draft? Defensive line (DT and edge), offensive line, and backup tight end are great places to start.
Purdy is likely going to be paid like a top-five QB. Should he get that much? I'm still not sure. I like him a lot, but I'm not sure if he can carry a team. And the 49ers may need that, especially if they break the bank to extend Purdy.
That's all we have for this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back next week with a brand new one. Will we be celebrating a win, or will we be lamenting a fourth-straight loss?