The 49ers need some change heading into 2025, and the new year opens up a chance to implement some fresh resolutions.
Missing the postseason for the first time since 2020, the San Francisco 49ers should be glad to turn the calendar on what's been a forgettable and often painful 2024.
Whether because of injuries, contractual standoffs, blown fourth-quarter leads or a vast blanket of underachievement, head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad can at least look back and identify the problems dating back to the start of the league new year.
Speaking of new years, Jan. 1, 2025, gives the Niners a chance to proclaim some New Year's resolutions.
These three, in particular, aren't just specific to the 2024 season but could address and solve many issues San Francisco has been plagued with in recent years.
The only hope is for the 49ers to actually stick to these New Year's resolutions.
Resolution No. 1: 49ers won't use NFL Draft capital on specialists
In 2019, the Niners used a fourth-round NFL Draft pick on punter Mitch Wishnowsky. Doubling down in 2023, they grabbed kicker Jake Moody in Round 3.
It'd be one thing if a talent-laden San Francisco team used a seventh-round flier on a specialist. But, even then, so many of the league's punters and kickers are found in the ranks of free agency.
The needed resolution not to draft specialists anymore is highlighted by Wishnowsky spending extensive time on injured reserve this season, which has led to fill-in Pat O'Donnell performing more than adequately enough in his stead.
Likewise, Moody's own ankle injury and struggles have called into question the use of that lofty draft pick, particularly when his fill-ins were perfect in their field-goal tries amid his three-game absence.
Shanahan still seems to back Moody, although the 49ers would be wise to bring in some offseason competition for him.
It just shouldn't be via the draft. At all.
Resolution No. 2: 49ers will treat the 4th quarter like the 1st quarter
Shanahan has been historically bad in the fourth quarter of games when trailing, and 2024 didn't do him any favors.
Three blown fourth-quarter leads to NFC West rivals highlight a bigger issue, but there are more problems at hand.
Case in point, entering Week 17, the Niners scored an average of 5.1 points in the first quarter of games, which is good enough for 11th best. However, going over to the fourth quarter, San Francisco managed 5.5 points in the final frame of regulation, which sounds like an improvement but actually ranks 27th out of 32 teams at the point in a game when defenses are tired and the mean is 6.3 points.
Precisely why Shanahan's offense falls flat in the fourth quarter is part of a bigger discussion, but the point is simple: The 49ers are failing to put up points at the crucial conclusion point of games, and it cost them dearly in 2024.
Resolve to change that... somehow.
Resolution No. 3: 49ers must invest in the offensive line
Using gymspeak, which is so prevalent among New Year's resolutions, using the offseason to grab a flashy wide receiver, stud pass-rusher or a shutdown cornerback is the equivalent of working out chest, shoulder or arm muscles.
Grabbing offensive linemen is the equivalent of developing core strength or doing "leg day."
Yet the Niners have largely relied on patchwork O-lines in recent years, perhaps slightly addressed last offseason by drafting Dominick Puni in Round 3, and that was a good start.
More work needs to be done here, though. Left tackle Trent Williams, who saw his 2024 campaign come to a premature close because of ankle issues, is 36 years old and is closer to retirement than anything else. Left guard Aaron Banks (also on IR) is a pending free agent, while upgrades are needed over center Jake Brendel and right tackle Colton McKivitz.
Using high draft capital on linemen is neither flashy nor sexy, but it's smart.
Just like all those New Year's resolutions that highlight working out but focus on core and leg strength.