Has there ever been an offseason quite like the one the San Francisco 49ers have just gone through?

I’ll touch on the big personnel moves shortly, but there has been so much change for the Niners in such a short period of time. It wasn’t long ago where they were one of the best teams in football. They competed in three straight NFC Championship games between 2011 and 2013, and they were often held up as the prototype for success in the NFL.

Things are different now. The 49ers are now thought to be one of the poorer teams in the NFC, and it’s all happened so, so fast.

2014 summary

Well, when you’ve been to three straight NFC title games, with one turning into a Super Bowl appearance, 8-8 the next year doesn’t really cut it, especially after being 7-4 after a Week 12 home win against the Washington Redskins.

Four straight defeats followed, including a loss in Oakland that pretty much ended playoff hopes. The did manage to win their final game, but that was against the Arizona Cardinals who played third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley, and he was just terrible.

I guess the major disappointment was the showing of Colin Kaepernick. He’d been touted as the NFL’s next big star, the modern day quarterback with a cannon arm and the ability to beat you with his legs. He regressed in 2014, and looked like he was trying to be more of a pocket passer. Screw that Colin, dance with who brung ya, be yourself. You’re really good at being Colin Kaepernick!

Personnel changes

Where do I start?!

Well, with the Head Coach I guess. Jim Harbaugh has departed for Michigan, and Jim Tomsula has replaced him. It’s rare an NFL coach leaves after such a period of success, but Harbaugh was always a unique individual.

Linebacker Patrick Willis, one of the best in the business, retires at the age of 30 after he decided his body, his feet in particular, had gone through enough punishment.

“Don’t worry though,” Niners fans said, “Losing Willis is a blow, but we’ve got Chris Borland, one of the most promising linebackers in the league.” Yeah, that didn’t go so well. Borland made the astonishing decision to give up a career that would make him millions and millions of dollars, and promptly retired after his rookie season, citing concerns about concussions and the effect it could have on him in later life.

Borland wasn’t the only youngster to hang up the cleats; offensive tackle Anthony Davis decided to take a break from football too after suffering from his own battles with concussion.

Defensive lineman Justin Smith decided enough was enough for him too, although this was less shocking as he had been in the league for 14 seasons.

They weren’t the only departures, though, far from it. Veteran running back Frank Gore, wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson, offensive lineman Mike Iupati and cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox all left in free agency.

Hell, they even traded away punter Andy Lee!

The incomings were significant too. Scat-back Reggie Bush was brought in, as were defensive lineman Darnell Dockett and wide receiver Torrey Smith. Added to that, they drafted another defensive lineman, Arik Armstead in the first round, plus they should get linebacker NaVorro Bowman back from injury after he missed the whole of last season.

I told you plenty had changed!

Team Strengths

If Bowman is healthy and is somewhere near his best, the 49ers defence has the potential to be very good. Aaron Lynch looks to be a very good player, while Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid and co make up a serviceable backfield.

Team Weaknesses

The passing game. As I mentioned earlier, Colin Kaepernick struggled last year, and he doesn’t have too many targets. Anquan Boldin can still play, but he’s 35-years-old now, so it wouldn’t be hugely surprising if he declined. Torrey Smith is very much a deep threat and has extra value as he often draws pass interference penalties, but I think he’s an inconsistent player.

Meanwhile tight end Vernon Davis is coming off a poor season too, in fact, he had less yardage last season than he’d ever had in a single season before.

Best Case

The defence plays well, running back Carlos Hyde is a stud and Colin Kaepernick’s play improves to the level it was a while back. They play in a tough division, but 10-6 isn’t out of the equation if everything clicks.

Worst Case

Jim Tomsula can’t ”coach ‘em up”, the 49ers feel the loss of all their major departures and Kaepernick has a poor year, in which case 5-11 isn’t out of the question, especially as they have to face the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals twice, but they also meet the NFC North teams, three of whom look set for good years.

Prediction

I’ve just taken a look through the 49ers schedule and I have them at 7-9. I lost a lot of faith in Kaepernick last year, and with so much change happening, I expect a mediocre ‘settling in’ year.