One thing the NFL hasn't truly seen from the San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan is them attempting to get over a Super Bowl hangover.

San Francisco has lost two Super Bowls under Shanahan, both to the Kansas City Chiefs, following February's defeat in Las Vegas in Super Bowl 58.

But the Niners' performance in the 2020 season after their first loss to the Chiefs could hardly be considered a fair reflection of their ability to cope with the hangover. The 49ers went 6-10, but that was in the pandemic season that saw their roster utterly decimated by injury and San Francisco forced to end their season playing home games in Arizona due to a change in COVID-19 regulations in Santa Clara county.

The 49ers will have no such explanations for any unlikely struggles this season, but recent comments by All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is still yet to agree a contract extension with the team, gave an idea of how difficult putting the overtime loss behind them could be.

In an appearance on 'The Pivot' podcast, Aiyuk was recently asked about a post he made on social media in the wake of the 25-22 loss, in which he was targeted six times and caught only three passes for 49 yards. 

Aiyuk posted "Don't forget what got you there"on his Instagram story the day after the Niners' heartbreaking loss.

Asked if his number of targets, which trailed Deebo Samuel (11) and Christian McCaffrey (8) had led him to feel frustrated, Aiyuk replied: "Absolutely it did.

"I get out of the Super Bowl, and I just feel like you're throwing the ball to me five, six times a game all year. I went for 100 [yards in a game] six or seven times this year. I turned 70 catches into 1,400 [yards]. 

"And then here we are right now, talking about being paid, getting paid top dollar in this market, but I don't know. The Super Bowl was tricky. We've moved on past from the Super Bowl."

Aiyuk may say he's moved on from the Super Bowl, but his words suggest it is still in his head, especially as he goes through fractious negotiations with the Niners over a deal that he hopes will make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

The contract situation may have exacerbated any lingering feelings Aiyuk has about the Super Bowl, but he won't be the only player still haunted by a defeat in which the Niners were a defensive stop away from victory.

It is a huge mental hurdle for the 49ers, who remain the favorites in the NFC, to overcome in 2024. Assuming they get a deal done with Aiyuk, the Niners will be hoping that the prolonged saga and the impact of the Super Bowl do not lead to a disappointing forthcoming season for their 2020 first-round pick.

49ers will be hoping they don’t have to see the results of understated offseason improvement

The situation has gotten better.