The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2024 NFL season with high expectations, buoyed by a talented roster that featured a dynamic offense, a suffocating defense, and one of the best coaching staffs in the league. Many analysts predicted that the 49ers would be among the NFC’s elite teams, with a Super Bowl appearance potentially within reach. But despite flashes of brilliance, the 49ers’ season ended in disappointment, with the team missing the playoffs after a series of missed opportunities and late-season struggles.
While the official elimination came with the Washington Commanders’ upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the writing had been on the wall for weeks. How did a team with such a promising roster fail to live up to expectations? Let’s break down the key reasons behind the 49ers’ fall from playoff contention in 2024.
1. Injuries Derailing the Offensive Rhythm
Injuries have long been an issue for the 49ers, and 2024 was no different. While every team faces the challenge of keeping key players healthy, San Francisco’s injury woes seemed to come at the worst possible times. Star players like running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and even quarterback Brock Purdy all missed significant time throughout the season. These injuries prevented the 49ers from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm, forcing head coach Kyle Shanahan to constantly shuffle the lineup.
Christian McCaffrey, one of the most dynamic players in the league, was hampered by a series of lower-body injuries, which limited his ability to be the game-changing force he has been in the past. Though McCaffrey played through much of the season, his impact was inconsistent, and the 49ers’ running game suffered as a result. Samuel also dealt with injuries that kept him off the field during crucial stretches of the season, taking away a key weapon in the 49ers’ offense.
Quarterback Brock Purdy, who had shown promise in his rookie campaign, was the most affected by the injury bug. After taking over as the starting quarterback late in 2023, Purdy had a solid start to 2024. But he too missed time with a minor injury to his shoulder, and when he returned, he was not quite the same. While Purdy’s performance was not the sole reason for the 49ers’ struggles, the lack of continuity at the most important position on the field disrupted their ability to perform at a high level.
Despite the presence of talented backups like Sam Darnold, the absence of key players forced the 49ers to rely on players who were not yet fully integrated into Shanahan’s system. With so many changes, the offense lacked the cohesion needed to be consistently successful. The absence of McCaffrey and Samuel, combined with Purdy’s injury struggles, meant the 49ers’ offense often sputtered at the most inopportune times.
2. Inconsistent Quarterback Play
Brock Purdy’s sophomore season was a major focal point for the 49ers, who had hoped he would build on his impressive 2023 campaign. However, Purdy’s performance in 2024 was far from flawless. While he showed flashes of brilliance, there were critical moments when his play faltered, contributing to the team’s struggles.
Purdy’s decision-making and accuracy were noticeably inconsistent throughout the year. He often missed open throws, especially in high-pressure situations. His inability to consistently execute the offense led to stalled drives and missed opportunities in key games. While his offensive line and skill players deserve some of the blame for not performing up to expectations, Purdy’s inconsistency under center was a major factor.
Additionally, Purdy struggled when faced with heavy pressure from opposing defenses. The 49ers’ offensive line, while solid, was not immune to breakdowns, particularly when facing elite pass rushers. In several games, Purdy was unable to deliver in the clutch, and his struggles became evident when the 49ers were unable to hold onto leads or convert in critical third-down situations.
While Purdy’s play certainly wasn’t the sole reason for the 49ers’ elimination, his development as a starting quarterback was a critical element of the team’s success. Without consistent play at the quarterback position, San Francisco’s offensive attack was simply too erratic to be relied upon in big moments.
3. Defensive Slippage and Inability to Close Out Games
One of the hallmarks of the 49ers’ success in recent years has been their suffocating defense, which was supposed to be one of the league’s top units again in 2024. However, even the 49ers’ elite defense showed signs of vulnerability, especially when games were on the line.
For most of the season, the 49ers’ defense was excellent, with Nick Bosa leading the charge on the pass rush and Fred Warner anchoring the linebacker corps. However, in critical moments, the defense struggled to close out games. A defense that had once been dominant in the fourth quarter now seemed prone to giving up big plays in the final moments of close contests. There were missed tackles, blown coverages, and lapses in discipline that allowed opposing offenses to capitalize when it mattered most.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the 49ers’ defensive play was their inability to force turnovers in key moments. Turnovers, which had been a hallmark of the 49ers’ defense in previous years, became much harder to come by. This lack of takeaways put added pressure on the offense, as they were often unable to capitalize on favorable field positions or put the game away.
Additionally, the defense showed signs of fatigue, especially during long stretches in the second half of the season. Injuries to key defensive players, combined with a high number of snaps due to an inefficient offense, led to breakdowns in coverage and a failure to close out games.
4. Missed Opportunities and Lack of Discipline
The 49ers’ season was also plagued by a series of missed opportunities—whether it was failing to capitalize on key turnovers, missing short field goals, or losing close games against inferior opponents. Too many times, the 49ers found themselves in winnable games but were unable to finish strong.
In some of their biggest losses, the 49ers were simply outcoached or failed to execute at critical moments. In a game against the Seattle Seahawks, for example, San Francisco failed to convert in the red zone multiple times, leaving points on the board. In another game against the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers’ discipline was called into question as they were flagged for unnecessary penalties at inopportune times.
These failures, compounded by missed opportunities to build momentum, left the 49ers scrambling to stay relevant in the playoff race. As the season wore on, it became clear that they were not as sharp or focused as they needed to be.
5. Coaching and Strategy Concerns
While Kyle Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in football, some of his decisions during the 2024 season raised eyebrows. Shanahan’s aggressive playcalling style often left the 49ers in difficult situations, particularly when it came to late-game decisions. At times, his trust in his offense to execute in high-pressure moments did not pay off, especially when facing strong defenses or teams with elite pass rushes.
Additionally, the 49ers’ reliance on the passing game became more apparent as the season progressed. With injuries to McCaffrey and Samuel, Shanahan’s decision to lean heavily on Purdy’s arm instead of balancing the attack with a more run-heavy strategy may have been a misstep. The 49ers’ inability to adjust their game plan when needed left them vulnerable against teams that could exploit their weaknesses.
Conclusion
The 2024 season will go down as a missed opportunity for the San Francisco 49ers. Despite a roster that was built to contend, injuries, inconsistent play, defensive lapses, and missed opportunities led to their elimination from playoff contention. With a talented core in place, the 49ers have the pieces to be a force in the NFC for years to come, but they must address several key areas during the offseason, including the quarterback position, injury management, and finishing games more effectively.
While the disappointment of missing the playoffs will sting, the 49ers can take solace in the fact that their foundation remains strong. In the NFL, where roster turnover is constant, San Francisco has the talent to rebound in 2025 and make another run at a championship. However, they must learn from their mistakes and find ways to execute when it matters most. The 49ers’ window is still open, but only time will tell if they can seize it.
