It’s no secret the NFC West is projected to be the NFL’s best division.
With the San Francisco 49ers facing uncertainty, some pundits think they will struggle to compete in the division.
According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, executives and other insiders across the NFL have told him the 49ers will not be able to match the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams.
“This version of the Kyle Shanahan San Francisco 49ers, the Nick Bosa, the George Kittle, … the Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers, a core that has come close to the mountaintop but not getting there,” La Canfora said. “It may be going downhill and may be going downhill rapidly.”
La Canfora said he was told the 49ers’ roster is littered with red flags and they will not be able to replicate the success they had last season, when they were a wild-card team after finishing 12-5 in the regular season.
San Francisco won its opening playoff game, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19, but reality came when the Niners lost 41-6 to the Seahawks in the divisional round.
Seattle eliminated the Rams in the NFC Championship and would end up winning the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots.
With a new season on the horizon, the last month has felt like a fever dream for the 49ers. The team has been dealing with a roster that is already fighting the injury bug and has been practicing some without Shanahan, who missed the start of training camp due to a car accident that was detailed in a bizarre timeline of events.
The 49ers are dealing with several injuries, including newly acquired wide receiver Mike Evans — who missed time last season with Tampa Bay. Kittle and Bosa are making their way back after sustaining major injuries last season.
The 49ers’ aging roster was questioned before training camp. The team recently brought back some familiar faces in Samuel and Dre Greenlaw — both of whom have dealt with injuries.
