49ers close out a season unlike any other with loss against the Seahawks
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead summarized the 49ers’ 2020 season, and their 2021 plans, after Sunday’s finale, a 26-23 loss to Seattle.
“It didn’t go the way we wanted it to go but it’s been a long, trying year. Seems like the longest year ever,” Armstead said.
“There’s some relief to get back next year to normalcy, getting fans back to the stadium and having normalcy back in our league and around the world, too. That would be good for society.”
The 49ers (6-10) weren’t good on a number of fronts in their NFC title defense, most notably in terms of health. In the first two games they lost George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Jimmy Garoppolo and Raheem Mostert.
By Sunday’s finale, the 49ers were missing half their would- be starters, most of whom watched together from a suite inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the 49ers relocated to the past month because of Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 regulations.
What everyone witnessed in Week 17 should have looked relatively familiar: the 49ers blew a fourthquarter lead, just as they did in their season opener against Arizona, and just as they more infamously did in last season’s Super Bowl.
The Seahawks (12- 4) entered Sunday already with their fifth NFC West title in 11 years under coach Pete Carroll, and they remained the upcoming playoffs’ No. 3 seed after finishing off the 49ers’ NFC reign.
“I’m very happy the season’s over,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Once we were eliminated from the playoffs, we were ready to move on a little bit and get on to next year.
“But we had to finish it. I was real proud of the guys today. They competed their ( butts) off in all aspects. ... I’m excited this year’s over. Now it’s time to figure out how to improve us.”
On that note, here are ways this finale influences their 2021 outlook, aside from securing the No. 12 overall draft slot:
1. INJURY TOLL >> More than 30 players weren’t available for the finale, including 17 on Injured Reserve, four on COVID-19 Reserve and the seven they inactivated pregame ( Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens).
The 49ers made 30 IR moves since camp, and used the COV ID - 19 reserve list 24 times.
“We’ve got a lot of good players but we’ve got to figure out how to handle the wear and tear of an entire season,” Shanahan added. 2. SALEH FAREWELL >> Shanahan confirmed that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is expected to interview Monday to become the Atlanta Falcons’ coach, the first of potentially many suitors. Fox Sports’ reported that Saleh, a Detroit-area native, also is among the Lions’ coaching candidates.
“I was very happy with what he did throughout the whole year,” Shanahan said. “I’ll be very surprised if we don’t lose him. I don’t know what’s wrong with people if they don’t hire him. He’s as good as you can get.
Even if Saleh leaves after four seasons at his post, Shanahan acknowledged that capable replacements could already be on staff or on the upcoming market, adding: “I know the Niners will be alright.”
Defender after defender endorsed Saleh on Sunday as they have all season, including linebacker Fred Warner after his first Pro Bowl- earning year: “He’s meant so much to me. From the moment I came out in the draft, the belief he had in me and continues to have in me. I can’t thank him enough. He’s an amazing coach.”
Saleh’s defense failed to protect Sunday’s 10-point fourth- quarter lead, as was the case in last season’s Super Bowl. But his unit was a shell of itself Sunday, making them ever vulnerable to Russell Wilson’s play-making ability.
3. QUARTERBACK QUESTION >> Garoppolo spent the final two months watching from afar because of season-long ankle woes, and now come months of watching to see if Shanahan lives up to last Monday’s vow that Garoppolo will be next year’s quarterback.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that “most league insiders” believe the 49ers will move on if “a better option” becomes available. Shanahan has never disputed that possibility, adding last Monday: “You look into every avenue and you see if there’s something out there that can get you a ton better.”
G ar op polo’ s ankle sprains kept him from finishing half of his six starts. Neither Nick Mulens (26) nor C. J. Beathard ( 11) excelled in his place, as was the case in 2018 after Garoppolo’s ACL tear.
4. FINAL AUDITIONS >> It may have been fitting to see Richard Sherman sitting in a suite with other injured stars, but his presence on the field since 2017 meant a lot to this defense. Supposing Sherman does not return, the 49ers’ younger cornerbacks used this season and especially the past few games to mostly improve their value for upcoming free agency.
Jason Verrett and Ahkello Witherspoon were enjoying a third straight game of dominance, up until Tyler Lockett slipped pa st Witherspoon and caught Seattle’s go- ahead touchdown with 2:20 remaining. Verrett’s durability was ultra-impressive this comeback season, and his feisty streak should be welcomed back.
Neither Sherman (calf) nor slot cornerback K’Waun Williams (shin) played in the finale, but they’ve proven themselves ahead of free agency.
Perhaps their top free agent is left tackle Trent Williams, who also sat out injured (elbow) but made his eight Pro Bowl upon arriving this year to replace Joe Staley.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s versatility and sack leader Kerry Hyder Jr’s hustle were steady to the end of their contract years, as was Bourne, the 49ers’ second- leading receiver (49 catches, 667 yards) who came through Sunday with third- and fourth- down conversions.
“They have the idea of getting the team back together,” Bourne said. “Whoever wants more money might mess things up but that’s definitely the plan, to get the same group and keep us together.
“I feel next year is going to be a great run so I definitely want to be part of it,” Bourne added. “… I know next year this team is going to go really far. I can see. It’s just too clear to see.”