Editing San Francisco 49ers (section)

=== Edward DeBartolo era (1977–1999) ===
Lou Spadia retired from the 49ers in 1977 upon the team's sale to the DeBartolo Family. The team was sold to [[Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.]] in March 1977, and despite finishing the season with a winning record of 8–6, Clark was fired after just one season by newly hired general manager [[Joe Thomas (American football executive)|Joe Thomas]], who oversaw the worst stretch of football in the team's history.<ref name=":0" />

Under coach [[Ken Meyer]] the 49ers lost their first five games of the [[1977 NFL season|1977 season]], including being shut out twice.<ref name="u237">{{cite web | title=Longtime coach, Gadsden resident Meyer dies at 91 | website=Gadsden Times | date=2016-08-16 | url=https://www.gadsdentimes.com/story/sports/college/2016/08/16/longtime-coach-gadsden-resident-meyer-dies-at-91/25626696007/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> Though they won five of their next six, they lost their last three games to finish the season 5–9. Playing in San Francisco did not revive Plunkett's career as he had another disappointing season, throwing only 9 touchdown passes. Bright spots for the 49ers included defensive linemen [[Tommy Hart]] and [[Cleveland Elam]], who made the Pro Bowl, and running backs [[Wilbur Jackson]] and [[Delvin Williams]], who combined for over 1,600 yards rushing. [[Gene Washington (49ers)|Gene Washington]] again led the team in receiving in 1977, his final year with the 49ers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1977 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1977.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 1977 offseason was marked by a number of questionable moves by Joe Thomas that backfired badly. Thomas's big offseason acquisition was running back [[O. J. Simpson]] from the [[Buffalo Bills]]. As with Plunkett two years previously, it was thought that rescuing Simpson from a bad situation and bringing him to the west coast where he had been raised would rejuvenate his career. To create playing time for Simpson, Thomas traded Delvin Williams to the [[Miami Dolphins]] for wide receiver [[Freddie Solomon]]. Thomas also released Jim Plunkett, giving up on him after two seasons. Finally, Thomas fired Meyer after only one season, and replaced him with [[Pete McCulley]], his third coach in three seasons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/01/11/49ers-name-mcculley-coach/a0055e90-2f4a-4634-a175-d54c5eba7020/?noredirect=on|title=49ers Name McCulley Coach|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=May 20, 2019|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506062508/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/01/11/49ers-name-mcculley-coach/a0055e90-2f4a-4634-a175-d54c5eba7020/?noredirect=on|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1978 NFL season|1978 season]] was a disaster for the 49ers, as they finished 2–14, their only wins coming against the [[1978 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] and [[1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]. Simpson indeed led the team in rushing, but with less than 600 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1978.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> It became apparent that Simpson's knees and body were worn out, and he was near the end of his career. Wilbur Jackson also missed the entire season due to injury. Even worse for the franchise was that their first pick of the [[1979 NFL season|1979 draft]] was traded to the Bills as part of the O. J. Simpson deal. Joe Thomas was fired following the season. Some of the key players that became part of the 49ers stunning rise began their 49ers career in 1978. Rookie quarterback [[Steve DeBerg]], [[Joe Montana]]'s first mentor, was the 49ers' starting quarterback. Running back [[Paul Hofer]] and center/guard [[Randy Cross]] also started with the 49ers in 1978.[[File:DeBartolo headquarters.jpg|thumb|The headquarters of [[The DeBartolo Corporation]] in [[Boardman, Ohio]], with the 49ers logo on the building, signifying the team's ownership by the [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]]-based DeBartolo-York family]]

The team was led in its turnaround from late 1970s doormat by new owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. and head coach [[Bill Walsh (American football coach)|Bill Walsh]]. The former head coach of [[Stanford University]] was known for stockpiling draft picks, making excellent draft selections, and patching roster holes by acquiring key free agents.

==== Bill Walsh years (1979–1988) ====
Bill Walsh was hired to be the 49ers head coach in the 1978 off-season.<ref name="d156">{{cite web | title=Bill Walsh Is Named 49er Coach | website=The New York Times | date=1979-01-10 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/10/archives/bill-walsh-is-named-49er-coach.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> Walsh was a disciple of [[Paul Brown]], and served as Brown's offensive coordinator with the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] from 1968 to 1975. However, Brown did not appoint him as his successor upon his retirement, choosing another assistant, former 49ers center [[Bill Johnson (center)|Bill "Tiger" Johnson]]. Walsh was hired by [[Stanford University]] in 1977. He went 17–7 in two seasons for the Cardinal before being hired by the 49ers in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Walsh College Coaching Records, Awards and Leaderboards |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/bill-walsh-1.html |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Walsh is given credit for popularizing the '[[West Coast offense]]'. The Bill Walsh offense was actually created and refined while he was an assistant coach with the Bengals. The offense utilizes a short, precise, timed passing game as a replacement/augmentation of the running game. The offense is extremely difficult to defend against as it is content to consistently make 6–8-yard gains all the way down the field. (The other West Coast offense—more focused on the vertical, or downfield, passing game—was actually created by 1960s L.A. / San Diego coach [[Sid Gillman]], and San Diego State coach [[Don Coryell]], who also employed a version of it as head coach of the St. Louis (football) Cardinals and [[San Diego Chargers]] during a period where it garnered the nickname "[[Coryell Offense|Air Coryell]]".)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theathleteshub.org/breaking-down-the-air-coryell-offense/|title=Breaking Down The Air Coryell Offense|date=November 18, 2019|website=The Athletes Hub|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119032153/https://theathleteshub.org/breaking-down-the-air-coryell-offense/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Walsh's first draft, the 49ers had targeted [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] quarterback [[Joe Montana]] as an early-round pick. Montana had enjoyed a storied college career, leading the [[1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Fighting Irish]] to the 1977 national title and a number of dramatic comeback victories, the most stunning of all being his final game, at the [[1979 Cotton Bowl Classic]]. Playing the [[Houston Cougars football|University of Houston]] in an ice storm, and with Montana suffering from a bad flu, Notre Dame was down 34–10 in the third quarter. However, Montana led a magnificent rally that culminated with him throwing a touchdown pass on the game's final play to give Notre Dame the 35–34 win.
[[File:Joe Montana ESPN cropped2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Joe Montana]] in 2006]]
Despite this, most scouts did not peg Montana as a top prospect. Although 6'2" and 190–200&nbsp;lbs., Montana's arm strength was considered suspect as was the consistency of his play. Although he did get his share of the credit, most thought of him as a system player surrounded by a great team.

