The San Francisco 49ers have experienced their fair share of ups and downs in recent years, but despite some notable missteps, the team finds themselves in an enviable position heading into the Super Bowl. While their decision to trade away three first-round picks for quarterback Trey Lance in 2021 backfired, the Niners have managed to overcome that setback through a combination of astute draft picks, trades for top talent, and a stroke of luck.
After the disappointing outcome with Lance, the 49ers struck gold in the following year's draft when they selected quarterback Brock Purdy with the last pick. Purdy, who took over as the starter due to injuries, had a remarkable season, leading the NFL in passer rating and yards per attempt. His performance earned him a spot as an MVP finalist, all while carrying a salary of just $870,000. This find has allowed San Francisco to allocate more resources to other positions on the field.
