Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 must-do tasks for the 2018 offseason

By Chandler Wright

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers finished 2017 on a five-game win streak. Here are five tasks they must complete to compete for a Lombardi Trophy in 2018.

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t get off to a great start in 2017, but the way they ended the season could be a big reason for optimism for 2018. Their momentum should get them off to a hot start.

“What momentum,” you ask?

It is unprecedented. The 49ers finished 6-10 after a five-game win streak to end the year. They were the first team in 49ers history to start 0-9, but the first team in NFL history to win more than three games after that poor a start.

The Niners doubled the next best win total.

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 leads a huddle with Joe Staley #74, Carlos Hyde #28, Elvis Dumervil #58, Aldrick Robinson #19 and Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 leads a huddle with Joe Staley #74, Carlos Hyde #28, Elvis Dumervil #58, Aldrick Robinson #19 and Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Because the Niners made a trade-deadline deal with the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, their fortunes have changed. The franchise has finally found the franchise quarterback it has desired since Steve Young retired in 2000.

Success was short-lived for Jeff Garcia. Alex Smith broke out in 2011 after a rough start to his career. Colin Kaepernick replaced Smith in 2012 after Smith sustained a concussion.  Consequently, Kaepernick eventually struggled and so did the 49ers. The Niners fired then-head coach Jim Harbaugh and had back-to-back losing seasons in 2015 and 2016.

Now, the team has true leadership. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are the right men for the job. Here are five must-do tasks for the combo if they wish to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2018.