In the 1979 draft, the Dallas Cowboys were placed just ahead of the 49ers. The Cowboys' draft strategy through that time was to take the highest-ranked player on their draft board at the time of their selection, regardless of position. When the Cowboys' turn came up in the third round, the highest-rated player on their board was Montana. However, feeling that the quarterback position was in excellent long-term shape with [[Roger Staubach]] and [[Danny White]], and desperately needing a tight end, the Cowboys went off their strategy and drafted [[Doug Cosbie]]. The 49ers took Montana. The 49ers' other notable draft choice of the 1979 draft was wide receiver [[Dwight Clark]] in the 10th round. Walsh discovered the unheralded Clark while scouting quarterback Steve Fuller of [[Clemson University]] as Clark ran routes for Fuller during Walsh's evaluation of the quarterback. Walsh's serendipitous discovery of Clark proved to be an early glimpse into his philosophy for picking talent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bill-walsh-s-nfl-draft-philosophies-six-lessons-from-the-master-09000d5d82857c66|title=Bill Walsh's NFL draft philosophies: Six lessons from the master|website=NFL.com|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119032152/https://www.nfl.com/news/bill-walsh-s-nfl-draft-philosophies-six-lessons-from-the-master-09000d5d82857c66|url-status=live}}</ref>

As Walsh implemented his strategies and game plan, the 49ers had another year of losing, finishing 2–14 like the previous season. There were, however, a number of bright spots. Despite throwing more interceptions (21) than touchdowns (17), [[Steve DeBerg]] blossomed under Walsh, throwing for over 3,600 yards and completing 60% of his passes. Freddie Solomon also had a good year, with over 800 yards receiving. The running game was patchwork, with Paul Hofer leading the team with 615 yards and [[O. J. Simpson]], in his final season, rushing for only 460 yards and being sidelined with injuries. The 49ers got off to a strong start in 1980, winning their first three games of the season. However, the team, still maturing, lost their next eight games in a row. Many of those games though were close, and the 49ers acquitted themselves well. During the season Walsh alternated DeBerg and Montana at quarterback. Though DeBerg had played well for the 49ers, Walsh felt the team's best chance to win in the long run was with Montana. He alternated the two quarterbacks, giving Montana some experience while keeping opponents off guard. This strategy of alternating quarterbacks from game to game and during games is rare in football, although it had been employed by other successful teams in the past, specifically the [[Dallas Cowboys]] of the early 1970s who alternated Roger Staubach and [[Craig Morton]], and the [[Los Angeles Rams]] of the late 1940s alternating [[Norm Van Brocklin]] and [[Bob Waterfield]].

In all DeBerg started nine games, going 4–5 with 1,998 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Montana started seven games, going 2–5 with 1,795 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine picks; Montana also had a better completion percentage at 64.5 to DeBerg's 57.9.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1980.htm|title=1980 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players {{!}} Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093129/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1980.htm|archive-date=April 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The highlight of the 1980 season, and a sign of good things to come, came in Week 14. The 49ers trailed the [[New Orleans Saints]], who at the time were winless at 0–13, 35–7 at halftime. However, led by Joe Montana, the 49ers made (what was then) possibly the greatest comeback in NFL history, coming back to tie the score in regulation and winning the game in [[Overtime (sports)|overtime]] with a field goal by [[Ray Wersching]] to give the 49ers an incredible 38–35 victory. It was this game, which marked Montana's first big NFL comeback win, that won Montana the quarterback job full-time. A number of key players emerged for the 49ers in 1980. Among them were Dwight Clark, who led the 49ers with 82 receptions and just under 1,000 yards receiving, and running back [[Earl Cooper (NFL)|Earl Cooper]], who ran for over 700 yards.

