Coming into this past season, the 49ers had high hopes of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
San Francisco ended the previous campaign on a five-game winning streak, including victories over three postseason teams, after acquiring quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade with the New England Patriots.
Garoppolo, who had yet to lose an NFL game as a starter, was rewarded with a five-year, $137.5 million contract.
However, the 49ers’ playoff hopes were derailed early. Garoppolo suffered a season-ending left knee injury in a Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and the team went on to finish 4-12, tying them with the Raiders and New York Jets for the second-worst record in the NFL.