Niners on Track for Worst Record in Franchise History

San Francisco's 2016 team can reach 1-15 with two more losses, a level of futility reached by only nine other teams

At 1-13, the 49ers are on track to finish with the worst record in franchise history. Losses against the Rams and Seahawks over the final two games will give San Francisco its first one-win season. Even the woeful 2004 team under Dennis Erickson that finished 2-14 will look like a shining light.

If the Niners do finish 1-15, how bleak is their future? How long does it take a franchise to rebound from such a dismal plight?

If recent history is any indication, the 49ers’ prognosis is uncertain. They could be down for a long while – or quickly rebound.

The last team to finish 1-15 was the then-St. Louis Rams in 2009. They haven’t had a winning season since. But the other two most-recent 1-15 cellar-dwellers produced quick turnarounds.

The Carolina Panthers were 1-15 in 2001 but were 7-9 in 2002 and an 11-5 playoff team in 2003. The 1-15 Dolphins of 2007 had a magical transformation in 2008, reaching the playoffs with an 11-5 mark.

It’s plausible (though not probable) that after this dreadful season, the 49ers have a complete turnover in front office and coaching staff and an infusion of talent from free agency and the draft that produces a pleasant surprise in 2017. Fans, certainly, want change. They are weary of CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke, and the first season of head coach Chip Kelly certainly has given them nothing to cheer. Plus, this team likely will have a new quarterback to build around in 2017, as the Colin Kaepernick era is presumed to be coming to an end.

In writing about the 49ers’ impending offseason recently, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee pointed out most NFL teams that have finished 1-15 – and nine have since the 16-game schedule was adopted in 1978 – have parted ways with their head coach. Only three head coaches have survived.

Yet, for many 49ers fans, Baalke and York are held to blame more than Kelly. In a poll by the Bay Area News Group in November, 48.6 percent of readers voted Baalke as the person most worthy of firing. Kelly was way behind, at just 2.9 percent. However, 46.6 percent voted that both should go.

This past weekend, too, 49ers owner John York told Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group that reports of Jed York’s possible banishment from football operations after this season are “completely, completely” false.

One thing is certain, though: the offseason – which begins on Monday, Jan. 2 – should bring with it a host of changes. We all just have to wait to find out who's going and who's staying.

Meanwhile, the 49ers will go for loss No. 14 Saturday in Los Angeles versus the Rams – the team San Francisco beat 28-0 in the season opener.

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