Who are these guys?
Are this year’s 49ers merely a mediocre team soon to fall out of the playoff hunt? Or are the 2023 49ers lurking somewhere beneath the surface, soon to break out?
This week’s questions reflect the baffling, disappointing nature of this year’s squad, which has now lost one game to each of its division rivals. Thanks for all the strong, thoughtful questions, which have been gently edited for clarity.
Are there any signs, subtle or otherwise, that the locker room isn’t listening as closely to the head coach? Asking because little things — Deebo Samuel taking a swipe at the long snapper; dumb pre-snap penalties; oddly listless performances — all point to less focus and preparedness than we’ve come to expect. – Barry S.
All of the leaders on the team – Trent Williams, George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk, etc. – are Kyle Shanahan devotees. Actually, that sentence might not be strong enough, so how about this: Those guys worship at the altar of Kyle.
Which is to say, it’s hard to believe he’s lost faith in the locker room.
The problems that you note – and I’ll add ‘lack of a killer instinct’ to that pile – might also be symptoms of fatigue, too. I wonder if this team, which drifted off at times last year and certainly wasn’t all that focused in the offseason, has been ground down and beaten up by all of its recent stretch of deep playoff runs.
Is the lack of creativity in the passing game a product of losing Bobby Slowik, Klint Kubiak, Mike McDaniel, etc? – Geoff K
No. The 49ers still have a Kubiak (Klay). And they even have a Slowik, (Steve, though he works in the scouting department.) I think the 49ers have struggled more with their passing game this season because of Brandon Aiyuk’s holdout and injury. And I think they struggled in particular on Sunday because both Kittle and Aiyuk were unavailable.
When do they press panic internally? Feels like with every loss it’s sort of “ho hum we will figure this out.” – Pete O.
I agree that they have been merely treading water all season. But they are only one game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. They obviously have to snap out of their slumber at some point, but the season isn’t lost.
Yet.
What do you think the Niners’ record needs to be in the last seven games to make it into the dance? – Nathan B.
5-2? One problem is that the Cardinals play only one team that currently has a winning record, the Minnesota Vikings.
Which players are surprising you this year – good or bad? Jauan Jennings is obviously having a breakout year, but are there others that caught your attention? – Lorena M.
Good: Sam Okuayinonu, Evan Anderson, the entire rookie class. My pie-in-the-sky comp for Okuayinonu is the Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Graham. Both are far shorter than the ideal defensive end, but they’re powerful, especially below the waist. What Okuayinonu lacks is experience. Imagine if he spent the offseason with the Bosa brothers, learning how to train at an elite level and getting all the tips the Bosa got from their esteemed position coach at Ohio State? It would benefit Nick Bosa, too – he could practically handcraft a worthy bookend.
Bad: Robert Beal Jr. I realize he’s playing a lot of special teams snaps and few defensive snaps, but that ratio suggests someone who has yet to take a leap defensively in practices. Despite all the injuries along the defensive line this year, Beal gets scant snaps per game and has no sacks, quarterback hits or tackles for loss through 10 games.
Leonard Floyd also was a surprise disappointment at the start of the season. His snap count was so modest. I wonder if, like Yetur Gross-Matos, the knee injury he suffered in the preseason was a factor. Floyd’s snap count has been rising in recent weeks, and it seems like he’s been more of a factor.
Is this really just “too many injuries to overcome” or is this the closing of a window? It’s both, isn’t it? It’s both – Kuya J.
The injuries definitely played a role Sunday. Why couldn’t the 49ers run to the outside like they normally do?
- Kittle was out with an injury
- Williams was playing with an injury
- Christian McCaffrey is rounding into form after an injury
- Kittle’s replacement, Eric Saubert, showed up sick on Sunday.
The 49ers’ window? I don’t know if it will ever be as wide open as it was in 2023 when McCaffrey was fully healthy and Aiyuk was fully motivated. But this year’s draft class is encouraging. Put it this way: I think the upcoming 49ers squads will be just as if not more talented than the teams that made the NFC Championship game in 2021 and 2022.
Why is the run game no longer working? – Kathy T
The 49ers currently rank seventh in average rushing yards per game. I think Sunday’s game was a bit of an anomaly (see above). The Green Bay Packers defense has been middle-of-the-road in run defense this year. They ought to be a good litmus test for McCaffrey and Co.
How far away is Dre Greenlaw from returning and can it be tomorrow? –Jeff D.
Greenlaw’s practice window should open next week. That window is three weeks long and General Manager John Lynch suggested recently that Greenlaw will require a nice chunk of that window. Translation: He might return to the playing field Dec. 8 against the Chicago Bears or Dec. 12 (Thursday) against the Los Angeles Rams or Dec. 22 at the Miami Dolphins. Every game from Dec. 8 onward is on grass.
Is there any difference in your enjoyment of your job based on team success? Is it more fun when they are good? Less fun? No difference? — Forge W.
I’ll answer it this way: My job is to get as many people as possible to read my stories. Is that easier when the 49ers are on a roll? During the season, yes. But in recent years, I haven’t gotten as many eyeballs in March (free agency) and April (the draft). If the 49ers keep their current trajectory and miss the playoffs, my numbers will be lower for December, January and February, but might increase for March, April and May.
Has there been any noticeable changes since the NFLPA notice regarding player interviews in the locker rooms? — Mike W.
In the 49ers locker room? None. Their union leaders reminded players that they can conduct interviews outside the locker room if they like, but to my knowledge no one has insisted on that. It’s been business as usual on the reporters’ end.
Do you still think Brock Purdy will get a $60 million-per-year contract? – JR W.
Yes. The market is the market.
Purdy’s shoulder injury doesn’t seem serious, but if he can’t go on Sunday, who do you think the Niners will turn to, Brandon Allen or the Passtronaut? – Dave B.
Allen has been the No. 2 all season.
Should the 49ers just tank? Maybe a 5-12 can get you a Travis Hunter or a Shadeur Sanders. lol I kid … maybe – Sundeep P.
Well, we know how picky the 49ers are about drafting offensive tackles. It might take a top 10 pick for them to land someone they like, say, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. #Tanks4Banks
Am I crazy for still thinking they’re the second-best team in the NFC (behind the Detroit Lions)? – Beau B.
That’s only the second craziest thing I’ve heard this week. The first was Shanahan saying San Francisco’s offense was better against the Seahawks on Sunday than it was in the first matchup in Seattle.
Actually, if you tweaked your sentence to “second-most talented team” in the NFC I might nod my head while gently pointing out that the Eagles, especially with Saquon Barkley, might be in contention, too.
And, yes, I think it’s oh-so-appropriate to end this mailbag with two questions, one about them finishing with five wins and another about them being among the NFC’s elite. That’s where we are at 5-5. Who the heck are these guys?
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
