(I believe) the SF Standard's Tim Kawakami said at the conclusion of the 2025 season how the San Francisco 49ers were the third best team in the NFC West that year, but they also might've been the third best team in the entire NFL, too.
Indeed, the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks were viewed as the two top squads in the entire conference, and the playoff bout between those two rivals was effectively the "real" Super Bowl.
And the subsequent arms race in the NFC West has done nothing to shake that sentiment.
The Niners, meanwhile, appear to have proverbially flown under the radar in light of both L.A. and the Hawks' efforts to stockpile weaponry. Despite notable additions of its own, including adding defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans, San Francisco still isn't seen as in the same class as Los Angeles and Seattle.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk has no problem with that.
Kyle Juszczyk is perfectly OK with 49ers being overlooked
Speaking with NFL Media, the perennial Pro Bowler explained how the 49ers have had an excellent offseason—a good launch point a season removed from winning 12 regular-season games and a Wild Card bout on the road despite a serious rash of injuries.
"The fact that we won 13 games last season with all that we had to deal with, I think that’s easy to forget. And rightfully so," Juszczyk said. "The Seahawks won a Super Bowl, the Rams had a great season, they had some great additions in the offseason, so I can understand why that is the case. But I think we feel great about where we’re at. I love our squad. I think that we have only improved. Guys are getting healthy. We added Mike Evans and Osa [Odighizuwa] on defense, which I think both of those guys are going to make such an impact."
Indeed, it's easy to see how both the Rams and Seahawks may be under the microscope in 2026, particularly in light of how the two squads finished and the associated pressure of maintaining that level going forward.
If that means the Niners are overlooked, it might be a good thing, according to the fullback.
"I think we’re sitting in a good spot," Juszczyk added. "If people want to forget about us, that’s fantastic. That’s a good place to be sometimes.”
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