===== Super Bowl XVI champions (1981) =====
{{See also|1981 San Francisco 49ers season|The Catch (American football)}}
[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 27 - Dan Bunz (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Head coach Bill Walsh led the 49ers to their first NFL championship, defeating the Bengals 26–21 in [[Super Bowl XVI]].]]
With the offense playing well consistently, Walsh and the 49ers focused on overhauling the defense in 1981. Walsh took the highly unusual step of overhauling his entire secondary with rookies and untested players, bringing on board [[Ronnie Lott]], [[Eric C. Wright|Eric Wright]] and [[Carlton Williamson]] and giving [[Dwight Hicks]] a prominent role. He also acquired veteran linebacker [[Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds]] and veteran defensive end and sack specialist [[Fred Dean]]. These additions, when added to existing defensive mainstays like [[Keena Turner]], turned the 49ers into an offensively and defensively balanced, dominant team. After a 1–2 start, the 49ers won all but one of their remaining games to finish with a 13–3 record; at this time, it was the team's best regular-season win–loss record. Dean made the [[Pro Bowl]], as did Lott and Hicks. Led by Montana, the unusual offense was centered on the [[west coast offense|short passing game]], which Walsh used as ball control. Dwight Clark and [[Freddie Solomon]] had excellent years receiving; Clark as the possession receiver, and Solomon as more of a deep threat. The 49ers' running game, however, was among the weakest in the league. [[Ricky Patton]] led the 49ers with only 543 yards rushing. The 49ers' most valuable running back, however, might have been Earl Cooper, whose strength was as a pass catching back. The 49ers faced the [[New York Giants]] in the divisional playoffs and won, 38–24. This set up an NFC championship game match-up with the [[Dallas Cowboys]], whom the 49ers historically could not beat during their playoff runs in the early 1970s. The 49ers played the Cowboys tough, but the Cowboys forced six turnovers and held the lead late. The 49ers were down 27–21 and on their own 11-yard line with 4:54 remaining. As Montana had done for Notre Dame and the 49ers so many times, he led the 49ers on a sustained final 89-yard drive to the Cowboys' 6-yard line. On a 3rd-and-3 play, with his primary receiver covered, Montana rolled right and threw the ball off balance to Dwight Clark, who leaped in the end zone and caught the ball to tie the game at 27 ("[[The Catch (NFL)|The Catch]]"), with the extra point giving the 49ers the lead. The Cowboys had one last chance to win. On the first play of the next possession, Cowboys receiver [[Drew Pearson (American football)|Drew Pearson]] caught a pass from Danny White and reached midfield before he was pulled down by the jersey at the 49ers' 44-yard line by cornerback Eric Wright, who prevented a winning touchdown. On the next play, White was sacked by [[Lawrence Pillers]] and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by [[Jim Stuckey]], giving the 49ers the win and a trip to their first-ever Super Bowl, against the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], who were also in their first Super Bowl. In [[Super Bowl XVI]] The 49ers took a 20–0 halftime lead and held on to win 26–21 behind kicker [[Ray Wersching]]'s four field goals and a key defensive stand. In the '81 season, the defense had been a significant reason for the team's success, despite hiding in the shadow of the then-innovative offense. Montana won MVP honors mostly on the strength of leading the 49ers on a 92-yard, 12-play drive culminating in a touchdown pass to Earl Cooper. The 49ers completed one of the most dramatic and complete turnarounds in NFL history, going from a 2–14 season and a 6–10 season to a Super Bowl championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Greatest single-season turnarounds: 1981 49ers|url=https://www.nfl.com/videos/greatest-single-season-turnarounds-1981-49ers|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=NFL.com|language=en-US|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119032433/https://www.nfl.com/videos/greatest-single-season-turnarounds-1981-49ers|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1982 season was a retrogression; the team lost all five games at Candlestick Park en route to a 3–6 record in a strike-shortened season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1982 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1982.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> This year was the 49ers' last losing season for the next 17 years. Joe Montana was the one highlight, passing for 2,613 yards in just nine games, highlighted by five straight games in which he broke the 300-yard barrier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joe Montana 1982 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MontJo01/gamelog/1982/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 28 - Roger Craig (cropped).jpg|thumb|Roger Craig (''middle'') and Joe Montana (''right'') led the 49ers to their second Super Bowl victory ([[Super Bowl XIX|XIX]]) in four seasons.]]
In 1983, the 49ers won their final three games and finished 10–6, winning their second NFC Western Divisional Title in three years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1983 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1983.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Leading the rebound was Joe Montana with another stellar season; he passed for 3,910 yards and 26 touchdowns. In the NFC Divisional Playoffs, the 49ers hosted the Detroit Lions. The 49ers jumped in front early and led 17–9 entering the 4th quarter, but the Lions roared back, scoring two touchdowns to take a 23–17 lead. However, Montana led a comeback, hitting wide receiver Freddie Solomon on a game-winning 14-yard touchdown pass with 2:00 on the clock and putting the 49ers ahead 24–23. The game ended when Lions placekicker [[Eddie Murray (American football)|Eddie Murray]] missed a game-winning FG attempt. The next week, the 49ers came back from a 21–0 deficit against the [[Washington Redskins]] in the NFC championship game to tie the game, before controversial penalties and a late [[Mark Moseley]] field goal sent the Redskins to a 24–21 victory and [[Super Bowl XVIII]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.commanders.com/video/1983-nfc-championship-49ers-vs-redskins-highlights-15042912|title=1983 NFC Championship: 49ers vs. Redskins highlights|website=Washington Commanders|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119033640/https://www.washingtonfootball.com/video/1983-nfc-championship-49ers-vs-redskins-highlights-15042912|url-status=live}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XIX champions (1984) =====
In 1984, the 49ers had one of the greatest seasons in team history by finishing the regular season 15–1, setting the record for most regular-season wins that was later equaled by the 1985 [[Chicago Bears]], the 1998 [[Minnesota Vikings]], the 2004 [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], the 2011 [[Green Bay Packers]] and finally broken by the 2007 [[New England Patriots]] (with 16 regular-season victories). Their 18 wins overall is also still a record, tied by the 1985 Bears and the 2007 New England Patriots (who won 18 straight, but lost [[Super Bowl XLII]] to the [[New York Giants]]). The 49ers' only defeat in the 1984 season was a 20–17 loss to the Steelers; a late field goal attempt in that game by San Francisco kicker [[Ray Wersching]] went off the uprights and was no good. In the playoffs, they beat the New York Giants 21–10, shut out the Chicago Bears 23–0 in the NFC championship, and in [[Super Bowl XIX]] the 49ers shut down a record-setting year by NFL MVP [[Dan Marino]] (and his speedy receivers Mark Clayton and Mark Duper), beating the [[Miami Dolphins]] 38–16. Their entire defensive backfield (Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Dwight Hicks, and Carlton Williamson) was elected to the Pro Bowl—an NFL first.

