Most players expect them to compete for their sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2023. But some executives and coaches around the league aren’t ruling out San Francisco taking a step back.
The athlete Key decision makers were recently surveyed About the NFL — including general managers, executives, head coaches and assistant coaches — about the upcoming season. Topics covered included naming the best player, the top three quarterbacks and the league’s best non-quarterback offensive player.
Eighteen decision-makers were asked to name three teams that would surprise people “in a bad way” next season. The 49ers tied for the most votes in that category (five) along with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers.
The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tied for second place with four votes each.
There was no reason given in the article as to why San Francisco received the most disappointing votes. The Bills’ struggles in the running game (aside from quarterback Josh Allen) were cited as a red flag, and the Dolphins also had “too much ego” coupled with a young coach in Mike McDaniel.
The high expectations for the 49ers probably don’t leave much room to surprise fans in a positive way. There’s also little-known quarterback Brock Purdy, who went 8-0 in the eight games he played over three quarters last year but could regress to average.
It’s also been a strange last month for the 49ers. They traded former quarterback of the future Trey Lance, and star edge rusher Nick Bosa’s contract could leak into the Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To be fair, 22 of the 32 teams received at least one vote in the same poll, further evidence of the league’s unique parity each season. But other consensus Super Bowl contenders, such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, did not receive a single vote in that category.
The good news for any of the 49ers faithful panicking right now? Top tier talent usually wins. And the 49ers have plenty of that.
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