49ers of the 21st century: The best Niners of the last 25 years

At the dawn of the 21st century, the 49ers’ sixth Super Bowl title figured to be right around the corner. They have been painfully close a couple of times, but 25 years after Y2K, the wait continues.

That’s not to say the 49ers of the 2000s haven’t produced their share of memories and memorable players.

In the past 25 seasons, the 49ers have reached the playoffs nine times, won the NFC West six times and played in the Big Game to conclude the 2012, 2019 and 2023 seasons. Hall of Famers Larry Allen, Isaac Bruce, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Patrick Willis and Bryant Young all wore Red and Gold during the 2000s before their enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. A couple more from this era should join them in the coming years.

Cam Inman, our 49ers beat writer, also came aboard in 2000. To celebrate his 25 seasons covering the team, here’s a look at his 49ers all-quarter-century team, which he called an exercise in fun nostalgia and surprising debate, with no Lombardi Trophy to boost anyone’s case.

Quarterback

First team: Brock Purdy

Second team: Jeff Garcia

Honorable mention: Jimmy Garoppolo, Colin Kaepernick, Alex Smith

Running back

First team: Frank Gore

Second team: Christian McCaffrey

Honorable mention: Garrison Hearst, Raheem Mostert

San Francisco 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci, left, and wide reciever Terrell Owens (81) celebrate following Owens’ second touchdown of the game against the Dallas Cowboys in the 31-27 49ers win, Sunday Dec. 8, 2002, at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Wide receiver

First team: Terrell Owens, Deebo Samuel

Second team: Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin

Honorable mention: Brandon Aiyuk, Marquise Goodwin, Torrey Smith, Brandon Lloyd

Tight end

First team: George Kittle

Second team: Vernon Davis

Honorable mention: Delanie Walker, Garrett Celek

Fullback

First team: Kyle Juszczyk

Second team: Fred Beasley

Honorable mention: Moran Norris

Left tackle

First team: Joe Staley

Second team: Trent Williams

Honorable mention: Derrick Deese

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: San Francisco 49ers’ Joe Staley (74) heads off the field following their 34-31 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Left guard

First team: Mike Iupati

Second team: Larry Allen

Honorable mention: Laken Tomlinson, David Baas, Aaron Banks

Center

First team: Jeremy Newberry

Second team: Jonathan Goodwin

Honorable mention: Alex Mack, Daniel Kilgore, Eric Heitmann, Jake Brendel

Right guard

First team: Alex Boone

Second team: Daniel Brunskill

Honorable mention: Ron Stone, Dave Fiore, Justin Smiley

Right tackle

First team: Mike McGlinchey

Second team: Anthony Davis

Honorable mention: Scott Gragg

Defensive end

First team: Nick Bosa, Aldon Smith

Second team: Andre Carter, Julian Peterson

Honorable mention: Ray McDonald, Manny Lawson, Dee Ford

San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) emerges from the fog during player introduction before playing the Carolina Panthers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Defensive tackle

First team: Bryant Young, Justin Smith

Second team: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner

Honorable mention: Isaac Sopoaga, Anthony Adams, Ian Williams, Earl Mitchell, Quinton Dial

Linebacker

First team: Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Fred Warner

Second team: Derek Smith, Jeff Ulbrich, Ahmad Brooks

Honorable mention: Takeo Spikes, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Michael Wilhoite

Cornerback

First team: Richard Sherman, Carlos Rogers

Second team: Walt Harris, Shawntae Spencer

Honorable mention: Terrell Brown, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Dontae Johnson, Ahmed Plummer

Safety

First team: Dashon Goldson, Tony Parrish

Second team: Donte Whitner, Antoine Bethea

Honorable mention: Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward, Zach Bronson, Talanoa Hufanga

San Francisco 49ers’ Robbie Gould (9) kicks a field goal against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Kicker

First team: Robbie Gould

Second team: Joe Nedney

Honorable mention: Phil Dawson, David Akers

Punter

First team: Andy Lee

Second team: Mitch Wishnowsky

Honorable mention: Bradley Pinion

Kick returner

First team: Lamichael James

Second team: Allen Rossum

Honorable mention: Bruce Ellington

Punt returner

First team: Ted Ginn Jr.

Second team: Jimmy Williams

Honorable mention: Allen Rossum

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Head coach

First team: Kyle Shanahan

Second team: Jim Harbaugh

Honorable mention: Steve Mariucci

Offensive coordinator

First team: Greg Roman

Second team: Greg Knapp

Honorable mention: Mike McDaniel

Defensive coordinator

First team: Vic Fangio

Second team: Robert Saleh

Honorable mention: Jim Mora, DeMeco Ryans