The NFL team that came the closest to winning a Super Bowl without lifting a trophy has been unceremoniously gutted. In Super Bowl LVIII, the San Francisco 49ers had five different leads on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Niners led 10-0 early, 19-16 late and 22-19 in overtime. A Harrison Butker field goal tied the score with :03 in regulation, and Patrick Mahomes’ touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman won it for the Chiefs with :03 left in overtime.

The Niners suffered heartbreak. Since then they’ve endured a total breakup. From the 22 starters in that Super Bowl, just more than half remain. That’s right, 10 players that started against the Chiefs on Feb. 11, 2024 are now ex-Niners. Those players include receiver Deebo Samuel, left guard Aaron Banks, right guard Jon Feliciano, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, defensive lineman Chase Young, defensive lineman Javon Hargave, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, linebacker Oren Burks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and safety Tashaun Gipson. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was cut this week, but then re-signed. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was on injured reserve that day, is also gone.

For a Kyle Shanahan team and a John Lynch that prides itself on camaraderie and loyalty, it’s a shocking overhaul. Related: 49ers Purdy Credited With Taking Darnold From Bust to Boom The seismic shift puts almost all the pressure on quarterback Brock Purdy, who seems on the verge of receiving a lucrative contract extension. But considering the purge of a roster that came thiiiissss close to winning a championship, it’s frightening to think what might have happened had the Super Bow LVIII Niners been blown out.