No, this hasn’t been the San Francisco 49ers’ worst season ever. It might not even be their worst recent season.
The 2020 campaign, which effectively fell apart in Week 2 on a mushy, injury-inducing MetLife Stadium playing surface and which ended for good with the 49ers banished to Glendale, Ariz., due to COVID-19 rules, probably earns that title.
Still, any season that includes one receiver being shot in the chest, another hospitalized for pneumonia and the starting running back traveling to Germany to seek a remedy for a hard-to-shake Achilles injury stands out for awfulness. And it’s difficult to see much light amid all that darkness.
And yet if you squint your eyes and look really hard, you’ll find it’s there.
The following are stabs and educated guesses when it comes to the 49ers’ year-end team awards. The various honors are voted on by players and coaches as soon as the season ends, and because of that the results tend to get lost amid the jumble of other storylines from locker clean-out day and the head coach’s and general manager’s end-of-season news conference.
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We’ll report the actual winners when they are announced. Until then, here are some thoughts on who’s deserving …
Len Eshmont Award
It’s the team’s most prestigious award, one that dates to 1957. It’s named after an original 49er, Len Eshmont, and is essentially the team’s MVP award as voted on by the players.
George Kittle
There’s a pattern on the 49ers and the NFL in general: A player has the best season of his career during his contract year, scores a multiyear deal that makes him rich beyond his wildest dreams, then doesn’t come close to duplicating the effort. There are exceptions. Fred Warner is one. Kittle is another. He’s 33 yards from hitting 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season and has an 8 to 6 edge on receiver Jauan Jennings for the team lead in touchdowns. He, Warner and Nick Bosa also essentially serve as the team’s spokesmen. Kittle very well could win the next award — also an MVP award — on this list with someone else winning the Eshmont. Or maybe he wins both like Warner did in 2020.
Last year’s winner: Brock Purdy
Bill Walsh Award
This player represents Walsh’s “standard of excellence.” It’s a de facto second MVP award, though this one is voted on by the coaches.
Deommodore Lenoir
He’s already been awarded for his strong 2024 season via a five-year, $92 million contract. Opposing quarterbacks have a lowly 70.6 passer rating when targeting him, he has yet to allow a touchdown catch in 2024 and he’ll likely end up second to Warner in total tackles. (As it stands, De’Vondre Campbell Sr. has three more than Lenoir and it’s very hard to see Campbell adding to his total.) What further sets Lenoir apart is that he plays two positions, outside and nickel cornerback, a challenge both coaches and teammates surely appreciate.
Last year’s winner: Christian McCaffrey
Deommodore Lenoir’s standout season has already rewarded him with a contract extension. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
Ed Block Courage Award
This goes to the player who exemplifies sportsmanship and courage. It often goes to someone who’s battled back from a major injury or other setback.
Ricky Pearsall
That this team is teeming with candidates underscores its black-luck season. The award could go to Charvarius Ward or Trent Williams, both of whom dealt with devastating personal matters, or to Dre Greenlaw, who came back from February’s Achilles rupture. Warner, meanwhile, has played — and performed well — despite a broken bone in his ankle. Then there’s Pearsall, who was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery nine days before the 49ers kicked off the regular season, was released from the hospital the next day and has appeared in nine games.
Last year’s winner: Javon Kinlaw
Matt Hazeltine Iron Man Award
This one goes to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player. The award is named after Matt Hazeltine, who played more seasons at linebacker than any other 49er and who died in 1987 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Leonard Floyd
It looked as if Floyd’s season might not start at all after his knee was pinned awkwardly during the 49ers’ preseason finale in Las Vegas. He limped off the field that afternoon, but he started the regular-season opener and every game since. That’s vintage Floyd. He’s appeared in every game possible for the last six seasons and is one of six 49ers who have started every game. (Jake Brendel, Maliek Collins, Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni and Warner are the others). Warner is another strong candidate for this honor given the way he’s grinded through the ankle injury he suffered in Week 4.
Last year’s winner: Fred Warner
Bobb McKittrick Award
Named after the 49ers’ longtime offensive line coach, this honor goes to the offensive lineman who best represents courage, intensity and sacrifice.
Dominick Puni
This award has never gone to a rookie since it was established in 1981. Puni, however, deserves consideration. He’s not only been one of the 49ers’ most consistent linemen, he’s been among the top interior linemen in the league. His 83.3 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fourth among guards who have started more than five games this season. That Puni has started all 15 games so far — for a team that’s usually reluctant to start rookies — speaks to his maturity.
Last year’s winner: Colton McKivitz
Thomas Herrion Memorial Award
This goes to the rookie who’s best taken advantage of his NFL opportunity. It’s named after Herrion, an undrafted rookie who died following a preseason game in Denver in 2005.
Malik Mustapha
In a season in which six different rookies have started at least one game for the 49ers, there are plenty of candidates for this award. Puni would be a great choice if he doesn’t win the McKittrick Award (or maybe even he does). Another good one is defensive tackle Evan Anderson, who truly captures the spirit of the award in that, like Herrion, he entered the league as an undrafted rookie. Mustapha also has distinguished himself. Though he may have initially gained a starting role due to an injury to a veteran, he’s been steady all season and recently leapfrogged Ji’Ayir Brown, a 2023 third-rounder, on the safety depth chart.
Last year’s winner: Ji’Ayir Brown
Malik Mustapha has forced his way into the starting lineup during a strong rookie season. (Neville E. Guard / Imagn Images)
Perry/Yonamine Award
Voted on by the players, it goes to the person who best promoted unity on the team and in the community. It’s named for former 49ers Joe “The Jet” Perry and Wally Yonamine.
Fred Warner
He’s a strong candidate for six different awards, including this one. No one comes close to being as vocal during practices, before games, during games, at halftime and after games as Warner.
Last year’s winner: George Kittle
Garry Niver Award
This is the media’s “good guy award” — one that goes to the player who’s most helpful to reporters. It’s named after Niver, a longtime beat writer for the San Mateo Times.
George Kittle
There are a handful of players who hold weekly media scrums, then stick around for a few follow-up questions. They include Kittle, Warner and Bosa. Kittle distinguished himself this year with his answers. They’re thoughtful, colorful and decidedly not boilerplate. Being available is great. Being interesting is even better.
Last year’s winner: Nick Bosa