San Francisco 49ers

2016 Short-, Medium- and Long-Term Goals for the 49ers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers are a franchise going nowhere fast. But instead of merely complaining about what’s wrong, let’s look at some realistic goals the Niners can set now and down the road.

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York addresses the media in a press conference after naming Chip Kelly (not pictured) as the new head coach for the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This isn’t going to be your “San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke needs to be fired” or “CEO Jed York should go” article.

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It’s easy to point out what’s wrong, who deserves the most blame or how bad the Niners are in 2016. But complaining about it, without arguing for some sort of solution, isn’t adding anything to the discussion.

One might say, “Don’t tell me how to dig a hole unless you have a shovel in hand.”

So let’s start digging and try to set in place what this franchise so desperately needs — goals.

No, we’re not talking about the 49ers-raise-Super-Bowl-banners argument. Let’s stick with realistic ones right now.

And yes, we mean now.

In spite of a 1-5 start to the Niners 2016 campaign, there are goals San Francisco can set for itself immediately, over the rest of the year and even into subsequent years.

It’s the only way this franchise will turn around. So let’s break down each of these short-, medium- and long-term goals the 49ers should have moving forward.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Short-Term Goals

Enough of the “Fire Baalke” chants for a minute. He’s on the hot seat anyway.

What can head coach Chip Kelly do right now?

San Francisco is eerily paralleling the Jim Tomsula-led 49ers of a year ago. It’s scary. And if you don’t believe us, just look at SFGate’s Eric Branch’s pre-Week 6 breakdown of the two seasons.

So why continue the trend?

Play to Win

It sounds cliche, but it’s not. What this means is a toss-out of the whole “tank for a better draft pick” approach.

NFL drafts aren’t exactly like the NBA, or even NHL, and rarely are there bona fide superstars in the making at Nos. 1 or 2 overall. Instead, teams are left with more potential than actuality. If this wasn’t the case, the Ryan Leafs and JaMarcus Russells of the world wouldn’t exist.

Instead, the Niners should treat each contest as a must-win game. It will be oh-so important for the younger players on the roster, if they’re still here, to develop a pro-level winning mindset.

Besides, the 49ers are still likely to land a very high draft pick regardless.

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Aggressive Play-Calling

Remember when the Niners defense was swarming back in Week 1 during their lone win of the season over the Los Angeles Rams?

Instead of a reactionary defense, which is what we’ve seen in recent weeks, it’s time to get aggressive, load the box and forget about the risks associated with big plays. Yes, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil. This is on you.

And on offense? We saw some downfield targeting between quarterback Colin Kaepernick and wide receiver Torrey Smith in Week 6. At this point, there is zero room for conservative play-calling. It solves nothing.

Bench Underachieving Veterans Immediately

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks… benched. Left guard Zane Beadles… benched. Linebacker Michael Wilhoite… benched.

Get the idea?

None of these players are part of the team’s future. At least not on the positive side of things. Instead, Kelly should play younger players to see if they’d be worth using down the road. And it isn’t as if they’re new to a scheme or anything like that.

Or, for an even more drastic measure — and, possibly, an effective one — San Francisco can simply jettison a good chunk of its underachieving players for a mini midseason restocking.

Speaking of that…

49ers general manager Trent Baalke. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Medium-Term Goals

Even some of the best short-term goals won’t amount much to the 49ers suddenly turning their season around.

As KNBR 680’s Kevin Jones broke down, what we’re seeing now is likely the first step of a very long, painful rebuild.

But at least the Niners will check off some boxes along the way. And these medium-term goals will offer up even more answers, even if they’re not favorable.

Offload Players not Considered Long-Term Fixtures

KNBR’s Larry Krueger had an interesting approach to helping solve some of the Niners’ current depth woes. He proposed San Francisco jettison 10 players — including guys like wideouts Quinton Patton, Aaron Burbridge, Rod Streater and Keyshawn Martin — and grab some raw-but-promising receivers off other teams’ practice squads.

And if we’re buying Trent Baalke won’t be around in 2017, it’s still a win-win for the general manager. He could always point and say, “Hey, I found Player X off the scrap heap. Look at what he’s become since the Niners signed him.”

Baalke could use some resume polishing, and it isn’t as if San Francisco will be in salary cap hell anytime soon, so all the guaranteed money shouldn’t be too painful to absorb.

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Treat 2016 Merely as an Audition for 2017

Head coach Chip Kelly might already be doing this. At least with quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert.

Let’s face it, the 49ers are going to be bad this year. One would figure the head coach would like to know which guys are worth developing over the next few seasons.

In a way, this intermingles with the previous medium-term goal as well as the ones listed on the previous slide. If Player X isn’t a long-term part of the solution, he shouldn’t be playing. If he could be a part of the franchise moving forward, that player should go out and prove it.

And if he’s definitely secured a spot in the future, encourage the competition for depth and roster spots.

Yes, make the rest of the year look like a preseason session.

Embrace the Spoiler Role

The 49ers wrap up their 2016 season with three contests against the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks between Weeks 15 and 17, respectively. And all three of those opponents could be vying for a playoff berth.

So why not spoil some parties?

San Francisco isn’t going to the playoffs this year, in case you didn’t know. But the Niners can, at least, avoid being the pushover each of the listed teams will likely expect.

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell poses with the draft prospects in attendance before the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Long-Term Goals

OK, so the best long-term goal is to get Super Bowl No. 6. We all get it.

But that achievement seems about as far as simply returning to relevancy. Fortunately, the NFL is a league which embraces parity. And a team can go from a bottom-dwelling franchise to a playoff contender in a relatively short amount of time.

If things fall into place correctly.

Prioritize Team’s Biggest Offseason Needs in 2017 and Beyond

Whoever the Niners’ general manager is at the end of this season, be it Trent Baalke or someone else, the front office needs a rethink of the current roster and what the top priorities are needed.

Make player attributes fit into the team’s criteria and not the other way around. It’s a smart way to draft. And it’s a smart way to address free agency. It’s like saying, “We have this specific need here. Player X checks off all the boxes for that need. Let’s target him in this round or at this price.”

Yet it’s not just a one-year retooling. Use this same approach, fully recognizing this will probably be a multiyear fix.

Make Plans Transparent to the Fans

You know what would be nice? If the 49ers front office came out and detailed what their plans were.

Just imagine if someone from the organization said 2016 was going to be a year in which the team focused on the trenches and secondary, while 2017 was going to be about upgrading the linebackers and pass rush. 2018 would be to add skill players and shore up special teams.

Pick whatever method you like. It would be great to just have some understanding behind the method.

Case in point, the 49ers could simply look across the Bay to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors to see how this all works. And that franchise used to be a laughingstock not long ago.

Shoot for the Playoffs in 2018

Let’s cross 2016 off our postseason-hopes list. But if the 49ers improve to a six-, seven- or eight-win team next year, well that’s a nice little leap.

And if things go right, 2018 would mark a return to the playoffs for San Francisco. It would likely mean a run of three-straight top-15-or-better draft picks.