It would have been easy for the San Francisco 49ers to rest on the history the organization has experienced in the past few seasons. 

But after claiming 13 wins in 2022, the 49ers attacked free agency with a sense of urgency to improve the defensive line. As the market opened a few weeks ago, San Francisco signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a four-year contract worth $84 million. They also inked former first-round pick Clelin Ferrell to a one-year prove-it deal. 

Those two studs are joining tar pass rusher Nick Bosa and defensive tackle Arik Armstead on one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL. 

“What they have continually done is keep a strength a strength,” one NFL executive told The Athletic of the 49ers’ defensive line. “They are at an advantage because of what Kyle Shanahan can do with their offense and their offensive line.

"Then they say, ‘We are going to build our defensive line. Everything else behind it, we can back-fill because we are just going to play coverage and get pressure with four."

Hassan Ridgeway, Samson Ebukam, and Charles Omenihu all left the 49ers. And that move may have been a smart one when hindsight comes into the equation. 

“Ebukam and Omenihu, you are going to find out whether those guys were good at all or just products of that defense,” another executive told The Athletic. “Those are the kinds of guys you improve, recycle and move on from when you are in the 49ers’ current cycle.

"They know their formula. It is just whether they can get over the hump.”

As the 49ers continue to retool, the only thing left on the organization's mind is getting to and winning a Super Bowl. Windows for championships don't last long in the NFL. If San Francisco doesn't capitalize on its time now, the franchise will be left with some of the worst thoughts in sports — what if.