
Few, if any, NFL franchises match the history, success and overall talent of the San Francisco 49ers.
Tied with the Dallas Cowboys for the third-most Super Bowl wins in NFL history with five, the 49ers were undoubtedly the most successful team of the 1980s, collecting four of their five titles in that span. Looking at the entire history of the franchise, they also have a remarkable 29 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with more potentially in the very near future.
Here are the 10 greatest 49ers of all time.
10. WR Terrell Owens
1996-2010; 1996-2003 with SF
Owens spent the first eight seasons of his legendary career in San Francisco, becoming a Pro Bowler for the first time in his fifth season in the NFL. When all was said and done, TO made the Pro Bowl in each of his last five seasons with the Niners. For his tenure at San Fran, he averaged over 1,000 yards per season with 10 touchdowns, making him one of the most feared rushing threats in the league. He also made three consecutive first-team All-Pros from the 2000 to 2002 seasons. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
9. LB Patrick Willis
2007-2014, all with SF
Willis’ San Francisco and NFL tenure was on the short side, with the fearsome linebacker playing just eight seasons, all with the Niners. Even so, he dominated from the start. Willis made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons in the league, and earned All-Pro nods in each of his first six seasons. In his rookie season, the Ole Miss product was named first-team All-Pro, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Pro Bowler, while leading the league in tackles. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
8. RB Frank Gore
2005-2020; 2005-2014 with SF
The ageless wonder, Frank Gore, delivered for the Niners setting several team records. His 11,073 rushing yards with the team, 212 rushing yards in an individual game, nine 100-yard games during the 2006 season, and 1,695 rushing yards during the 2006 season are all team records that still stand today. When all was said and done, Gore made five Pro Bowls with San Fran, and amassed an impressive 75 total touchdowns, earning his place in history with the team that drafted him.
7. RB Roger Craig
1983-1993; 1983-1990 with SF
Craig was an all-rounder before tailbacks became a popular trend. In 1985, he led the NFC with 92 receptions, earning a Pro Bowl for his troubles. His best year, however, came in 1988, when he led the NFC with 2,036 scrimmage yards, earned him a Pro Bowl, first-team All-Pro, and AP Offensive Player of the Year, while finishing third in MVP. done Although his tenure with the Niners was short, Craig eventually won three Super Bowls and became a member of the Hall of Fame’s 1980s team.
6. DL Bryant Young
1994-2007, all with SF
One of San Francisco’s least talked about greats, Young did it all on defense for the Niners. The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee played his entire 14-year career with San Francisco, eventually making four Pro Bowls, making four All-Pro teams and, in 1999, winning Comeback Player of the Year. During that season, the veteran defensive lineman collected 11 sacks, five passes defensed, and 19 tackles for loss. In his career, he accumulated an eye-popping 89.5 sacks and 93 tackles for loss and won the 1994 Super Bowl with the team.
5. DB Jimmy Johnson
1961-1976, all with SF
Regarded as one of the best man-to-man defenders in NFL history, Johnson was selected to five Pro Bowls in his long 16-year career with the 49ers. In addition, he also earned an All-Pro selection in five different seasons. In 1994, Johnson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after amassing 47 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns during his storied NFL career.
4. DB Ronnie Lott
1981-1994; 1981-1990 with SF
Perhaps the most difficult defensive back in NFL history, Lott will force offensive players to keep their heads turned as they cross the middle of the field. While patrolling that area, Lott tallied 51 career interceptions with the Niners, led the league in picks twice, and returned five of those 51 for touchdowns. Impressively, Lott was named a first-team All-Pro as a rookie, leading the league with three pick-sixes. He was part of four San Francisco Super Bowl victories, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as the 49ers’ team Hall of Fame, and had his number 42 jersey retired. Lott was a monster in his 10 years in San Francisco.
3. QB Steve Young
1985-1999; 1987-1999 with SF
One of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Young is also a standout 49ers legend. The athletic lefty collected three Super Bowl titles, won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXIX, won two NFL MVPs, made six All-Pro teams, led the NFL in passing touchdowns in four different seasons, and made seven Pro Bowls. made He also had his number 8 jersey retired by the Niners and was eventually inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. As not talked about – he only had four seasons with double-digit interceptions, leading a dominant passing offense.
2. QB Joe Montana
1979-1994; 1979-1992 with SF
The player some still call the GOAT, Montana famously won four Super Bowls with the 49ers without losing a single time his team made a big play, and won the Super Bowl MVP in three of those games. Additionally, his 122 pass attempts in a Super Bowl without an interception is still a record. Montana was as accurate as any passer, leading the league in completion percentage in five different seasons. This led to the QB collecting two NFL MVPs, as well as being selected to eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.
1. WR Jerry Rice
1985-2004; 1985-2000 with SF
Arguably the best receiver in NFL history, Rice was dominant during his time in San Francisco. He led the league in receiving yards six different times with the Niners, while also leading in receiving touchdowns in six different seasons. His average season line was an absurd-best 80 receptions, 1,203 receiving yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns. His 1987 season is still one for the record books in which Rice produced 22 receiving touchdowns, a record that stood until Randy Moss broke it in 2007 with 23 receiving touchdowns. Rice would eventually win three Super Bowls with the team, make 12 Pro Bowls, nine All-Pro teams, and two AP Offensive Player of the Years. This would lead to a well-deserved induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Honorable Mention:
- DT Leo Nomelini
- WR Dwight Clark
- OL Randy Cross
- DE/LB Charles Haley
- OT Bob St. Clair
- LB David Wilcox
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