49ers are becoming the thirty-something Niners, adding to Super Bowl urgency
The 49ers are the NFL's oldest team on average after two midseason additions, and the large majority of their veterans have never won a Super Bowl: "It's a big driving factor."
The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2023 NFL season with one of the oldest rosters in the league. In midseason, the team made two trades that increased their average age further. General Manager John Lynch has been questioned for this strategy, leading fans to wonder if he and head coach Kyle Shanahan have a preference for older players.
However, Lynch maintains that it isn't a conscious decision. The 49ers currently have an average age of 28.0, with 18 players aged 30 or older. This high average age is historically rare for a team that has won a Super Bowl, with the last team to win while having an average age of 28 being the 2003 New England Patriots. Many 49ers players, including George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Fred Warner, have never experienced the glory of winning a Super Bowl.
This unique roster is filled with veteran players who have spent a decade in the NFL without ever winning a championship. The team's 7-1 record demonstrates their potential as a formidable NFC contender. The pressure is high, and the 49ers must decide whether their age is a motivating factor or a hindrance to their championship aspirations.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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