In the [[1985 NFL draft]], the team received the 28th overall pick after winning the Super Bowl the previous year. On draft day, the 49ers traded its first two picks for New England's first-round choice, the 16th selection overall (the teams also swapped third-round picks as part of the deal), and selected [[Jerry Rice]] from [[Mississippi Valley State University|Mississippi Valley State]]. It was reported that the Dallas Cowboys, who had the 17th selection overall, were intending to pick him. In the 1985 season, the 49ers were not as dominant as in 1984, finishing the regular season with a 10–6 record and a wild card berth. Jerry Rice struggled at times (dropping numerous passes), but he still impressed the NFL in his rookie season for the 49ers in 1985, especially after a 10-catch, 241-yard game against the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in December. Rice was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year after recording 49 catches for 927 yards, and averaging 19.9 yards per catch, [[Roger Craig (American football)|Roger Craig]] became the first NFL player to gain 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. In the 1985 playoffs, the 49ers were quickly eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Giants 17–3.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/30/sports/giants-stop-49ers-in-wild-card-playoff-17-3.html|title=Giants Stop 49ers in Wild-Card Playoff, 17–3|last=Litsky|first=Frank|date=December 30, 1985|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813060009/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/30/sports/giants-stop-49ers-in-wild-card-playoff-17-3.html|archive-date=August 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1986 NFL season, the 49ers got off to a quick start after a 31–7 win over the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] on opening day. But the win was costly; Joe Montana injured his back and was out for two months, the injury was to a spinal disc in Montana's lower back and required immediate surgery. The injury was so severe that Montana's doctors suggested that Montana retire. On September 15, 1986, the 49ers placed Montana on the [[injured reserve list]], [[Jeff Kemp]] became the starting quarterback, and the 49ers went 4–3–1 in September and October.
[[File:Jerry Rice jersey.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Rice's No. 80 jersey from December 1987, when he set a new record for touchdowns and receptions with the 49ers]]

