San Francisco 49ers: What is wrong with this team and how to fix it?
An 0-4 start, quarterback performance issues, inability to score on offense and many other questions and problems have San Francisco 49ers fans asking, “what is wrong with this team?”
A heartbreaking Week 4 overtime loss against the Arizona Cardinals have San Francisco 49ers fans preparing for the seemingly inevitable reality the team will most likely finish at the bottom of the division — and the NFL — for the fourth straight year.
This would put the 49ers in line for another top-10 or even top-five pick in the NFL Draft, another offseason of questions and another year of waiting for the glory of the five-time Super Bowl champions to return to the Bay Area.
As one looks at the 49ers season so far, it is pretty clear the problem (aside from Week 3 versus the Los Angeles Rams) is scoring points on a consistent basis. This can be directly attributed to the play of quarterback Brian Hoyer and his inability to lead this team on a consistent basis, in my opinion.
San Francisco 49ers
This is the No. 1 issue facing the 49ers at the moment.
While this season is seemingly already over, it is not too late for the 49ers to make some strides towards next season and the future of this organization. Starting with the quarterback situation.
C.J. Beathard needs to be the starting quarterback of this team. Either he is the future or he isn’t, and the 49ers need to decide this sooner than later in order to determine the long-term viability.
The next thing the 49ers need to look at is defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. I don’t believe Saleh is the right man for the job of coordinating this defense. His inexperience and inability to draw up consistent game plans, that put the 49ers in positions to win games, is hurting this team.
I would like to see Kyle Shanahan bring in an established, winning defensive coordinator that will energize the team for next season and get the most out of a defense that is, and should be, one of the best in the league.
Lastly, and most far fetched, I believe the grass at Levi’s Stadium is a detriment to this team. Turf is much more conducive to success, or at the very least, better grass.
Every game I have seen at Levi’s Stadium has shown that the grass is very poor. It gets torn up and leads to slipping, poor footing and missed tackles, catches and opportunities. I know that this is a little out there of an opinion, and I am not trying to imply that this would fix everything or anything.
It’s just my opinion on the grass at Levi’s Stadium. It doesn’t help.
So there you have it. The 49ers, in my opinion, are not far off from being a team that can compete in this league. Making a change at the most important position in sports (quarterback) would be a great step in the right direction. Beathard can provide that spark and, more importantly, give the team and brass a chance to evaluate the quarterback situation for the offseason to come.
This is the most important change that needs to be made.
Next: 49ers stock report after Week 4 loss to Cardinals
Please comment and tell me and Niner Nation what you think is wrong with this team!