History of the San Francisco 49ers
The Los Angeles Rams have the distinction of being the first NFL team to play in California. But the San Francisco 49ers actually predate them in the world of professional football by three weeks. The year was 1946, and the league was the All-American Football Conference, which only lasted four years. But produced both the 49ers and the Browns.
The Browns won the AAFC every year of its existence. They were an obvious fit for inclusion into the NFL when the AAFC folded after the 1949 season. But the 49ers were also very good, losing to the Browns in that final championship game. And with no other NFL team closer to Los Angeles than Chicago, San Francisco was a natural add.
The Browns were an instant success in the NFL, but life was much tougher for the 49ers. They had to play the Rams twice a year, and L.A. was one of the powers of the league. And the winning simply didn’t come. From 1950 through 1969 the 49ers played in just a single playoff game – a loss to the Lions.
49ers Successes and Championships
In 1970 and 1971 the 49ers played in the NFC Championship Game, but lost both games to the Cowboys. Which is why the next time they played for the NFC Championship, 1981, the result was so special. Not only did the 49ers finally get over on the Cowboys. A dynasty was born when Joe Montana hit Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone.
Four Super Bowl wins followed in the 1980s, and a fifth was won in the mid-1990s. And the Hall of Fame became filled with former 49ers.
Quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young are in Canton. Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, and Charles Haley are some of the best to ever play football. And of course it would not have been possible without the head coach. He turned the franchise around, Hall of Famer Bill Walsh.
NFL Big Changes from Last Season – San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were in the Super Bowl just three seasons ago, and last year they played in the NFC Championship Game and lost to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Rams by three points. And the quarterback who made both of those runs happen was Jimmy Garopplo, who is popular with the fans and his teammates.
But the change that has been coming since the 49ers traded up to select quarterback Trey Lance in the 2021 draft is now here. Jimmy G is no longer the starter in San Francisco, and the fate of the franchise is now in the hands of Lance.
When it comes to a transition to a new quarterback, this will be as soft as a landing spot as possible. This team likes to run, and head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the best ever at scheming new and interesting ways to run the football. That will take pressure off Lance, and allow him to do what he does best, which is also run the ball and be an improviser with the football in his hands.
Big Changes for the 49ers
The other big change this offseason is the newfound happiness of star Deebo Samuel. The do-everything wide receiver, who was also key in the 49ers run game, has a nice big contract extension, and the rumors of him leaving town are no longer relevant. Samuel will also make Lance’s life under center that much easier.
The 49ers didn’t have a first-round pick because of the Lance trade in 2021, so their first pick in the draft was second-round selection Drake Jackson, a pass rusher from USC. His production wasn’t high in college, but his speed and athleticism translate well to the next level.
The 49ers can never have too many running backs, so with their third-round pick they selected Tyrion Davis-Price from LSU.
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.