49ers know Super Bowl contention isn’t what makes history

SANTA CLARA — The words “Super Bowl” haven’t been heard much through the first two days of media availability since the 49ers arrived at training camp.

Then again, it’s not necessary. Everyone knows what’s at stake in 2023, and in the eyes of the fanbase as well as most of the players, if the 49ers don’t win their sixth Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024, the season will go down as a colossal failure.

That may not be fair. It lacks perspective and common sense.

Then again, the 49ers last won the Super Bowl following the 1994 season, and tying the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers with their sixth ring would put the franchise back on top.

Whether it’s a ticking clock or a closing window, the 49ers know it’s time to strike with one of the NFL’s most loaded rosters and their best assemblage of talent since Steve Young threw six touchdown passes against the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 29, 1995 in Miami.

“I mean, every day we feel it,” general manager John Lynch said. “We’ve got a lot of belief in this team. That’s why you go get a Javon Hargrave and add him to the mix even though we’ve got a lot of highly compensated players because you’ve got belief in this group.”

Hargrave, a defensive tackle who signed a four-year, $84 million deal in free agency after helping the Philadelphia Eagles win the NFC Championship, was the sort of cherry-on-top signing that demonstrates how serious the 49ers are about winning it all and winning it now.

Everywhere you look there are Pro Bowlers and All-Pro caliber players — as well as some of the highest-paid players at their respective positions:

Left tackle Trent Williams. Running back Christian McCaffrey. Wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Tight end George Kittle. Linebacker Fred Warner. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead. Cornerback Charvarius Ward. Safety Talanoa Hufanga.

That doesn’t even include edge rusher Nick Bosa, who is soon expected to sign a contract that could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

Even with all that talent, the 49ers won’t get to Las Vegas on a transporter beam. There are four preseason games, an 18-week regular season and the playoffs to conquer. They have a second-year quarterback in Brock Purdy coming off an elbow surgery and there will be injuries. There always are.

So the focus is more on the process than the end game.

Armstead, entering his ninth season, said there are maybe six to eight teams a year with a legitimate shot at winning the title and that the 49ers are one of those.

“We have a great culture, great coaching,” Armstead said. “We have an opportunity, and that’s all you can ask for at the beginning of the season. We definitely have a team that’s capable of it. Now it’s on us to get to work and do everything we can to try and seize it.”

Coach Kyle Shanahan is entering his seventh season with the 49ers and is still only 43 years old. He’s regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the sport and he’s had his team either in the conference title game or the Super Bowl three times in the last four years.

Yet Shanahan has never done what his father Mike did twice with the Denver Broncos and has yet to join Bill Walsh and George Seifert among the 49ers’ title-winning coaches. Fair or not, Andy Reid had his share of detractors until he finally broke through with the Chiefs.

“We have a chance, and not everyone does,” Shanahan said. “Now what do we do with that? How hard do we work? How hard did these guys work when they were away, which allows us to get better this month?

“How good are we in Week 1 and how good are we in Week 17 and what do you do in those two or three playoff games? There’s a lot that goes into it. We like where we’re at right now, but now it’s time to start.”

Warner said he feels “hardened” by the last two title game losses but warned perceived roster strength won’t be enough get a third crack at the Super Bowl in three years.

“You don’t get to snap your fingers and go right back to that moment and back to square one,” Warner said. “You can’t look too far ahead. You’ve got to put the work in. You can’t just say, `OK, we’ve got this player, we’ve got that player.’

“Just having good players is not going to get you anywhere. You’ve got to make sure you’ve got a great team, not great individuals.”

McCaffrey said he’s elated to be on a “stacked” team although that in itself isn’t going to get the job done.

“There’s a lot that goes on before the first game starts,” McCaffrey said. “We know we have a lot of talent. We know what it takes to put it together, but putting it together is a long, tough process and you’ve got to go through some growing pains, some good days, some bad days. That’s what this time is for.”

Before the 49ers adjourned for 40 days prior to the start of training camp, Kittle and Warner took the opportunity to speak to potential roster newbies about what it will take to make the 53-man roster or practice squad.