The San Francisco 49ers are about to start their 26th year of football in the 21st century. As the team rests during the summer months before training camp, it gives the fans a chance to reflect on the last quarter century of football.
Selection criteria for this team include time spent with the 49ers and accolades earned while in the Red and Gold, such as Pro Bowl nominations, All-Pro honors, and team success.
49ers' all-quarter century team
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### **Offense**
### QB: Brock Purdy (2022 - Present)
The former Mr. Irrelevant has become very relevant, as Brock Purdy's three years in the NFL have already placed him levels above most quarterbacks for the 49ers during this quarter century. His highest highs statistically pace other QBs like Colin Kaepernick and Jeff Garcia, and the team success with Purdy behind center only adds to this. Purdy is not the most talented QB the 49ers have had in the 21st century, but with a Pro Bowl nod and a [fourth-place finish in the 2023 MVP race](https://ninernoise.com/posts/brock-purdy-becomes-49ers-single-season-passing-leader-01hk0s9hcgqm), he is arguably the most successful already.
### RB: Frank Gore (2005-2014)
This is one of the easiest positions on the team to decide. Frank Gore spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career in San Francisco, racking up five Pro Bowl appearances and running his way to the top of the 49ers' all-time rushing leaderboard. Gore's consistency has often been used against him, along with a claim that he was never the best running back in any given year. But he produced at an elite level far longer than any other 49ers running back did this quarter century and made his way onto the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-2010s team.
### FB: Kyle Juszczyk (2018 - Present)
Kyle Juszczyk's tenure with the 49ers will likely be coming to a close within the next couple of years, but he has quietly put together perhaps one of the most prolific resumes by pure accolades. As one of the few fullbacks remaining in the NFL, Juszczyk has notched eight-straight Pro Bowl appearances along with a First-Team All-Pro nod. That easily catapults him onto the 49ers' all-quarter-century team.
### WRs: Terrell Owens (1996-2003) & Deebo Samuel (2019-2024)
Terrell Owens, or T.O., had already put together a thousand-yard season in the NFL before the turn of the millennium, as well as an all-time highlight with "The Catch 2." Yet, from 2000-2003, T.O. still put up over 5,000 yards, over 40 touchdowns, four straight Pro-Bowl appearances, three 1st-team All-Pro nods, and cemented himself as the second-greatest receiver, statistically, in 49ers history. No other receiver has matched that level.
Many other receivers have had great seasons for the 49ers, but the one who has been the most consistent, and has had the highest peak, is Deebo Samuel. Though he did not play as a conventional receiver for the 49ers at times, and his record-breaking 2021 season came on the backs of him being a "wide-back,", his performance then and throughout his 49ers tenure marks him as the second-best receiver for the 49ers at the quarter-century mark.
### TEs: George Kittle (2017 - Present) & Vernon Davis (2006-2015)
The third-leading receiver in 49ers history by yards is not a receiver at all. That honor belongs to George Kittle, who has spent the majority of his NFL career as one of the top two tight ends in the league. Kittle has six Pro Bowls, two First-Team All-Pro nods and a smorgasbord of yards and touchdowns on his resume. Yet, these do not even begin to describe how Kittle impacts the game with his exceptional blocking as well. He perfectly represents what the 49ers have become under Kyle Shanahan, and he is an easy inclusion on this quarter-century team.
San Francisco's tradition of elite tight ends extends past Kittle, to the point where Niner Noise had to include Vernon Davis as a "sub-package" player. After all, he has the seventh-most receiving yards in 49ers history, all compiled within the quarter century. Davis was an athletic freak at tight end who played for the 49ers in both their dark years and in their resurgence under Jim Harbaugh.
### LT: Joe Staley (2007-2019)
This position is more contentious than people may expect, with future Hall of Famer Trent Williams having put together a short but impressive tenure with the 49ers. However, Staley defines the 49ers' offensive line so far in the 21st century. Though he never got his full due compared to his peers, Staley was rock solid, with six Pro Bowl nominations and three selections as a Second-Team All-Pro. Staley may find himself in the Hall of Fame one day after spending his entire career with the 49ers.
