Recent years have not been too kind to the San Francisco 49ers franchise since reaching the Super Bowl in 2012. The team has compiled a record of 33-47 since then and have not had a winning record since 2013. However, hanging proud outside Levi Stadium is a banner that says “Faithful Then, Faithful Now” and has images of Joe Montana, Roger Craig and the late Dwight Clark; along with Jimmy Garoppolo, Marquise Goodwin and Kyle Juszczyk. A clear message that the fans of the team are loyal no matter the outcome.

This is the second year for both General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan; and thus far the tandem has made strides for the organization. In October of 2017 the team may have found their franchise quarterback when they traded for Garoppolo, acquiring him from the New England Patriots. In just five games as a starter Garoppolo threw for 1,560 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions and went 5-0 in that stretch.

During the offseason, San Francisco became an attractive place to play for free agents. This offseason the 49ers welcomed in Richard Sherman, Jonathan Cooper, Mike Person, Alfred Morris and Jerick McKinnon in free agency. McKinnon came from Minnesota and was listed on top of their running back depth chart; however on Saturday, Sept. 1 McKinnon tore his ACL during practice and is out for the season, leaving Morris and Matt Breida as the team’s backfield.

With addition comes subtraction and the 49ers will be without Carlos Hyde, Leon Hall, Cornelius Carradine, Logan Paulsen and Dontae Johnson among others who have relocated to other teams.

The expectations for this team are increasing by the minute and will begin this season with a difficult road game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 9. The Vikings are considered to be a National Football Conference (NFC) juggernaut with high expectations of their own. This showdown can be seen on FOX with a kickoff time scheduled for 10 a.m.