A rough offseason has led many to believe that the San Francisco 49ers will finish last in the grueling NFC West.
Times have been hard on the 49ers. Following an 8-8 finish last year, the 49ers endured an offseason that involved wholesale coaching changes, notable free-agent departures and critical retirements.
All of this has created the speculation that San Francisco is little more than a last-place franchise amidst a rebuilding phase.
For example, Tim Weaver of Cover32.com believes that the 49ers are destined for the bottom of the division. He cites the tumultuous offseason, the lack of proven leadership and the nature of competition within the NFC West as some of the primary reasons why San Francisco will struggle.