### LG: Mike Iupati (2010-2014)
The 49ers' track record with offensive linemen this quarter century outside left tackle has not been ideal. But Mike Iupati, from his rookie year after being drafted by the 49ers, was solid, and at times, spectacular. He put together three Pro Bowl years and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2012. Niner Noise ranked him as the [ninth-best offensive lineman in 49ers history](https://ninernoise.com/2020/05/23/49ers-ranking-top-offensive-lineman-franchise-history/), and with no other 21st-century guards on the list, he easily lands on this team.
### C: Jeremy Newberry (1999-2005)
San Francisco's luck at the center position has not been much better, but at the start of the century, Jeremy Newberry held down the fort admirably. Starting in 2000, Newberry played center for the 49ers, racking up two Pro Bowl appearances before a knee injury ultimately ended his tenure in San Francisco.
### RG: Alex Boone (2010-2015)
The 49ers have not had any elite right guards in the last quarter century, but Alex Boone was the pinnacle of consistency for the six years he played in San Francisco. No other player has played the position as well or for as long as Boone, so he gets the nod here.
### RT: Anthony Davis (2010-2014, 2016)
In another world, Niner Noise could shift Trent Williams to right tackle and have two Hall of Fame bookends. But, for the sake of keeping positions intact, Anthony Davis earns a spot here. Just like Alex Boone, Davis was a reliable, but not spectacular right tackle. He is far better than the other options, so he lands on the all-quarter-century team.
### **Defense**
### EDGEs: Nick Bosa (2019 - Present) & Aldon Smith (2011-2014)
Nick Bosa is the most decorated and impactful defensive lineman the 49ers have had in the last quarter century. With a Defensive Player of the Year trophy, a Pro Bowl nod every year he has been healthy, an All-Pro selection and at least 9.0 sacks every year he's played more than two games, he easily takes the first bookend on the defensive line.
From there, things get far more complicated. Players like Ahmad Brooks had consistent production for the 49ers, and we could stretch the definition of an EDGE rusher to get a player like Justin Smith. But the most dominant pass rusher the 49ers have employed in the 21st century is not Bosa, but Aldon Smith. Though Smith only had two years unencumbered by injuries or legal issues, they were like no other. He recorded almost 20 sacks in his second NFL season and 14 during his rookie year. His level of complete dominance had him on a Hall of Fame path, but unfortunately, things never worked out for Smith. Luckily, he still ends up on this all-quarter-century team.
### DE: Justin Smith (2009-2014) & Bryant Young (1994-2007)
"The Cowboy," Justin Smith, was quietly the most productive defensive end the 49ers have had this quarter century. With five Pro Bowl nods and three selections to an All-Pro team, his sack numbers do not give justice to what a dominant force he was on the interior as he commanded space to allow the rest of the 49ers defensive line to perform.
From there, things become far more difficult. DeForest Bucker had only 4 seasons in a 49ers uniform, but he excelled every year. Arik Armstead also became a 49ers legend with his solid play, but despite both these players' performances, the second spot goes to Hall of Famer Bryant Young. Though Young's top performance came before the turn of the century, he still matched both Armstead and Buckner in terms of accolades while playing eight seasons for the 49ers.
### LBs: Patrick Willis (2007-2014), Fred Warner (2018-Present), & NaVorro Bowman (2010-2017)
The 49ers have enjoyed some of the highest-quality linebacker play in the NFL this quarter century, and it starts with Hall of Famer Patrick Willis. In his short NFL career, Willis laid claim to the title of best linebacker in the NFL, with a performance that, if he chose to continue playing, may have rocketed him up all-time lists for NFL linebackers. Alas, his choice to retire young leaves him only with eight Pro Bowls, five First-Team All-Pro nods, over 900 total tackles and a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio.
