If The 49ers Have a Good Season, Management Will Have To Make a Tough Decision

In 2007 the San Francisco 49ers began the season with much hype and was the favorite by many to win the NFC West. But the 49ers came crashing back to earth with an 8 game losing streak and a 5-11 record thanks in large part by one of the worst offenses I've ever seen which was ran by one of the worst offensive coordinators I've ever seen: Jim Hostler.

At the end of the season, Mike Nolan came close to getting fired but was instead stripped of his GM duties which was given to VP of player personnel Scott McCloughan. It was no secret that the reason the 49ers were so bad was because of the inept offense which forced the 49ers defense to lead the league in time on the field. So in a bold move Mike Nolan hired Mike Martz to inject some life into the 49ers offense and repair Alex Smith's career. Mike Martz was able to turn former Arena League player Kurt Warner, 3rd round pick Marc Bulger, and journeyman quarterback Jon Kitna into a very productive quarterback. His track record speaks for itself.

Now if the 49ers have a successful season and make the playoffs will LARGELY be because of offense. If Martz is able to make the 49ers offense anywhere near what he made it in St. Louis, and to an extent Detroit, Martz would have done the what many in the league think is impossible: make who many believe is a bust, Alex Smith, into a good quarterback.

So here is where management will have to make a tough decision. Mike Nolan currently has 2 years left on his contract. Mike Martz was signed to a 2 year deal. Both of them will have one year left on their contracts at the end of this season. The 49ers have had 4 offensive coordinators in the last 4 years. And in the last 4 years the offense has been abysmal. If Martz gets this offense going and the 49ers make the playoffs, I'm almost certain Martz will be sought after again for a head coaching gig. So do the 49ers let Martz walk and extend Nolan's contract? Or do they fire Nolan and promote Martz to head coach?

If Nolan's contract is extended and Martz leaves for a head coaching job elsewhere, the 49ers will AGAIN have to hire another offensive coordinator and Alex Smith and the rest of the offense will AGAIN have to learn another offense. If Martz is promoted to head coach the offense will have another season in the same system making it very likely offense will get even better.

Of course the perfect scenario is Martz isn't sought after as a head coach and he gets a contract extension as an offensive coordinator and Mike Nolan gets a contract extension as head coach and all is well. But if not, then the 49ers will have to make a very tough decision. What the 49ers do in the next 7 months will be very interesting.