Well, the 2024 season is officially over for the San Francisco 49ers. The defending NFC champions failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
All but four members of head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad are done playing football until the 2025 regular season. Defensive lineman Nick Bosa, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner were all announced to play in the 2025 Pro Bowl.
Additionally, defensive end Leonard Floyd, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, quarterback Brock Purdy and left tackle Trent Williams were named alternates.
Not the season that fans in the Bay Area or across the NFL expected out of San Francisco, the 49ers had these gentleman to thank for keeping them in the running, among others. However, it will be these players to represent this team for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.
Let's take a look at what made them stand out.
1. Nick Bosa, DL
While any team that finishes their season with five straight losses, it's hard to find too many bright spots. However, one of the 49ers' defensive captains was golden for San Francisco in 2024.
Despite missing three games on the year because of injury, Bosa still racked up nine sacks on the year. He collected two in the Week 17 match up against the Detroit Lions which was a rematch of last season's NFC Championship game in the postseason.
In 14 games, Bosa collected 52 total tackles and had forced one fumble. He also recovered that same fumble, too.
During the first game against the Cardinals this year, Bosa snagged a pass from opposing quarterback Kyler Murray. His only reception on the year was ran back for a gain of 30 yards.
This is the first time in four seasons that Bosa did not log at least 10 sacks. That was also the last time the 49ers missed the playoffs.
2. Fred Warner, LB
The former third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft for San Francisco will join Bosa, tentatively. This is the third straight Pro Bowl for Warner and the fourth time overall.
The 28-year-old linebacker had twice as many interceptions as Bosa and four times as many forced fumbles. Warner finished the 2024 campaign with two picks including one for a 45-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots.
Warner did not record a sack since Week 2 but ended the season with 132 total tackles. He played in all 17 games for the Niners as well.
On the season, Warner recorded seven defended passes. He was a major reason why the 49ers were still in the playoff running going into November.
He now will play in the Pro Bowl alongside Bosa and two other 49ers, Juszczyk and Kittle, next month.
3. Kyle Juszczyk, FB
After playing for the Baltimore Ravens for four seasons, Juszczyk joined the 49ers in 2017. He has played in at least 16 games for San Francisco in six of the eight seasons with them.
Going scoreless in his first three seasons with the team, Juszczyk has scored five touchdowns in the past five seasons for San Francisco including one this year.
He only took five carries this season for 26 yards. Yet, his leadership and veteran experience in the locker room truly makes him a valued asset on the roster.
Juszczyk's single longest run this season, a 14-yard rush, was the longest of his career. His lone score was a big reason why San Francisco pulled off the Thursday night win on the road against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 this year.
This is Juszczyk's ninth straight Pro Bowl honor. He has been a selection every season since 2016.
4. George Kittle, TE
Now named to his sixth Pro Bowl, the 49ers tight end will join Bosa, Warner and Juszczyk.
Kittle finished the 2024 regular season with 76 receptions for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked in the Top 12 in terms of receptions and scores this year across the entire league.
The former Iowa Hawkeye was San Francisco's only pass catcher to accumulate more than 1,000 yards. This is the second year in a row Kittle has crossed the 1,000 receiving yards mark.
In fact, this is his second highest total in a season since joining the league in 2017. His career high in one year was 1,377 in the 2018 regular season.
Kittle led his team in receptions and touchdowns this year during one of the lower seasons for San Francisco. Yet, his production still gave him his fourth Pro Bowl selection in a row.
If San Francisco looks to rebound from a down 2024 season, these four Pro Bowlers could help in the 49ers' efforts to return to the postseason and potentially another Super Bowl.