Golden Nuggets: Happy New Years, Niners Nation!

49ers minutia minute: Tatum Bethune’s eventful day included key decision on final snap (paywall)
“Pleasants entered for an injured Williams after one snap, and the 49ers’ offense didn’t miss a beat. He might get the blame for the Bears’ lone sack, but that came on a deep rollout from Purdy on which pass rusher Austin Booker made a wide loop around Pleasants and eventually found Purdy on a slow-developing play. Per Pro Football Focus, that was one of only two quarterback pressures Pleasants allowed on 40 pass snaps.

McKivitz, meanwhile, drew Chicago’s best pass rusher, Montez Sweat, who entered the game with 9.5 sacks. Sweat finished the game with three quarterback pressures and a 46.4 PFF grade, his lowest of the season.“

49ers overreactions: Brock Purdy proved he is a top-five QB after win vs. Bears
“I can think of one defense that has been worse this season. It’s a defense that belongs to the team currently slotted at No. 2 in the NFC playoff picture. It’s a defense that gave up six touchdowns Sunday night and could not protect a three-point lead late in the fourth quarter.

While the 49ers’ defense was not good for the vast majority of their Week 17 game, they forced eight incomplete passes on the final drive and came up with the stop at the end of the game.

Before the 49ers’ defense held Chicago out of the end zone, the Bears’ defense was unable to do the same.

The Bears have surrendered an average of 24.8 points this season, while the 49ers rank 13th at 22.4 points allowed. The 49ers are 19th in yards allowed, while the Bears are 28th.

So, quite clearly, the 49ers do not have the worst defense in the NFL, and they do not even have the worst defense among teams at the top of the NFC.“

Kawakami: Kyle Shanahan is the most valuable coach of the year, and more bold thoughts (paywall)
“Perhaps one that has respected Crosby for years, has been searching for a pass-rushing 1B to Bosa, and has a bunch of extra 2026 money freed up by jettisoning Aiyuk?

If the 49ers are ready to spend more money than they did last offseason, adding Crosby — if the Raiders put him on the market — would make a ton of sense. But when I’ve checked with 49ers people lately, they’ve noted that they’ve won while getting younger and cheaper over the last year and they’d like to stay with that.

Also, 49ers management didn’t love the result when they went all-in and over budget a few years ago for Javon Hargrave, and there is definite reluctance to do something so similar now. 

The 49ers have some other big business to handle, too. Namely, there are potential adjustments due for both Trent Williams ($38.9 million cap hit next year) and Bosa ($42 million). 

But you never know. The 49ers picked up about $24 million in extra cash by separating from Aiyuk. And they did all that payroll clearing last March. 

If the 49ers fall short in the playoffs and feel like they’re a star pass rusher away, or they don’t think a good edge rusher will fall to their slot in the first round of the draft, or Crosby really wants to come to Santa Clara and it won’t cost multiple premium draft picks … let’s just keep on eye on the 49ers.“

49ers legend Frank Gore becomes finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame
“The NFL’s third all-time leading rusher was named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the league announced Tuesday.

Gore joins a group of first-ballot contenders headlined by quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald—both widely expected to secure gold jackets. The 50-person selection committee will vote on this year’s finalists next month, with results revealed February 5 at the NFL Honors ceremony ahead of Super Bowl LX.“

Week 17 Trench Grades: The Jake Brendel resurgence continues (paywall)
“Jordan Elliott, who is not my favorite player, continued to play well last week. Kalia Davis can only be played alongside Elliott, who’s been collapsing the pocket well with power, and holding up/playing more physically against the run. I’ve been impressed, and he is without question playing more consistent ball than Alfred Collins, who comes up with a couple major plays every week, but can go AWOL for long stretches.

CJ West needs to play more than Davis. And if West doesn’t play more than Davis, he needs to be used in a way that keeps him fresh to be used at the end of games. He’s a problem for interior linemen. The force we saw in the preseason at the point of attack is apparent. He’s creating trouble even against double teams, and while he can still be moved if attacked at his hip, his stalwart play is deserving of more and more reps.

The fact that Winters and Tatum Bethune called their own play on the final one, dropping into coverage, is bizarre. It was clearly the right choice, but to ignore Robert Saleh’s call when it mattered most is worrisome. Saleh’s looked without any answers the last two weeks. He doesn’t have the dudes, but this has been embarrassing. This would be the week to get it right. I’ve suggested a Brian Flores/Wink Martindale combination of pure chaos, throwing out Cover-0 blitzes combined with three-man rushes, peeling defensive linemen into coverage. Mess with Sam Darnold’s head. Go completely away from Cover-4. Do whatever you must to create turnovers, because if this offense gets more real possessions than Seattle, that probably wins the 49ers this game.“