The San Francisco 49ers are one of the greatest franchises in all of the NFL. They are tied for the third-most Super Bowl wins in NFL history with five. Unfortunately for their fans, they have not won a Super Bowl since 1995, although they have made it to three Super Bowls since their last victory. In this article, we will break down the greatest players in San Francisco 49ers history most of which led the 49ers to some of the Super Bowl victories.

#5. Frank Gore, RB

Frank Gore had a fantastic and long NFL career, mostly with the San Francisco 49ers. He played a total of 16 seasons, including 10 with the 49ers. 16 seasons in the NFL as a running back is a massive number, but it also goes to show what type of player he was. Not only did 49ers fans love him for 10 years, but he played six more seasons with four other teams.

Gore burst onto the scene in his second season, rushing for a career-high and leading the NFC with 1,695 yards and eight touchdowns with the 49ers. In his ten years in San Fran, Gore was a Second-team All-Pro once and a five-time Pro Bowler. Gore was also selected to the All-Decade team for the 2010s. 

With Gore retiring after the 2020 season, he finished with the third-most rushing yards in NFL history, which has guaranteed him a spot in the Hall of Fame at some point.

#4. Steve Young, QB

Steve Young followed in the footsteps of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Joe Montana. We think it is safe to say that he ended up living up to all of the expectations. Young ended up going on to win the MVP two times throughout his career (1992 & 1994).

Not only did Young win the MVP twice, but he also won Offensive Player of the Year once. Young was also a three-time First-team All-Pro and three-time Second-Team All-Pro, while also being voted into the Pro Bowl seven times and leading the league in passing touchdowns four times.

Perhaps the most important moment in his career was leading the 49ers to their last Super Bowl win in 1995. That was Young’s third championship, but he was the backup to Montana for the first two of his career. Young also won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXIX. Young was a first-ballot Hall of Famer which was well deserved.

#3. Ronnie Lott, DB

Ronnie Lott is widely considered one of the best defensive backs in the history of the NFL. Lott played his first nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before moving on to the Raiders Jets and Chiefs where he spent the latter part of his career.  

Lott was a menace to opposing quarterbacks from his rookie season where he got his hands on seven interceptions and three touchdowns as a rookie. He went on to lead the NFL in interceptions two times in his career including a season in which he had 10 interceptions. The man was the absolute definition of a ball hawk in the secondary at multiple positions.

Lott was on four Super Bowl-winning San Francisco 49ers teams, while being elected First-team All-Pro a whopping eight times. He was also elected to 10 Pro Bowls, nine of which while he was with the 49ers. Lott had an amazing Hall of Fame career.

#2. Jerry Rice, WR

The number two player on this list is considered to be the best wide receiver to ever live and that man is the Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Rice played a whopping 21 seasons in the NFL including his first 16 years with the 49ers.

Rice had an amazing career breaking numerous records in the NFL. Some of those records include total receptions with 1,549, 22,895 receiving yards and 197 receiving touchdowns. Rice also went on to win three Super Bowls in his long career all with the 49ers, which also include a Super MVP in Super Bowl XXIII.

All in all, you can not argue the fact that Jerry Rice is one of the greatest of all time. The man is a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, and a 10-time First-team All-Pro, while also leading the league in touchdowns and receptions in six seasons and was selected as a part of the All-Decade teams for the 1980s and 1990s. It was extremely hard to not make him the number-one player on this list.

#1. Joe Montana, QB

The number one player on this list should not shock anybody as it is Mr. Joe Montana. Before Tom Brady came along, Joe Montana was considered to be the greatest quarterback of all time and some still may make the case.

Montana was the leader of the 49ers for their first four Super Bowl victories. He was also the quarterback at the helm for one of the most famous plays in NFL history, “The Catch” by Dwight Clark in the NFC Championship game, which won them the game and led them to their first-ever Super Bowl success.

Joe Montana is known by many 49ers fans as “Joe Cool” because he never seemed to crumble under pressure. Montana played 15 years and by the time he was done, he had one of the greatest Hall of Fame resumes of all time. 

Montana was elected to the Pro Bowl eight times in his career while being a three-time First-Team All-Pro and two-time Second-Team All-Pro. To top off his career, Montana took home the MVP trophy twice as well. He truly is the greatest 49ers player of all time.