Are 49ers true contenders in 2021 or just pretenders?

49ers often inconsistent offensive game plan needs to be addressed

It’s hard to imagine that anyone knows what to expect from the 49ers on offense. That can be a great recipe to keep other teams’ defensive units from being able to game plan. However, a constantly changing game plan can lead to inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball.

Through two games, the team has played two completely different games. Is it possible that with rookie quarterback Trey Lance added to the mix that the team has to shift from a clock-eating, throw-it-short offense to a high-octane, throw-it-deep offense and back to a clock-eating, throw-it-short offense?

One thing was certain, the offense was always going to rely on the running game to set the tone and pace of the game. But, with almost all of their running back depth lost to injuries, does Kyle Shanahan turn to the rookie QB to keep pace with Green Bay’s dangerous passing offense? If so, when things go poorly, does HC Kyle Shanahan turn back to the clock-eating offense?

This potential for constantly going back-and-forth will be interesting to see play out over the course of the season. This begs the question, are the 2021 SF 49ers true contenders, or are they, pretenders?

There are issues, to be certain, but all fixable. With the amount of talent on this team and the coaching staff assembled by Shanahan, there’s no reason to believe the 49ers can’t compete and contend for a Super Bowl in 2021.