On-Air Now
On-Air Now
Listen Live from the Casino Matrix Studio

49ers hot takes and record predictions from KNBR hosts and co.

By

/


The 49ers’ season opener is nearly upon us. With that in mind, and with the questions over how the 49ers may handle their quarterback situation with a ready-to-win roster, we asked KNBR’s best and brightest minds for their hottest takes on the team’s season and what San Francisco’s final record will be.

Brian Murphy

Record prediction: 12-5

The 2021-2022 Niners? I’m high on them. I’d love to be a little deeper at receiver. I’d love to be a little deeper at cornerback, but it’s an imperfect world, kids. Kyle’s got his two quarterbacks. Nick Bosa stays healthy and standing up. Niners are gonna run the ball, schedule fairly favorable, last game of the year at the Rams could determine the West. 12-5 best case, 11-6 worst case. Either way, playoffs. See you in January, baby.

Paul McCaffrey

Record prediction: 12-5

Larry Krueger

Record prediction: 13-4

I’m usually too optimistic, and then the team overshoots what I predict. It happened with the 49ers two years ago and it’s happening with the Giants this year. I’m going to go for the 49ers this year, I’ll go 11-6.. I think that is very, very attainable. And then beyond that, with regard to some individuals, I want to say Brandon Aiyuk will have 1,200 yards receiving and two 49ers running backs will challenge for 1,000 yards. They won’t get it, but I’m gonna go north of 800 yards for both Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon.

Jake Hutchinson, 49ers beat writer, KNBR.com

Record prediction: 12-5

Jake Montero, managing editor, KNBR.com

Record prediction: 12-5

Hot take: Jimmy Garoppolo will not cede the starting QB job

When healthy, this roster is at least as good as the group that was a quarter away from hoisting the Lombardi in Miami two seasons ago. The weapons are legit, the first-team o-line is solid and, most importantly, the d-line should be able to get pressure consistently. Remember how that made the entire defense look last time around?

I also think we’ll see the best version of Jimmy Garoppolo; one that is more consistent than the 2019 version. Now, in his fourth-plus year with Shanahan, I expect he will be more polished, and possibly more focused with Trey Lance essentially eliminating any margin for error.

Therefore, I don’t think it’s unreasonable that Garoppolo remains the starting quarterback for the entire year. If Jimmy is simply able to execute Shanahan’s offense, it seems to me San Francisco will be one of the better teams in the league. Is Kyle Shanahan really going to change starting quarterbacks when the team is 6-2 just because Jimmy isn’t lighting the world on fire? Honestly, maybe he will, but I think the leash is going to be quite a bit longer than most assume, as long as the record is good. This will be especially true if the 49ers win their first two home games vs. the Packers and Seahawks.

If San Francisco sputters out of the gate, sure. Heck, the switch could be made quickly if they are anything less than 3-1 after the first four games. But I think even with an inconsistent Garoppolo they’ll be better than that, and I think Shanahan will stand pat until the team as a whole starts faltering.

Bonus hot take: An LA fan will run onto the field during the primetime Rams-49ers clash on Nov. 15 at Levi’s Stadium.

After security fails to apprehend the individual, Sourdough Sam will calmly walk onto the field, remove his hat, and throw it like a frisbee, knocking the fan unconscious from 25-yards out, a la Odd Job in the 1964 James Bond film “Goldfinger”. As the crowd erupts, Sourdough will run to midfield, put his hands on his knees, and violently whip his head around to the beat of “Bang Bang Niner Gang,” now blasting through the speakers.

Sam Hustis, lead video producer, meme lord, KNBR.com