Despite losing their first nine games to start the 2017 season, the San Francisco 49ers enter 2018 feeling positive about the end of last season, as well as their present and future.
Trading for Jimmy Garoppolo has completely changed a formerly dysfunctional franchise’s fortune and now the 49ers will look to compete for the division title once again this season. It all starts with Garoppolo, of course, as the rising star came in and lit the league alight, and should only improve after his first offseason with Kyle Shanahan.
However, GM John Lynch deserves a tremendous amount of credit for building up a culture from the ground, and Shanahan himself deserves credit for maximizing what was still a relatively talent-poor offense.