Photo: Stacy Revere
Jason and Mike react to the Rams taking down the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. While the 49ers technically aren't mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet, the guys see this game as the final nail in the coffin: this 49ers Super Bowl window is officially closed.
Jason Smith: "Tonight we watched the end of the 49ers [as we know them]. This version of the 49ers, who've overachieved with Brock Purdy at quarterback -- it's officially the end. The Niners came into this season giving guys all kinds of money just to bring them back this year or sign them long term. And what's happened? They're 6-8. They're done... You can't just bring this team back next year, because everybody's older and you've got a lot of money to figure out [because of the spending you did coming into this year]. When you have eight guys making $15 million this year, some of those star players are gonna have to be gone [next year]. And oh, by the way, you've gotta pay Brock Purdy! To do that, you'll have to shuttle off a lot of guys who've played this year. This is going to be a completely new 49ers team next year. Their window is now entirely shut."
Mike Harmon: "We've seen them get punched in the face after a prior Super Bowl loss and now here it is again. Yeah you can move money around [this offseason], but you've got some tough decisions to make. It's certainly gonna be a different look, but I think they'll have to go back to their original vision -- finding guys in the draft."