Kawakami: What could hold 49ers together through 2025 reset? Trusting Shanahan and Purdy (paywall)
“So the 49ers aren’t really aiming for the Super Bowl this season. Even with all their remaining stars, that’s unrealistic. They might draft perfectly, pull out of a bunch of close finishes, and remain healthy enough to steal 10 or 11 wins. But they absolutely don’t match up with the Eagles, Lions, or Commanders right now. It’s just reality. And Shanahan, to his credit, doesn’t deal in unreality.
“I don’t think it’s about lowering expectations,” Shanahan said. “It’s kind of the position your team’s in.