The 2024 NFL season was supposed to be the year the San Francisco 49ers made a vengeful return to the Superbowl, as redemption after falling just a bit short in 2023. With a stacked roster, a championship defense and one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, fans’ expectations were sky-high within the Niners’ community. But as the season unfolded, these big dreams were crushed by the weight of injuries, inconsistency and missed opportunities. What was once poised to be a redemption run to the Super Bowl turned into a season filled with frustration, heartbreak and uncertainty.
“This season was incredibly disappointing,” FHS sophomore and football player Keiran Jokela said. “These injuries were insane, and losing our main running back for most of the season really hurt us.”
Injuries became a constant occurrence throughout the 2024 season for the Niners, with the injury report growing longer after nearly every game. Key players went down with devastating injuries, further derailing the team’s hopes. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL, running back Christian McCaffrey was plagued by a knee-PCL injury (the strongest ligament in the knee) and quarterback Brock Purdy was sidelined with a right elbow contusion.
“McCaffrey’s injury was from over training in the off season and I really admire that he is so committed,” FHS social sciences teacher and most importantly, longtime Niners fan, Geoff Beckstrom said.
These injuries, among others, left the Niners shorthanded for much of the season, with several stars missing significant playing time, if not the entire year. The team’s ability to stay competitive was severely hampered as they struggled to fill the gaps left by their sidelined leaders.
“I believe coaching wasn’t an issue, but it was just an unfortunate turn of events,” Jokela said. “I don’t think this will be a long term problem due to the fact that their star players will be ready for the next season.”
In addition to the mounting injuries, the Niners’ divisional matchups were another source of frustration. The National Football Conference (NFC) proved to be especially challenging in 2024, as San Francisco dropped several key games against their rivals. Losses to teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams—both of whom were having competitive seasons—only added to the growing sense of uncertainty. These divisional defeats, which often carry extra weight in the race for playoff positioning, left the Niners with fewer opportunities to control their destiny in the NFC.
The Niners finalized their decision on firing defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen after this disappointing season. However, this is only the first step towards addressing the team’s struggles, particularly on defense, where they faced numerous miscommunications and were caught off guard by big plays. The expectation from fans now is that the Niners make necessary adjustments. This may include improvement through communication, creating a better offensive line and adjusting the ones who receive the ball after the opposing side kicks.
“I think [it]is going to be key for them [to see] if they can hold on to Greenlaw, because Warner and him together are like the heart of that defense and together when they play, they’re the best set of interior linebackers, and they really make everything else flow for them,” Beckstrom said. “I have a good feeling about next year’s team, and especially Purdy, I think that he’s going to be great.”
Despite this season’s crushing disappointment, there is still hope. The Niners have the talent, leadership and grit to bounce back. But as 2024 fades into the background, the lessons learned will shape how the 49ers approach next season and only time can tell if their redemption can truly turn into reality.