Montana returned to the team on November 6 of that year. In his first game back from injury, Montana passed for 270 yards and three touchdown passes in a 43–17 49er victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 49ers caught fire, winning the next 5 of the final 7 games, including a 24–14 win over the Los Angeles Rams, to clinch the NFC West title. Jerry Rice continued to show improvement from the previous season catching 86 passes for a league-leading 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns. Montana was co-recipient of the 1986 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, which he shared with Vikings quarterback [[Tommy Kramer]]. However, the [[1986 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] would defeat the 49ers again in the playoffs, 49–3 in the team's worst post-season loss to date. Montana was again injured in the first half by a hit from the Giants' [[Jim Burt (American football)|Jim Burt]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/05/sports/montana-is-hospitalized-for-concussion.html | title=Montana Is Hospitalized for Concussion | first=Michael | last=Janofsky | date=January 5, 1987 | work=The New York Times | access-date=December 20, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204070453/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/05/sports/montana-is-hospitalized-for-concussion.html | archive-date=February 4, 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In the off-season, Bill Walsh was concerned about Montana's health going forward, and with no reliable back-up at quarterback he completed a trade for [[Steve Young]], then a quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the strike-shortened 1987 season, the 49ers became one of the NFL's elite teams once again with a league-best 13–2 record. Joe Montana had a bounce-back year after his injuries the previous year and being questioned by the media if he could still produce at a high level, by throwing 31 touchdown passes, a career-high. He also set the NFL record for most consecutive pass attempts without an incomplete pass (22), passed for 3,054 yards, and had a passer rating of 102.1. Rice had established himself as an elite receiver, he caught 65 passes for 1,078 yards and a then NFL-record 22 touchdowns in just 12 games. 1987 was the second of six seasons in which Rice would lead the NFL in receiving or touchdown receptions, he was named [[National Football League Offensive Player of the Year Award|Offensive Player of the Year]]. By the end of the regular season the 49ers were ranked No. 1 on both offense and defense and were heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl. However, they were stunned in the [[1987–88 NFL playoffs#NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24|NFC divisional round]], losing 36–24 to what was believed to be an inferior [[1987 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] team, their third straight playoff loss. Joe Montana had one of the worst post-season games of his career and was eventually benched during the game in favor of Steve Young, who scored a rushing touchdown and threw another. After the game, owner [[Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.|Eddie DeBartolo]] stripped Walsh of the team president title. [[Dwight Clark]] retired that off-season.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dwightclark87.com/bio.html | title=Dwight Clark biography | website=DwightClark87.com | access-date=February 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121110730/http://www.dwightclark87.com/bio.html | archive-date=January 21, 2018 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XXIII champions (1988) =====
During the off-season, a quarterback controversy between Joe Montana and Steve Young had begun after Montana's poor performance in the playoffs the previous year. Many speculated that the 1988 season would be his last year with the team. In the [[1988 NFL season]], the 49ers struggled to start the season; Walsh would constantly switch QBs between Montana (who suffered an elbow injury week 1 that would linger for most of the season) and Young. At one point, they were 6–5 and the team was in danger of missing the playoffs. Before week 11, [[Ronnie Lott]] called a players-only meeting; after the meeting, the team came together and defeated the defending Super Bowl champion [[1988 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] in a Monday night game, Montana had fully recovered from his injury and retook the starting quarterback job as the team eventually finished the season at 10–6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1988.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> They gained a measure of revenge by routing the [[1988 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] 34–9 in the divisional playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers - January 1st, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901010sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 49ers then traveled to Chicago's [[Soldier Field]] for the NFC championship against the [[Chicago Bears]], where the wind chill factor at game time was −26°.<ref name="h206">{{cite web | last=Hawley | first=Larry | title=A look at memorable Bears' cold weather games in Chicago | website=WGN-TV | date=2022-12-23 | url=https://wgntv.com/sports/bears-report/a-look-at-memorable-bears-cold-weather-games-in-chicago/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> However, despite the weather, Joe Montana picked apart the Bears' top-rated defense by scoring three touchdowns as the 49ers dominated the Bears with a 28–3 victory, earning the team's third trip to the Super Bowl, to go against the [[Cincinnati Bengals]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears - January 8th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901080chi.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In [[Super Bowl XXIII]], despite numerous trips deep into Cincinnati territory by the 49ers, the game was tied 3–3 at halftime. Early in the fourth quarter, Montana tied the score at 13; however, Cincinnati regained the lead on a [[Jim Breech]] field goal to put the Bengals ahead 16–13 with just over three minutes left on the clock. Following the kickoff, and a holding penalty, the 49ers took over on their 8-yard line with 3:08 left on the clock. Joe Montana began the final drive by stepping into the huddle and remarking to offensive tackle [[Harris Barton]], during a television timeout, "hey, there's [[John Candy]]", as he pointed to the stands on the other side of the field.<ref name=comeback>{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016306.html | title=Montana was comeback king | work=[[ESPN.com]] | last=Schwartz | first=Larry | access-date=August 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809043825/http://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016306.html | archive-date=August 9, 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref> His calm demeanor reassured the 49ers, and he then engineered what some consider the greatest drive in Super Bowl history, as he drove the team 92 yards for the winning touchdown on a pass to [[John Taylor (American football)|John Taylor]] with only 34 seconds left, as they captured their third Super Bowl championship with a score of 20–16.<ref name="l618">{{cite web | last=Reid | first=Ron | title=TAYLOR MAKES AMENDS WITH THE WINNING CATCH | website=Inquirer.com | date=2008-01-25 | url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/online_extras/20080125_TAYLOR_MAKES_AMENDS_WITH_THE_WINNING_CATCH.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> Jerry Rice was named Super Bowl MVP.<ref name=comeback/>

