Why former NFL star Olsen believes the NFC still works through the 49ers originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 49ers have played in the NFC Championship Game in four of the last five seasons and NFL analyst Greg Olsen believes that trend will continue.
The NFL on FOX analyst shared his thoughts on the 49ers’ future while speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area last week during Tight End University, hosted by San Francisco star George Kittle and Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce.
“Until proven otherwise, you have to imagine the conference passes them by,” Olsen said. “Obviously, being in the Super Bowl six months ago, five months ago, you can argue that they’re going to continually improve by keeping a lot of those pieces together, especially the stars.”
O 49ers extended running back Christian McCaffrey earlier this offseason and previously signed wide receiver Deebo Samuel, left tackle Trent Williams and Kittle on long-term contracts because quarterback Brock Purdy remains on his rookie-friendly contract for another season. The player’s $1 million annual salary barely dents San Francisco’s salary cap.
“They have a rookie contract with Brock for at least another year, which is really helpful for all the other guys,” Olsen said. “So this lines up really well for them. We spent all this time talking about their offense and obviously there are some good players on defense that I think will be fine as well.”
The 49ers also signed linebacker Fred Warner and edge rusher Nick Bosa to extensions in recent years. The former tight end believes having a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball makes the 49ers the team to beat again in 2024.
“It’s as talented a roster as any in the NFL,” Olsen said. “They are paying their quarterback relatively nothing compared to the market and they have, without a doubt, the best coach and the best scheme. So they have all the boxes checked, and until someone proves otherwise, the NFC still looks like a San Francisco race.”
Olsen said the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles can challenge the 49ers, but both teams need to do a lot to knock the defending NFC champions off their perch. That will be difficult to do, especially in 2024 when much of San Francisco’s roster will remain the same.
