Here’s a look at the Super Bowl prospects of the San Francisco 49ers, who finished the season 2-14:
49ers Super Bowl barometer: Nowhere close
Assessing the foundation: Any foundation expert would take a close look at what's happening in San Francisco and see many cracks that need repairing. Since the ugly divorce with former coach Jim Harbaugh after the 2014 season, the 49ers have hired and fired Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly, becoming the first franchise to fire consecutive one-season coaches since they did it in the late 1970s. General manager Trent Baalke didn't lack for time to do his job but was unable to do it well enough to stick around, and he, too, was fired after a dreadful 2-14 season. Now 49ers CEO Jed York & Co. set about a true rebuild this offseason with a long and arduous search for a new coach and general manager. York emphasized the need to establish a "championship culture" to get the 49ers back to what they once were. A big part of that is finding a coach and general manager who are on the same page and working toward the same goal without casting blame when things go wrong or fighting for credit when things go right.
Judging the quarterback: Other than getting the coach and general manager situation straightened out, there's no bigger priority for the 49ers than finding a franchise quarterback. In reality, they need more than one addition to the position. As it stands, only Colin Kaepernick is under contract for next season among the four quarterbacks who were on the roster in 2016. But Kaepernick can opt out of the deal and is expected to do so before the start of free agency. Theoretically, Kaepernick could come back on a new, cheaper deal, but even if he does, it's unlikely he'd be viewed as anything more than a bridge to the team's next signal-caller. The 49ers do have the resources to make a run at just about any quarterback they want since they'll have upward of $80 million in cap space and the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. Of course, having money and a prime draft pick doesn't guarantee any quarterback will become the foundation the team needs.
Realistic ways the 49ers can improve their chances to contend for a Super Bowl:
1. Establish stability through patience. The big buzzword of this offseason has been culture, and though it might be overused, it's absolutely necessary for the 49ers to repair theirs. They're now on their fourth coach in as many seasons, and it seems they are just now in the process of beginning a rebuild. The whimsical hirings and firings of recent seasons can't continue if the 49ers are to get back on track. No matter how bad things might go in the near future, York must remain committed to his new coach and general manager, stay out of the fray and let them attempt to see their vision through.
2. Find a few key veterans. Chances are, the 49ers aren't going to make a run at the Super Bowl or even postseason over the next couple of years, but one of the keys to building the aforementioned culture is setting a standard of expectations. For a young roster without much experience, bringing in a couple of veterans from winning organizations to help players understand what is required would go a long way in helping the rebuilding process.
3. Invest heavily in the passing game. The need at quarterback is discussed above, and since it doesn't appear there's an obvious quarterback solution that's realistically attainable, the 49ers would be wise to not only invest in multiple possibilities, but to add the complementary pieces that can expedite development of those quarterbacks. That means finding multiple receivers, including a No. 1 option, perhaps another tight end, and finding a better backup option behind starting running back Carlos Hyde. It also means finding the right coaches to help it come together.