Four 49ers make NFL’s All-Decade team, including linebacker Patrick Willis

The 49ers’ last decade was a roller coaster.

It began with a jolt of enthusiasm with the Jim Harbaugh era. Then came a valley of misery that included four coaches in four seasons and a whole lot of losing. It ended on a relative high note with Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch taking three seasons to build the team that got to last season’s Super Bowl.

When (if?) the 2020 season begins, the 49ers remain one of the top teams in the NFC, with eyes on a return trip to the Super Bowl next winter.

In the meantime, four current or former members of the team were named to the NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade team that was announced on Monday. Let’s go through the list.

Frank Gore, running back

He’s perhaps the team’s most beloved player since the turn of the century by both fans and the organization alike. He played in more games (153) and had more attempts (2,380) than any other running back of the decade. He finished second in yardage (9,786) behind only LeSean McCoy, who also made the team. The other running backs honored were Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson.

Gore, who turns 37 next month, is first among active running backs with 15,347 yards which ranks third on the all-time list. He’s 1,379 yards behind Walter Peyton for second all-time and 3,008 behind Emmitt Smith for first. Gore is a free agent after running for 599 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Buffalo Bills. Expect him to officially retire as a member of the 49ers whenever he hangs up his cleats. As for his Hall of Fame candidacy: His numbers make him a shoe-in. It remains to be seen if he’ll make it on the first ballot.

Joe Staley, left tackle

Staley’s decade included two trips to the Super Bowl and two other NFC title games. It included six Pro Bowl nominations including five straight from 2011 to 2015. He was an Associated Press second-team All Pro in 2011, 2012 and 2013, while the Pro Football Writers named him a first-teamer in 2013. Pro Football Focus tabbed him a second team member in 2017.

Staley, of course, is San Francisco’s longest-tenured player. He was a first-round pick in 2007. He’s played for six coaches, including two different Jim Tomsula tenures, and seven offensive coordinators. Staley appeared in a career-low seven games in 2019 after fracturing his fibula in Week 2 and breaking/dislocating his finger in November. The Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs may have hit Staley harder than any other player. Staley, who turns 36 in August, is signed for two more seasons.

Patrick Willis, linebacker

How good was Willis? He made this all-decade team despite playing in just four seasons during the decade, including sparingly in his final campaign in 2014 when he missed 10 games with foot issues. Those led to his unexpected retirement the following spring after turning 29.

Willis was unquestionably one of the NFL’s top linebackers as soon as he entered the league in 2007 when he was taken in the same round as Staley at No. 11 overall. Willis made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons and led the league in tackles as a rookie. His 374 tackles during the 2010s ranked 35th among linebackers.

Willis remains in the Bay Area and attended the NFC title game victory over the Green Bay Packers. He dabbles in the tech industry while paying casual attention to football. Now 35, Willis never seriously contemplated a return from retirement despite fans clamoring to see No. 52 back in red and gold. No player has wore that number since Willis’ retirement. Having played just eight seasons will make his Hall of Fame candidacy polarizing. He was on the ballot this year but did not make the round of 15 finalists.

Richard Sherman, cornerback

Sherman put a bow on his decade by returning to All-Pro form in 2019 while anchoring a San Francisco secondary that allowed the fewest passing yards per game (169) since 2009. Sherman was named a second-team All-Pro for the second time after receiving first-team honors in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was named to four straight Pro Bowls (2013-2016) before receiving more fan votes than any cornerback last season.

Of course, Sherman made the list because of his dominant tenure as an arch rival to the 49ers with the Seattle Seahawks. He was a key member of the “Legion of Boom” that anchored arguably the best defense of the decade that was able to sustain success under Pete Carroll. Sherman’s appearance in February’s Super Bowl was the third of his career. His 35 interceptions were the most of the decade while his 114 pass breakups ranked fifth. Not bad for a fifth-round draft pick.

How about way-too-early 49ers candidates for the next all-decade team?

Our best guesses: tight end George Kittle, defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner and receiver Deebo Samuel. Perhaps fullback Kyle Juszczyk would get consideration after fullback was neglected off this decade’s list. What about quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo?