gave San Francisco 49ers They were up 10 points early against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, but couldn’t get it going in the end.
Brooke PurdyPlaying in his first Super Bowl, the 49ers couldn’t score a touchdown on their overtime drive, as head coach Kyle Shanahan settled for a field goal before Patrick Mahomes gave the ball away for a touchdown.
That’s exactly what happened, as Mahomes drove down the field and found McCaul Hardman for a short touchdown pass to make it 25-22.
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts during the NFL Super Bowl LVIII football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The 49ers made it through their 2022 campaign, as they fell in the NFC Championship Game Philadelphia Eagles. However, the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994 fell short, and the offseason was filled with questions.
As general manager John Lynch and the rest of the front office seem to address him, this is where the 49ers can go from.
Purdy find good competition.
49ers admit to being unaware of overtime rules in Super Bowl LVIII: ‘It was a surprise’
Sam Darnold is one of 21 free agents the 49ers have acquired on the open market this offseason, leaving Purdy without a backup along with Brandon Allen on the list.
Purdy has proven to be the team’s franchise quarterback, with Shanahan and the rest of the offense relying on “Mr. Irrevelant” to lead them to victory. He’s had quite a couple of years in the NFL, and for what he’s worth, the 49ers can continue to bring in top talent elsewhere to surround him with the pieces necessary to dominate the league.
However, what the 49ers bring to the quarterback room should be more than just a typical backup quarterback. While the 49ers seem set on Purdy as their starter, making sure he has good competition in camp is a win-win, as a solid backup could pay dividends in a league that has seen many starters injured. lost to
Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and others are available to watch for the 49ers. That said, they could very well bring Darnold back next season after backing up Purdy all year.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young, #92, prepares for a play during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 12, 2023 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Re-sign Chase Young.
The 49ers showed their desire to go for him in the middle of the season when they traded with the Washington Commanders to land Chase Young.
They did so, though, knowing that Young’s rookie contract was set to expire at the end of the season. The Commanders received a third-round pick in exchange for Young, so it wasn’t a huge package that would have warranted a potential re-signing.
However, the 49ers must find a way to get under the cap (according to Over the Cap , they’re just over the $3.7 million cap) and bring Young back into the fold.
Part of the reason is Randy Gregory’s cap hit from the books comes in at $14 million. Secondly, he played very well.
Young had five sacks, six tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and 15 tackles in seven games, along with a sack in the Super Bowl. The 49ers must keep their firepower on the defensive line.
Super Bowl LVIII: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes delivers game-winning drive in overtime to beat 49ers
Invest in secondary.
If there was a flaw on this 49ers team during the season, it was the team’s secondary, and it’s pulling it.
As a team, the 49ers finished 14th in passing yards per game, still above average. However, compared to a top-three rush defense, San Francisco could invest in some secondary help, whether it be in free agency or 2024 NFL Draft.
Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward are both returning in 2024, as is safety Ji’Ayir Brown. Tashaun Gibson Sr. is a free agent, so perhaps drafting a safety could be the plan for the 49ers, who will go 31st and 63rd overall in the first two rounds.
Poca Naqua, #17 of the Los Angeles Rams, scores a touchdown against Charvarius Ward #7 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during a game at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Theron W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It’s worth nothing, though, as Talanoa Hufanga should be back at some point after suffering a torn ACL. He is the clear leader in defense and should be the man to step up in 2024.
Be aggressive with Dalton Reisner.
Another weakness was on the offensive line, particularly on the right side, as Colton McKeutz was a disappointment after the departure of Mike McGlinchey, and Jon Feliciano was headed to free agency.
To shore up that guard position, the 49ers should target Dalton Reisner in free agency. The second-round pick played well in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings after four years in Denver with the Broncos.
Brock Purdy, #13 of the San Francisco 49ers, throws the ball in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Jamie Square/Getty Images)
San Francisco could also look to Graham Glasgow, who played on the offensive line for the Detroit Lions this season.