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The San Francisco 49ers are 5-0 after their big 32-29 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and many feel that right now, they’re the favorites to win this season’s Super Bowl championship.
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Their defense, something that was somewhat of a concern coming into this season, has been rock-solid, and quarterback Brock Purdy is playing as well as anyone right now. One has to wonder how much better the team can and will perform if and when it becomes healthier, given all of its key players who are out with injuries.
But the Niners don’t by any means have a complete roster. There are a couple of position groups they will want to upgrade by the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and general manager John Lynch said that if the team is playing well, he will not hesitate to be aggressive on the trade market.
Steve Young: It’s time to go all-in
Steve Young, the legendary quarterback who led San Francisco to its last Super Bowl championship during the 1994 season, said on Bay Area radio station KNBR that this is the year for the franchise to be relentless in acquiring that missing piece in order to win it all.
“I think that we’ve got to optimize … and make sure that we’re doing everything we can because 2026 — I don’t really want to think about 2027, 2028, 2029,” Young said. “I don’t want to think about what that looks like. I really think you can smell that 2026 can be that year, but let’s go all in.”
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What makes it even more important for the Niners to have this mindset is the fact that their core has plenty of mileage on it. Christian McCaffrey is 30 years of age, left tackle Trent Williams is 38, tight end George Kittle is 33 and wide receiver Mike Evans are 33. Even their defensive stars are creeping up there in age — middle linebacker Fred Warner will turn 30 next month, and defensive end Nick Bosa will turn 29 on Oct. 23.
The position group that is in the biggest need of improvement is the defensive line, and most specifically the defensive end or edge rusher position. Bosa is the team’s only truly proven pass rusher, and obtaining another one who is young enough would likely free up Bosa to pressure opposing quarterbacks more often.
The Niners’ “Quest for Six” has lasted for many years, and they have lost in their last three trips to the Super Bowl dating back to the 2012 season. If they find some improved luck on the injury front and make a prudent trade, this winter could be the one where the franchise finally brings the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area.
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More on the San Francisco 49ers
- Insider: Seahawks Admitted 49ers Are Best Team in NFL Before Sunday’s Game
- Colin Cowherd Explains Brock Purdy’s ‘Superpower’
- NFL Analyst Sees Long-Term Upside in 49ers Rookies Gracen Halton and Jaden Dugger
- Week 6 Drive Dominance Rankings: 49ers Back on Top
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This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 9:33 PM.