The Challenging Predicament Posed by the Enigmatic Rider
It's nearing that time of year again. Halloween is creeping up. Across the United States, buildings, residences, even whole neighborhoods are being transformed and embellished. Skeletons, frightening costumes, detached limbs, and blood are everywhere. It's chilling and unsettling, from New York to Los Angeles.
But no one dreads the San Francisco 49ers. Why should they? Despite their offensive strength being that of a grown vampire, their early performances were more akin to Rudolph, the little vampire. Their golden pants didn't sparkle, they seemed tarnished. Boring. Lacking excitement.
Three victories, three defeats. Yes, they have, or perhaps it should be said, despite this record, they are the leaders of the NFC West, these 49ers. But they are more than anything: a conundrum. One that, after 35.29% of their completed regular-season games, we still don't know if San Francisco is a genuine title contender this year. One that might even outdo the Kansas City Chiefs after two Super Bowl defeats - or one that might not even make it to the playoffs.
Wins against the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and most recently against the Seattle Seahawks - it's hard to imagine the Chiefs even trembling a little. But losses against their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Rams (24:27), and against the Arizona Cardinals (23:24). Coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized that it's about the details. And in that regard, the loss against Arizona was worse than the one against the Rams.
Leading comfortably, yet losing
In both games, San Francisco squandered clear leads. Against the Rams, they were up 21-7 with 19 minutes left, and against Arizona, they were up 23-10 at halftime. "We need to hold onto these leads and win these games," said Nick Bosa. The star defender spoke of a "rocky start," but also emphasized that they've been through some "difficult phases" and now they just need to "stick together."
Before the away game on Thursday in Seattle, it was already being discussed on the online portal "The Athletic" as a game that could save the season, given their 2-3 record. In the end, San Francisco won 36-24 - but the game was far less one-sided than the score suggests.
Once again, San Francisco led comfortably, 23-3 in the third quarter. Once again, it got tense towards the end. Seattle came within 24-29, before running back Isaac Guerendo ran the ball 76 yards to the Seahawks' end zone - and fullback Kyle Juszczyk sealed the deal with a touchdown.
It would be easy to blame the 49ers' injury list. Running back Christian McCaffrey, last year's "offensive player of the year," has been dealing with Achilles and calf issues since preseason and hasn't played a game yet. Key players like George Kittle and Deebo Samuel have also been out.
Injuries are indeed a part of American Football, like Touchdowns or Tackles. And Kansas City has some players unavailable due to injuries. However, Kansas City has won five games. According to "The Athletic," the 49ers' issue isn't a lack of talent, but rather a lack of "focus" and "spirit." Their defense struggles to contain the opposing run game effectively, and their top-ranked offense becomes less threatening as they approach the end zone.
What does this all mean for the rest of the season? The answer is as complex as determining how many days per year the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is completely covered by clouds. In 2020, the 49ers started with a 2-3 record and missed the playoffs with a 6-10 overall record. In 2021, they turned a 2-3 start in October into a 10-7 record by January and were eventually stopped by the eventual champion, the Los Angeles Rams, in the playoff semifinals (17-20).
"We need to write our own story this season, and it has nothing to do with previous years," emphasizes Shanahan. However, he and the other decision-makers are aware that they only have this season to become champions with this team. Because next summer, the roster will change - it must change. Because next summer, Brock Purdy will receive his big payday.
"The greatest find in sports"
The quarterback was signed in the 2022 draft as the 262nd and last player. But the "Mr. Irrelevant," as those players who are the last to find a team are called, has long become a kind of "Mr. Indispensable." The 24-year-old has proven that he is the answer to the long-standing question of who could be the next outstanding playmaker for the team.
Last season, he threw passes for a gain of 4,280 yards, setting a club record in San Francisco, where quarterback legends like Joe Montana and Steve Young have played. Purdy led the league in passer rating and yards per attempt, was selected for the Pro Bowl, and ranked fourth in the "most valuable player of the season" (MVP) ranking.
He significantly contributed to the 49ers reaching the Super Bowl, earning a base salary of $898,252. As he's in the third year of his four-year deal signed in 2022, worth a total of $3.7 million, he currently ranks 39th in the team's financial hierarchy with a seasonal salary of $1,004,252, according to ESPN.com. They even called him "the best value for money in sports." It's high time he received a substantial pay increase, some might argue.
The team has made it clear they want to retain Purdy and compensate him appropriately. As Jed York, the 49ers CEO, put it earlier this year, "The quarterback position is crucial - not just in American Football, but in all sports. These athletes deserve a hefty paycheck." Adding, "If a quarterback is among the highest-paid athletes in the league, then that's a 'good problem'."
However, to give Purdy a potential salary of up to $60 million per season, General Manager John Lynch will need to get inventive. The team already has six players with annual salaries in the millions, including Trent Williams ($21.8 million), Charvarius Ward ($18.4 million), Nick Bosa ($14.67 million), Fred Warner ($12.56 million), Deebo Samuel ($12.21 million), and George Kittle ($12.2 million).
The Ward contract ends this season, leading to difficult conversations, contract renegotiations, and tough personnel choices. Decisions need to be made about who to keep, who to let go, and where to cut corners without causing significant losses. Of course, if they manage to win the title, many of these decisions could be made simpler.
The San Francisco 49ers might struggle to contain their opponents' run games in crucial moments, but their offense, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, is highly regarded. Despite his modest salary, Purdy broke several club records last season and was even named "the best value for money in sports."
With the 49ers leadership acknowledging the importance of the quarterback position and the need to compensate them appropriately, General Manager John Lynch will have to be creative in contract negotiations. The future of Charvarius Ward, one of the team's highest-paid players, is up in the air as his contract ends this season, making tough decisions necessary regarding roster management and budget allocations.