==== George Seifert years (1989–1996) ====
After Super Bowl XXIII, Bill Walsh retired as head coach; his defensive coordinator and handpicked successor, [[George Seifert]], took over as head coach.<ref name="o585">{{cite web | last=Miller | first=Johnny | title=With Browns in pursuit, 49ers make Seifert head coach, 1989 | website=SFGATE | date=2014-01-26 | url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/with-browns-in-pursuit-49ers-make-seifert-head-5170548.php | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XXIV champions (1989) =====
In the [[1989 NFL season]], Joe Montana threw for 3,521 yards and 26 touchdowns, with only 8 interceptions, giving him a 112.4 quarterback rating, which was then the highest single-season passer rating in NFL history, and was named [[NFL Most Valuable Player Award|NFL Most Valuable Player]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joe Montana 1989 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MontJo01/gamelog/1989/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Passer Rating Single-Season Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/pass_rating_single_season.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Jerry Rice, in his fifth year in the league, continued to dominate; he led the league with almost 1,490 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1989 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1989/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 49ers clinched their fourth straight division title, beating the [[1989 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] 30–27 after a dramatic second-half comeback; they finished 14–2, gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their two losses were by a combined five points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1989.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In the divisional playoffs, they easily defeated the Vikings, 41–13. In the [[1989–90 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 3|NFC championship game]], they played against the Rams for a third time; the previous two games had been decided by a total of 4 points, but they were able to blow out the Rams 30–3, earning another trip to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the [[1989 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in relatively easy fashion by a score of 55–10 in [[Super Bowl XXIV]] – setting a record for points scored and widest margin of victory in a Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers - January 6th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001060sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers - January 14th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001140sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXIV - San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos - January 28th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001280den.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Montana himself set many Super Bowl records (some since tied or surpassed) en route to his third Super Bowl MVP. In winning the Super Bowl, the 49ers became the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls under different head coaches. This 1989 championship team is often regarded as one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, winning three playoff games by a combined 100 points.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://dev.realclearsports.com/lists/dominating_postseason_team_performances/1989_san_francisco_49ers.html | title=Top 10 Most Dominant Postseasons: 1989 San Francisco 49ers | date=May 28, 2012 | access-date=February 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205233159/http://dev.realclearsports.com/lists/dominating_postseason_team_performances/1989_san_francisco_49ers.html | archive-date=February 5, 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref>[[File:SF 49ers HQ tophy wall.JPG|thumb|right|49ers wall of trophies at the Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Center]]
In [[1990 NFL season|1990]], the 49ers won their first 10 games, and they eventually finished 14–2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1990.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> They ripped through the season, and the coveted third consecutive Super Bowl victory seemed within reach. In the playoffs, the 49ers dispatched the [[1990 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 28–10,<ref name="1991Divisional">{{cite news|last1=Stellino|first1=Vic|title=Montana picks Redskins apart in 28–10 victory 49ers' interceptions thwart two drives|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/01/13/montana-picks-redskins-apart-in-28-10-victory-49ers-interceptions-thwart-two-drives/|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 13, 1991|access-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090401/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-01-13/sports/1991013121_1_joe-montana-montana-time-49ers|archive-date=May 18, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> setting up a conference championship game with the [[1990 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]. Despite not scoring a touchdown in the game, the Giants took advantage of a fourth-quarter injury to Montana and converted a faked punt attempt to thwart the 49ers' attempt at a "three-peat". The Giants kicked a last-second field goal after recovering a Roger Craig fumble in the final minutes of the game, winning 15–13 and going on to win [[Super Bowl XXV]].<ref name="Gutsiest">{{cite web|last1=Merron|first1=Jeff|title=The List: Gutsiest calls in sports|url=http://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/gutsiestcalls.html|website=ESPN|access-date=August 19, 2017|format=Page 2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820062925/http://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/gutsiestcalls.html|archive-date=August 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

During their quest for a "three-peat" between 1988 and 1990, the 49ers set a league record with 18 consecutive road victories.<ref name="g335">{{cite web | title=The Top 17 Streaks in San Francisco 49ers History | website=49ers.com| date=2015-02-03 | url=https://www.49ers.com/news/the-top-17-streaks-in-san-francisco-49ers-history-14879170 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> Joe Montana missed almost all of the following two seasons with a recurring elbow injury. Following the 1990 season, the 49ers left team stalwarts Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott unprotected and let them go to the [[Los Angeles Raiders]] via Plan B free agency.<ref name="l845">{{cite web | last=Gay | first=Nancy | title=Mystery still surrounds extent of injury to Montanta's elbow | website=Baltimore Sun | date=1991-09-04 | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/09/04/mystery-still-surrounds-extent-of-injury-to-montantas-elbow/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>

In [[1991 NFL season|1991]], [[Steve Young (American football)|Steve Young]] injured the thumb on his throwing hand and later was sidelined with an injured knee. After 10 games, the 49ers had a record of 4–6. Backup quarterback [[Steve Bono]] helped the team win its next five games with Young sidelined. In the final game of the season, Monday night versus the NFC's number two seed, Young returned and the 49ers beat the [[1991 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] 52–14, finishing 10–6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1991.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> However, the team missed qualifying for the playoffs by virtue of losing the head-to-head tiebreaker to the [[1991 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], which had beaten the 49ers on a last-second Hail Mary pass earlier in the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In [[1992 NFL season|1992]], Joe Montana came back after missing almost two full seasons due to an elbow injury in his throwing arm and started the second half of a Monday night game versus [[1992 Detroit Lions season|Detroit]] on December 28, 1992. With the 49ers clinging to a 7–6 lead, Montana entered the game and looked as though he had not missed a single snap, completing 15–21 for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns, as the 49ers defeated the Lions 24–6. The 49ers finished the 1992 season with a 14–2 record and home-field advantage in the playoffs. San Francisco defeated the [[1992 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 20–13 in the divisional playoff game but lost to the [[1992 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] 30–20 in the NFC championship at Candlestick Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers - January 9th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301090sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 17th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

At the end of the 1992 season, partly fueled by media hype, the biggest quarterback controversy in football history was in full swing. After discussions with the owner and the coach, Montana asked for, and was granted, a trade to the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] prior to the 1993 season.<ref name="r306">{{cite web | last=Gatto | first=Tom | title=Why Joe Montana left the 49ers for the Chiefs | website=Sporting News | date=2020-01-31 | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/why-joe-montana-left-the-49ers-for-the-chiefs/1u7yyq3mopvjs1dcj0nuw5mgb2 | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> Despite Eddie DeBartolo wanting Montana to stay and start, Montana realized that he and Young could not stay with the 49ers without a controversy. Montana was later quoted as saying, "If I had stayed and started, there would have been problems. If I had stayed and Steve Young had started, there would have been problems."

