The 49ers’ recent Monday Night Football season openers ended in wins but ultimately resulted in disappointing seasons.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to kick off the 2024 NFL season against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. It’s an intriguing matchup given the 49ers’ strong odds and the Jets’ status as a competitive AFC team. Interestingly, there’s a lesser-known story circulating about Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers once hoping to join the 49ers but ultimately being passed over in the draft.
This game holds particular significance for the 49ers, as they’ve had mixed experiences in previous season openers on Monday nights. In 2015, under coach Jim Tomsula, and in 2016, under Chip Kelly, the 49ers secured wins in their respective season openers but ultimately struggled to maintain momentum throughout the season. Despite some promising aspects, such as the return of NaVorro Bowman and efforts by Colin Kaepernick to refine his quarterbacking skills, both seasons ended disappointingly, with the coaches being fired by the end of each year.
In 2015, the 49ers faced the Minnesota Vikings in a sloppy game that showcased the team’s struggles. Despite the victory, the season quickly unraveled, leading to a 5-11 record and Tomsula’s dismissal. The 2016 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams was marked by defensive improvement but lacked standout moments, except for a streaker’s interruption on the field, amusingly commented on by Kevin Harlan. Chip Kelly’s tenure ended similarly to Tomsula’s, with the team’s performance falling short of expectations and prompting changes in coaching staff.
Now, with Kyle Shanahan at the helm, the 49ers are hoping to break the pattern of disappointing starts and build a successful season from their Monday Night Football opener against the Jets.