The San Francisco 49ers hype for 2019 has been nothing like the hype of 2018. It’s a bit strange since the 49ers could have lived up to that hype had they not gotten snakebit with injuries before the season began. Regardless, it’s obvious maybe we got a biiiiiiit too much into the Kool-aid thanks to that strong 2017 season.

Chris Simms was one of those that was telling fans to settle down. In 2018, he told everyone to calm the hype and now he’s changed his stance on the 49ers. Now he thinks they are going to be relevant. On his latest Unbuttoned Podcast a fan wrote in and Simms gave his assessment:

“The big thing with Jimmy G, I don’t have any more questions besides, can he stay healthy? That’s really all there is to it. I think with, and again, I know I might be a little biased, but I do my best to try to take bias out of anything I do when it comes to football. Yes, Kyle Shanahan is my friend.I told everybody to pump the brakes on the 49ers last year before the season. This year, I’m saying don’t pump the brakes. I’m saying this is the year. I think the 49ers will be extremely relevant. I will be shocked. Defense made some strides last year, they got a good offensive line, they got some more receivers to help Jimmy Garoppolo in the draft. I just look at them and go, “Yeah, I think the 49ers are going to be in the playoff conversation.” I really think within that, if they are there, I think Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be in the top-10 in the NFL in quarterback rating and stats and all of that. I have that much faith in the Kyle Shanahan offense along with players around him to where I go, it just seems and looks right to me when I evaluate them.”

Perhaps Garoppolo learned a valuable lesson running and should know to step out of bounds. Then again, he got sent to injured reserve when in New England as well, so his durability will always be a concern.

That concern aside, as a football fan, I don’t see how the 49ers are in the conversation. If that roster was a possible contender in 2018 and it’s only gotten better for 2019, it’s odd everyone is quiet. The 49ers in 2018 stunk, but it was because half the team was on IR within four weeks.

Forget the analyses for a minute and just enjoy the fact people are talking about the 49ers. Life and football are always better when the 49ers are relevant.