The 49ers finished the [[1993 NFL season|1993 season]], the team's first without Joe Montana on the roster, with a 10–6 record and no. 2 seed in the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1993.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/index.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> San Francisco defeated the [[1993 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] 44–3 in the divisional playoff game but lost to the [[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] 38–21 in the NFC championship at Texas Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers - January 15th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401150sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys - January 23rd, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401230dal.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XXIX champions (1994) =====
[[File:49ers Super Bowl ring.jpg|thumb|200px|The 49ers ring for [[Super Bowl XXIX]]]]
[[File:Steve Young HOF jersey.jpg|thumb|Quarterback [[Steve Young]]'s jersey, displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
In [[1994 NFL season|1994]], the team spent large amounts of money on the addition of several star free agents from other teams, including [[Ken Norton (American football)|Ken Norton Jr.]], [[Gary Plummer (American football)|Gary Plummer]], [[Rickey Jackson]], [[Bart Oates]], [[Richard Dent]], [[Charles Mann (American football)|Charles Mann]] and [[Deion Sanders]].<ref name="f244">{{cite web | last=Fucillo | first=David | title=The 49ers salary cap maneuvering in 1994 was entertaining as all get out | website=Niners Nation | date=2017-06-11 | url=https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/6/11/15777230/49ers-salary-cap-maneuvering-1994-deion-sanders-ken-norton#:~:text=They%20signed%20Deion%20Sanders%2C%20Gary,players%20left%20other%20owners%20complaining. | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> Additionally, several rookie players made key contributions to the team, some becoming season-long starters such as defensive tackle [[Bryant Young]], fullback [[William Floyd (American football)|William Floyd]], and linebacker [[Lee Woodall]]. Due to injuries to the offensive line, the 49ers had some tough times early in the season, including a 40–8 home loss to the [[1994 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]], and a 24–17 loss to the [[1994 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]], led by former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana. Following the Eagles game, a poll conducted on local sports radio station [[KNBR (AM)|KNBR]] showed that an overwhelming majority of 49er fans wanted head coach George Seifert fired. The game against the Eagles was a turning point for the 49ers despite the lopsided score. Quarterback Steve Young was benched in the 3rd quarter and was later seen on the sidelines, shouting profanities at Seifert. The following week in Detroit, the 49ers trailed the [[1994 Detroit Lions season|Lions]] 7–0. After throwing a pass, Young was hit, picked up, and driven into the ground by three Lions defenders. He crawled most of the way off of the field before refusing help from the trainers as he limped the remaining way off the field. He returned to the field two plays later (NFL rules state that after trainers attend to an injured player, that player must leave the field for at least one play) to lead the 49ers to a 27–21 victory. The team rallied around Young to win 10 straight games, including a 21–14 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]. During that span the 49ers' average margin of victory was nearly 20 points per game, a sustained dominance not seen since the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 Chicago Bears]]. Despite scoring only 8 points in one game and 14 in another, the 49ers set a new record for total regular-season and post-season combined points scored. That record was later broken by the [[2007 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] in 2007 (the 1998 Minnesota Vikings scored 556 regular-season points, but only 68 postseason points, for a total of 624 points, while the 1994 49ers scored 495 regular-season points and 131 postseason points for a total of 626, the second-highest mark in NFL history). Even after those initial rough spots early in the season, the 49ers finished the season 13–3 and with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1994.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In their first game, they easily defeated the [[1994 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], 44–15, setting up the third straight [[1994–95 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers 38, Dallas Cowboys 28|49ers–Cowboys NFC championship game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers - January 7th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501070sfo.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 49ers took advantage of three early Cowboys turnovers, taking a 21–0 lead in the first quarter. Taking a 31–14 lead into halftime after a perfect 29-yard pass from Young to Rice in the closing seconds, the game appeared to be far out of reach for the Cowboys. But a 49er fumble on the opening kick of the 3rd quarter led to a Cowboy score, cutting the lead to 31–21. Later, the 49ers responded with a Young touchdown run, making it 38–21, before the Cowboys scored another touchdown in the final minutes for a final score of 38–28.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 15th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The convincing win qualified the 49ers for their fifth [[Super Bowl]] appearance, and the first to be played by two teams from California. The 49ers steamrolled the [[1994 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] 49–26 behind Young's record-setting 6 touchdown passes in [[Super Bowl XXIX]], at the time becoming the first team to win a record five Super Bowls.<ref name="u712">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Dave | title=SPORTS OF THE TIMES: SUPER BOWL XXIX; Steve Young Showcases His 21st Century Offense | website=The New York Times | date=1995-01-30 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/30/sports/sports-times-super-bowl-xxix-steve-young-showcases-his-21st-century-offense.html | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> Finally establishing himself as a worthy successor to Joe Montana, Young was named the game's MVP.<ref name="n066">{{cite web | title=SUPER BOWL XXIX; All Routs Lead to San Francisco: 49ers Win Fifth Title | website=The New York Times | date=1995-01-30 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/30/sports/super-bowl-xxix-all-routs-lead-to-san-francisco-49ers-win-fifth-title.html | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> The 49ers' run of five Super Bowl wins in 14 seasons (1981–1994) solidified them alongside the 1960s [[Vince Lombardi]] [[Green Bay Packers]] and 1970s [[Chuck Knoll]] [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] as one of the modern NFL's great dynasties.<ref name="k732">{{cite web | last=Costello | first=Brian | title=Little debate about who tops the best dynasties in NFL history | website=New York Post | date=2018-01-27 | url=https://nypost.com/2018/01/27/little-debate-about-who-tops-the-best-dynasties-in-nfl-history/ | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref>

