SANTA CLARA – Nick Bosa dismissed it as “an off year.” He could be right. The 49ers could revive in 2025 after relinquishing their NFC crown without much of a fight this past season.
It’s as if they charged this season on their corporate card, passing the bucking in a year that began with highly publicized contract squabbles. They underachieved, more than any team since the turn of the century.
They lacked joy, touchdowns, flair, healthy stars, takeaways, victories, catchphrases, and fourth-quarter clinchers.