The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their 2023 campaign with a return to The Bay, reflecting on their journey to Super Bowl LVIII. They dominated the NFC West, secured the top seed in the conference, and earned a coveted spot in the championship game. Individually, standout performances led to accolades: Christian McCaffrey’s stellar season earned him AP Offensive Player of the Year, while both McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy claimed FedEx awards. Their roster boasted seven All-Pro selections and nine Pro Bowl nods. Reflecting on the season’s end, the 49ers expressed pride in their achievements and gratitude for the support of their fans.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on what he will miss about the 2023 team:
“You always have to do it again, start it over, but I thought we had a really good team, I feel similar almost ever year. 2019 was a pretty special year, especially how we played throughout that whole year, and similar in the way that, I thought one of the hardest things after the game was just watching how everyone hurt for each other. Guys were hurting for me. I hurt for them. You see your families, you see how much they hurt for you, and I think that’s what was really special about this group. We had so many guys that were playing for stuff above themselves and not to mention how talented our guys were. That’s what I am going to miss the most about it. I think that’s what our guys enjoyed the most about this year.”
Purdy Aims for Redemption Post Super Bowl Loss:
“It’ll be satisfying to focus on refining my skills and having a full-fledged offseason.”
McCaffrey highlights the unique strengths of the 2023 squad in NFL terms:
“I appreciated the bond, how hard everyone works. I think this was a really special group in that sense and a lot of guys put a lot on the line and played with a lot of tough things going on. They did it with intensity, with urgency, and I’ll always appreciate that. If you know somebody’s got your back, and the guy next to you is fighting for and doing everything he can to play, you know what they are going through, what they’re battling through – you can always appreciate that.”
Nick Bosa on what he enjoyed the most about this team:
“Just being able to trust everybody because of how good everybody was and how special it was. Just the motivation that everyone else brings you every day. It’s a really long year, so having people that you love to work with is a key.”
Kyle Juszczyk Optimistic About Key Players Returning and the Outlook for Next Season:
“I always feel that way. We have such an incredible core that I think every year we can run it back. It’s the hardest thing, I spoke about it last year after the NFC Championship, you want to snap your fingers and be back in the NFC Championship. That’s what I want to do right now – I want to snap my fingers and be back in the Super Bowl but I know that’s not how it works. There is so much work that needs to be done in between that, and right now, my body, my mind is not ready to think about that. But, I also know that it will be ready.”
Ji’Ayir Brown on what stands out from his rookie season:
“It’s the relationships and getting to know my guys – in the DB room, linebackers, Tashaun Gipson Sr., Talanoa Hufanga, the D-line room, Randy Gregory, Javon Kinlaw, Dre Greenlaw, there are so many guys, my guys. The way we played and the kind of passion that we played with, to be around a group of guys like this, that was really special to me. That’s what I’ll miss the most.”
Leave a Reply