The 49ers finished with a 11–5 record, won the division, and made the playoffs in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1995.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The team finished with a 12–4 record and made the postseason in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In both 1995 and 1996, they were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers both times in the Divisional Round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 6th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601060sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers - January 4th, 1997 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701040gnb.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On January 17, 1997, [[George Seifert]] resigned as 49ers head coach.<ref name="c164">{{cite web | last=Simers | first=T.J. | title=Seifert Leaves 49ers With Bear of a Coach | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1997-01-16 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-16-sp-19241-story.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> On the same day as Seifert's resignation, the 49ers hired [[California Golden Bears football|Cal]] head coach [[Steve Mariucci]] as his replacement. At the time, Mariucci only had one year of head-coaching experience at any level.<ref name="w686">{{cite web | last=Silver | first=Michael | title=WHIZ KID WITH THEIR BOLD HIRING OF YOUNG STEVE MARIUCCI, THE 49ERS THINK THEY'VE LANDED THE BILL WALSH OF THE FUTURE | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=1997-01-27 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/01/27/whiz-kid-with-their-bold-hiring-of-young-steve-mariucci-the-49ers-think-theyve-landed-the-bill-walsh-of-the-future | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> The first game of the [[1997 NFL season|1997 season]] against the [[1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] was a disaster, as both quarterback Steve Young and receiver Jerry Rice went down with injuries. Rice appeared to be out for the season with a serious knee injury, while Young left the game with one of the many concussions he suffered throughout his career. However, the team overcame adversity: Young returned two weeks later, and with the league's number one defense, the 49ers finished the season with a 13–3 record which included an 11-game winning streak which was the longest by a rookie head coach at the time, and the 49ers became the quickest team in NFL history to clinch their division at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1997.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Rice returned for one and a half quarters in week 16 against the [[Denver Broncos]], before getting another injury to his knee (unrelated to the first one). In the playoffs the 49ers defeated the [[Minnesota Vikings]] 38–22,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers - January 3rd, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801030sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> advancing to the [[1997–98 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers 23, San Francisco 49ers 10|NFC championship game]] for the first time since 1994, where they again met the [[1997 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] at Candlestick Park, but lost 23–10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 11th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801110sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

During that season Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was involved in a corruption investigation regarding [[Louisiana]] [[Governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Edwin Edwards]] and one of his [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] [[riverboat]] [[casino]]s. DeBartolo later pleaded guilty to a failure to report a felony charge in 1998. He was suspended from active control of the 49ers for one year.<ref name="f757">{{cite web | title=DeBartolo Will Be Fined and Suspended by the NFL | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1999-03-16 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-16-sp-17896-story.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> His sister, [[Denise DeBartolo York|Denise]], and her husband, [[John York|Dr. John York]], took over operations of the team.<ref name="t196">{{cite web | last=Burack | first=Emily | title=Who Owns the San Francisco 49ers? All About the York Family | website=Town & Country | date=2024-02-11 | url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/sporting/a46625844/who-are-york-family-san-francisco-49ers-owner/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>

In [[1998 NFL season|1998]], Jerry Rice finally returned from his knee injury week 1 against the [[New York Jets]], a game best remembered for running back [[Garrison Hearst]]'s 96-yard touchdown run in overtime to win the game.<ref name="u554">{{Cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Briana  |last2=Hession |first2=Joe |date=2022-09-06 |title=This Day in The Bay: Garrison Hearst's Game-Winning Touchdown |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/this-day-in-the-bay-garrison-hearst-s-game-winning-touchdown |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> The 49ers had the 2nd most productive offense in league history. Young, who was questioned if his concussion history would put an end to his career, had his best season, throwing for 4,170 yards, 36 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. A healthy Jerry Rice, 3rd-year player [[Terrell Owens]], and 4th-year player [[J.J. Stokes]] became the first WR-trio in team history to catch at least 60 passes in the same season, Hearst ran for 1,570 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The 49ers finished 12–4, their 16th straight winning season (all with 10 wins or more), earning a wildcard berth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1998.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Once again, the 49ers faced the [[1998 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] in the playoffs. Things looked bleak when the 49ers trailed 27–23 in the waning seconds. However, in the game's final moment, Young hit Terrell Owens (who was having a terrible game up to that point) on a dramatic, game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass, dubbed by many as "[[The Catch II]]".<ref name="r037">{{cite web | title=Inside 'The Catch II,' the Play That Catapulted Terrell Owens' HOF Career | website=49ers.com| date=2019-07-12 | url=https://www.49ers.com/news/inside-the-catch-ii-the-play-that-catapulted-terrell-owens-hall-of-fame-career | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> That put the 49ers ahead 30–27 with just three seconds left on the game clock, sealing the win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 3rd, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901030sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> After finally beating the Packers, the 49ers went on to lose to the eventual NFC champion [[1998 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] in the [[1998–99 NFL playoffs#NFC: Atlanta Falcons 20, San Francisco 49ers 18|Divisional round]] 20–18, in a game that was marked by Hearst suffering a gruesome broken ankle on the first play from scrimmage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - January 9th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901090atl.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>