We are a quarter of the way through the 2015 NFL season, and things are not looking good for the 49ers. The team is 1-3, and while the defense took a step forward in Week 4, the offense has taken a whole lot of steps back. The team travels to face the New York Giants this weekend, and that is followed by games at home against Baltimore and Seattle, at St. Louis and home against the Falcons, before their Week 10 bye.
It is entirely possible something gets figured out in the coming weeks, but it is also possible this team is in the midst of an ugly bottoming stretch. There are winnable games over the next five weeks, but it is not out of the realm of the possible that this team heads into the bye week sitting at 1-8.
It is interesting, but not surprising that Jim Tomsula is not really being mentioned frequently as a coach on the hot seat. Prior to Week 4, Bovada released odds on the first coach to be fired. Joe Philbin was the heavy favorite at 9/4, with Jim Caldwell next at 4/1 and Chuck Pagano third at 7/1. Tomsula was tied for 10th at 16/1 odds.
As bad as things are going, all indications are that he was the hand-picked choice of Jed York and Trent Baalke. The stories vary as to how long ago they decided Tomsula was the guy, but he ended up as the head coach. And given that they were effectively all-in on Tomsula, it seems highly unlikely he gets fired anytime this season. Something could certainly change that, but right now, it seems like Tomsula will get through the season, and probably get a shot at a second season.
The bigger question might be if we see any sort of shakeup to his coaching staff. My guess again is that the group lasts the whole season, but if we continue to see this offense struggle like we have, will we see a new OC or a new QB first this season?
How long do you see Tomsula lasting? Do we see staff changes? Does any of it matter, and are we just going to be left banging our heads against a wall this season? It sure is a great time to be a 49ers fan!