Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers: 5 Worst Free-Agent Losses in Franchise History

By James LeBreton

Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former players Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, and Jerry Rice laugh on the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former players Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, and Jerry Rice laugh on the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Feb 2, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former quarterback Joe Montana speaks during the Microsoft future of football press conference at Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former quarterback Joe Montana speaks during the Microsoft future of football press conference at Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Joe Montana

Joe Montana is arguably the best quarterback to ever wear a 49ers uniform.

He’s the guy who found Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone to win the 1981 NFC Championship game. He’s also the guy who led the 49ers to four Super Bowl championships propelling them to their most prestigious title of “Team of the 80’s.”

Joe Cool was drafted by the 49ers in 1979 with pick number 82. From the moment he arrived he was the undeniable leader of the franchise.

He won four Super Bowl titles while taking MVP honors in three of them and holds a career QB rating of 123.1 in the big game. To say that he was cool under pressure would be an understatement. His 31 fourth quarter comebacks were proof enough that he had ice running threw his veins when his back was against the wall.

Unbeatable in the big game, everything Montana did was flawless. He was unfazed by all competition, and sometimes, he even appeared to be superhuman.

More from Niner Noise

After back-to-back Super Bowl wins, Montana and the 49ers were on their way to a record third straight victory. Unfortunately, midway through the NFC Championship Joe hit the ground hard, and he didn’t get up. Lawrence Taylor and fellow linebacker Leonard Marshall had delivered a season ending hit. Joe would miss significant time under center.

After missing the entire following season, Montana lost his starting job all together. He played one final game against the Detroit Lions, but he never regained his role of full-time starter. Instead, he packed his bags and left for Kansas City.

This was by far the biggest free-agent loss the 49er franchise has ever had. Not because they didn’t have another guy who could play quarterback, but because this truly marked the end of an era.

Amidst all their remarkable players, Joe Montana was the franchise. It’s mind-boggling to imagine how many more championships he may have won had he not gone down to injury.

Next: Top 30 San Francisco 49ers Players All-Time

For ten seasons, Montana made the 49ers a contending team. He provided a decade of dominance, and for that the 49er faithful will always be grateful.