The San Francisco 49ers were up 10 points early against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, but ultimately couldn't get the job done.
Brock Purdy, playing in his first Super Bowl, failed to score a touchdown in the 49ers' overtime as coach Kyle Shanahan settled for a field goal before Patrick Mahomes took the ball with a chance to win it. with a touchdown.
That's exactly what happened, as Mahomes drove down the field and found Mecole Hardman for a short touchdown pass to win, 25-22.
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Christian McCaffrey, number 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 went further than their 2022 campaign, as they fell in the NFC Championship Game to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994 did not come to fruition, leaving an offseason full of questions.
As General Manager John Lynch and the rest of the front office look to address them, here's where the 49ers could go from here.
Find good competition at Purdy
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Sam Darnold He is one of 21 free agents the 49ers have hit the open market this offseason, leaving Purdy without a backup with Brandon Allen also on that 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 has had quite a few years in the NFL and, at his price, the 49ers can continue to bring in top talent from elsewhere to surround him with the pieces necessary to continue dominating the league.
However, who the 49ers bring to the quarterback room should be a little more than the typical backup quarterback. While the 49ers seem set on having Purdy as their starter, making sure he has good competition in camp is a win-win, as a solid backup can also pay dividends in a league where many starters were lost to injury.
Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and others are available for the 49ers to watch. That being said, it's entirely possible they'll return to Darnold next season after backing up Purdy all year.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young, #92, lines up 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 really do it midseason when they reached a deal with the Washington Commanders to land Chase Young.
However, they did so knowing that Young's rookie contract would expire at the end of the season. The Commanders received a third-round compensatory pick in exchange for Young, so it wasn't a major package that warranted a likely re-sign.
However, the 49ers would have to find a way to get under the cap (they're a little over the cap at $3.7 million, according to Over The Cap) and bring Young back into the fold.
One reason is because Randy Gregory's cap hit came off the books at $14 million. The other is that he played very well.
Young had five sacks, six tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and 15 tackles in seven games, plus a sack in the Super Bowl. The 49ers should maintain their firepower on the defensive line.
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invest in secondary
If there was one flaw on this 49ers team during the season, it was the team's secondary, and that is stretching it.
As a team, the 49ers finished 14th in passing yards allowed per game, which is still above average. However, compared to a top-three run defense, San Francisco could invest in some secondary help, whether in free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward will return in 2024, as will safety Ji'Ayir Brown. Tashaun Gipson Sr. is a free agent, so perhaps drafting a safety could be the plan for the 49ers, who will pick 31st and 63rd overall in the first two rounds.
Puka Nacua, number 17 of the Los Angeles Rams, catches a touchdown against Charvarius Ward, number 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. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
However, Talanoa Hufanga is not worth returning at some point after suffering a torn ACL. He is a clear leader on defense and someone who should be in the mix in 2024.
Be aggressive with Dalton Risner
Another weakness was on the offensive line, specifically on the right side, as Colton McKivitz was a disappointment following the departure of Mike McGlinchey, and Jon Feliciano is headed to free agency.
To shore up that guard position, the 49ers should target Dalton Risner 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, number 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 Squire/Getty Images)
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San Francisco could also look at Graham Glasgow, who played on the Detroit Lions' solid offensive line this season.
