Fansided

5 reasons why the 49ers can win the Super Bowl

By Nicholas McGee

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 16: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins blocks against the Indianapolis Colts at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 16: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins blocks against the Indianapolis Colts at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Why the 49ers can win the Super Bowl: An improved offensive line

The 49ers said farewell to a franchise great this offseason as Joe Staley announced his retirement from the NFL owing to injury concerns.

A six-time Pro Bowler, three-time second-team All-Pro and a member of the All-Decade team for the 2010s, Staley has a decent case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

However, by immediately replacing him with Williams through a trade with the Washington Redskins on day three of this year’s draft, the Niners have upgraded at the left tackle spot.

There may be some concern over rust and durability with Williams having sat out last season but, when healthy he is arguably the premier left tackle in football.

Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is younger than Staley as he will turn 32 next month and has the benefit of the prior experience in Shanahan’s system.

The Niners’ offensive line should not miss a beat with Williams slotting in to fill the void left by Staley.

Right guard is the hole yet to be filled following the release of Mike Person, who struggled in the Super Bowl against Chris Jones. The versatile Dan Brunskill is the favorite for that job, though, and there was little in his limited time at that spot in 2019 that indicated he would not be able to match Person’s performance levels.

San Francisco should be better up front in 2020 and that is great news for the running game and for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.