The 2020 NFL season -- should it commence as scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic -- will be unlike any in history.
Due to the continued spike in cases across the country, most teams are preparing to play games with no fans in attendance, although no final determination has been made yet. While each city will make their own decision on fans, the 49ers more than likely are headed toward playing games in an empty Levi's Stadium in 2020. That will be an unprecedented situation, but defensive tackle Arik Armstead is prepared to do whatever is necessary to play.
"It's definitely going to be interesting," Armstead said on The Breakaway Podcast, H/t 49ers Webzone. "It's something that none of us has really gone through. So, it's going to be interesting, but I'm missing football and am just excited to get back in any fashion, really. I miss playing, miss being around the guys, so hopefully, we can be back in some capacity."
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The 49ers are set to visit the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks in 2020. Both Mercedes-Benz Superdome and CenturyLink Field are among the loudest and most hostile environments for opposing teams to play in. That challenge could be made easier if there are no fans in attendance, and Armstead believes playing in an empty stadium will benefit one side of the ball in particular.
"The game's definitely going to be a little weird, but we're professional athletes, and can make those adjustments," Armstead said. "I think no crowd gives an advantage to -- I would say gives it to the offense. Defensively, we communicate, but we don't have to communicate as much. So, when the crowd is there, and they're loud and rowdy, it definitely affects the offense a bunch.
"But it's going to be a challenge for both, too. Defensively, you make a big play, and it's kind of quiet. Really, no momentum shift or anything like that. It could be a little weird."
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The 49ers enter the 2020 season still licking their wounds from their collapse in Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs. Most of that Super Bowl roster returns, with a few tweaks made at key positions. Deforest Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, Emmanuel Sanders joined the Saints in free agency and longtime 49ers left tackle Joe Staley retired.
The 49ers acquired seven-time Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams to replace Staley, and drafted defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the first round to fill the void left by Buckner and Sanders.
Armstead, who agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract this offseason, believes the 49ers can be even better in 2020 as they eye a return to the Super Bowl.
"Every season brings new challenges, but I feel like everyone is just getting more and more comfortable with one another, settling into our roles, and what our coaches ask of us, and what we need to do to go out there to get victories," Armstead said. "So I think we've been getting better and better each year since Shanahan took over.
"I continue to see that growth in us, and we want to improve from last year, and I think we have the roster to do it, so I'm excited to get back to work."
The 49ers have a loaded roster that is ready to win-now. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looks to take another leap in 2020 and silence his critics who believe the 49ers should have swapped him for Tom Brady in the offseason.
Deebo Samuel's Jones fracture throws a wrench into the 49ers' early-season plans. But if Aiyuk, Jalen Hurd, Trent Taylor and Jauan Jennings can step up, the 49ers should be able to weather the storm until Samuel returns.
Fans or no fans, the 49ers are set up for success in 2020.