The San Francisco 49ers aren’t expected to achieve much during the 2015 NFL season, and legendary quarterback Steve Young recognizes the looming challenge for the team.
In a video posted by CSN Bay Area, Young shared his outlook on the team. Young said:
“From a longtime player and observer, it’s scary right now, and I’m sure internally inside the building it has to feel a little bit new. That doesn’t mean you can’t go create something new, but you have to go fight from the bottom of the hill again, that’s the hard part. So that’s the challenge in front of the 49ers.”
Young said quarterback Colin Kaepernick and linebacker NaVorro Bowman will “bear the brunt” of the lowered expectations, which isn’t an easy burden to carry.
The 49ers battled through one of the craziest roster turnovers in recent memory, losing key contributors Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Chris Borland and Anthony Davis to retirement. But it didn’t stop there.
Jim Harbaugh accepted the head-coaching gig at Michigan, Aldon Smith’s off-field troubles cost him a spot on the team and Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati left in free agency.
San Francisco opens the season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, and the first clash of the year should provide valuable insight into what level the 49ers might be capable of reaching in 2015. But if Young’s gut reaction proves true, it could be a long season in San Francisco.