The 49ers haven’t looked like Super Bowl contenders for most of the 2024 NFL season, which is why former San Francisco safety Donte Whitner fears the writing is on the wall.

On the latest episode of NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Hitner’s Hot Take,” Whitner explained why the Faithful may need to temper their high expectations for the remainder of the 49ers’ season.

“I’m sorry to break it to everyone, but the 49ers won’t be making the playoffs this year,” Whitner said. “After Sunday’s debacle in Green Bay, the 49ers will go home early this year, and that’s not because they just lost to Green Bay, but because of the thing they lost.”

Whitner cited the 49ers’ 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers and their collective performance as the main reasons he believes San Francisco won’t make the postseason.

In Week 12, San Francisco was only 241 yards ahead at Lambeau Field to Green Bay’s 325, and the 49ers held the ball 23-17 compared to 36-43 for the Packers.

The 49ers were flat against the Packers and are now 5-6. San Francisco is also last in the NFC behind the 5-6 Los Angeles Rams, the 6-5 Arizona Cardinals and the 6-5 Seattle Seahawks, who are all a combined 3-1 against the 49ers.

“Well, I’ve been wrong before,” Whitner said. “And I hope I’m wrong about this 49ers prediction. But this is not a championship team. This is not a playoff team. Until they get back to their dominant, masterful style and performance, this is a subpar football team.”

Things don’t look rosy for San Francisco. The 49ers next have a date with the 9-2 Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium and then have a few more NFL playoff contenders on their schedule.

In addition, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, among others, is injured.

Whitner has tried to keep faith in San Francisco all season long. But even he couldn’t find any bright spots after the 49ers’ embarrassment on Sunday.

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