49ers head into 2023 offseason in top 5 of NFL power rankings

The 49ers finished 2022 as a final-four team, so it shouldn’t be too much of a shocker that they’re in the top five of offseason NFL power rankings.

This won’t be too bold of a statement, but the San Francisco 49ers are a top-five team heading into the 2023 offseason.

Well, in all actuality, they’re a top-four team after being eliminated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game earlier this month.

Philly, of course, came up short in its bid to win a Super Bowl, falling in gut-wrenching fashion to the Kansas City Chiefs, who probably only modestly alleviated Niners fans’ pain after what happened to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad endured two weeks prior.

Alas, that’s all last season now.

Despite how San Francisco met its end, league analysts still view the team as a legitimate Super Bowl contender heading into 2023.

Not surprisingly, that bold statement about the 49ers being a top-five team will apply this early in the offseason, at least according to early NFL power rankings.

49ers kick off 2023 offseason at No. 4 in NFL power rankings from NFL.com

There are going to be a lot of developments for every team in the league between now and training camp later this summer, and the Niners aren’t alone when it comes to what’ll be a revamped roster in 2023.

And, just like the last offseason when speculation surrounded Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback situation is again in focus.

Only this time, Garoppolo will likely depart via free agency and leave either Trey Lance or Brock Purdy to seize the starting job, which is what NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus elected to highlight when he placed San Francisco at No. 4 in his offseason-opening NFL power rankings:

"Another offseason with intrigue at the quarterback position in San Francisco. Brock Purdy was a revelation during his scorching run to the NFC title game, but a serious elbow injury puts his summer availability in doubt. Purdy’s misfortune seems to have opened up a huge window of opportunity for Trey Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick currently in line to gobble up first-team reps throughout the offseason program. We could be headed toward a true training camp competition between the young passers after Jimmy Garoppolo finds a new home in free agency. Never a dull QB moment by the Bay."

All true statements. Nothing to argue with there.

As far as the top-10 teams in his NFL power rankings, perhaps the only sizable argument is to wonder if the 49ers should be above or below the three-spotted Cincinnati Bengals.

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Los Angeles Chargers
9. Detroit Lions
10. Minnesota Vikings

Cincy has its quarterback situation figured out with Joe Burrow, though. So, perhaps, that was the difference-maker.