Somehow, the dropoff from Patrick Willis to Fred Warner is not that big. In his career thus far, Warner has comfortably carried the same title of best linebacker in the NFL, with four Pro Bowl appearances and several First-Team All-Pro selections to his name. He also has redefined linebacking in the modern NFL, with coverage abilities rivaling safeties and corners. Warner is well on his way to getting a gold jacket of his own.
To keep flexibility in defensive packages, NaVorro Bowman can also be included. He only had three Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro nods, but had he not gotten injured in 2013, he would have a gold jacket of his own. He represents one of the biggest what-ifs for the 49ers, but his career is still one most NFL players would dream of having.
### CBs: Charvarius Ward (2022-2024) & Richard Sherman (2018-2020)
The 49ers' secondary has been a mixed bag, and that sentiment even makes its way to this quarter-century team. Even the team's best cornerbacks did not have a long tenure in San Francisco, and the longest-tenured player never had a high level of success. Charvarius Ward lands in that first category as a bonafide No. 1 corner for the 49ers who only played three seasons. But his best season landed him a Pro Bowl nod and a Second-Team All-Pro selection. That, along with the quality of play he generally offered, is enough to put him on this team.
Beyond Ward, there are a host of options. Carlos Rogers had himself a similar tenure to Ward in the early 2010s. Tarrell Brown and Ahmad Plummer also put together several solid seasons, and Deommodore Lenoir would likely find himself on a future version of this list. But the final selection goes to Richard Sherman, a statement that would have seemed absurd in the early 2010s. Sherman had lost a step in San Francisco, yet his savvy play still garnered him accolades and helped set the tone for the 49ers' secondary under Kyle Shanahan.
### SAFs: Dashon Goldson (2007-2012), Talanoa Hufanga (2021-2024), & Jimmie Ward (2014-2022)
The 49ers' storied history at safety has not fully extended to the 21st century, but there are players here who still had an incredible impact. Dashon Goldson always played at the edge of recklessness with his bone-crushing hits, yet he put together the most productive and acclaimed tenure of the 49ers safeties. Over his six years, he collected two Pro Bowl nods and a First-Team All-Pro selection.
Talanoa Hufanga also earned several accolades over a much shorter timeframe, with his 2022 All-Pro season carrying much of his placement on this team.
Finally, as part of the sub-packages, Jimmie Ward makes the team. Since being drafted, Ward played outside corner, safety, and nickel corner, with the last two positions being where he truly shined. For nine years of quality play, Ward makes his way onto this quarter-century team.
### **Special Teams & Coaching**
### K: Robbie Gould (2017-2022)
The 49ers cycled through kickers in the 21st century, but Robbie Gould makes the cut on this list. He was a dependable kicker with 161 field goals made and he also had several big moments, such as icing the kick against the Green Bay Packers in 2021. Though Phil Dawson had exceptional moments as well, Gould's consistency and longevity earned him a spot.
### P: Andy Lee (2004-2014)
For 10 years, the 49ers had Andy Lee as their punter, and his performance cemented him as easily the greatest punter in franchise history. His net yards, yards per punt, and every other conceivable metric place him atop the leaderboards. This was an easy call.
### Returner: Ted Ginn Jr. (2010-2012)
Ted Ginn Jr. was only on the 49ers for three years, yet he leads the team all-time in punt return yards and scored two touchdowns. His being top-10 in kick return yards is also the icing on the cake. Ginn is, by far, the most prolific returner the 49ers have had so far in the 21st century.
### Coach: Kyle Shanahan
The 49ers have had three coaches of repute during the quarter century. Steve Mariucci led two winning seasons at the start of the century. Jim Harbaugh revived the 49ers from their worst seasons with an explosive four years filled with three NFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl loss. But the mantle has to go to Kyle Shanahan, who has brought the 49ers to four NFC Championships and twice to the brink of a Super Bowl win. Though the 49ers remain ringless so far in the 21st century, Shanahan has led the team to some of its highest heights, and that earns him the final spot on this team.
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