Fresh from a Super Bowl defeat, the 49ers face several significant questions this offseason, here we look at the most pressing ones.
Instead of celebrating a Super Bowl triumph this week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch had to face the media after an incredible late collapse.
Following their 31-20 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, most of the questions have surrounded Shanahan’s decision-making and Jimmy Garoppolo’s presence as starting quarterback.
Shanahan, though, indicated he has no regrets over how he called the Super Bowl. He was also quick to reiterate his confidence in Garoppolo.
While the national debate around the Niners this offseason may circle around Garoppolo, internally it is these five questions that will frame their offseason.
What to do at wide receiver?
The midseason trade for Emmanuel Sanders gave the 49ers a legitimate No. 1 receiver. However, the former Denver Bronco is set to enter free agency and will surely have plenty of suitors.
San Francisco will have to weigh whether it can afford to make a push to re-sign Sanders, who turns 33 in March.
If the Niners decide they cannot, then they will have to consider how to replenish a receiving corps light on reliable options beyond Deebo Samuel.
While Kendrick Bourne has proven a trustworthy target on third down and in the red zone, Richie James has seen limited usage and Jalen Hurd’s rookie season was lost to injury.
Trent Taylor did not play a snap in 2019 and underwent several foot surgeries and Marquise Goodwin also saw his campaign curtailed by injury.
Without Sanders, there are a lot of questions at receiver and few answers after Samuel. If the Niners want Garoppolo to succeed as he did in 2020, they’ll have to find some solutions.