GM Trent Baalke takes blame for 49ers’ struggles

The San Francisco 49ers have been pretty abysmal the past season and a half, and GM Trent Baalke is talking the blame for the team’s struggles.

Speaking ahead of the 49ers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Baalke said he bears responsibility for the 49ers’ 1-7 record. He shielded ownership from any of the blame even though the 49ers are nearly $42 million under the salary cap.

“The bottom line is, the ownership gives us everything we need to be successful – everything we need,” Baalke said via CSN Bay Area.

“There’s nothing financial holding us back from being successful. And they’re extremely supportive. They let us make football decisions. They support them wholeheartedly. And they give us every resource necessary to do it. So that’s what’s frustrating. If people want to push blame, find it, look right here, because I’m given everything I need to be successful in the job I’m doing. Period.”

Though Baalke is being a good solider by protecting his bosses, the truth is it’s a combination of ownership and management that is keeping the Niners down. You can start with the team’s decision to side with Baalke and get rid of Jim Harbaugh as the beginning of the downfall. And there are some reports that have indicated head coach Chip Kelly isn’t too fond of Baalke.

Without any semblance of quarterbacks capable of decent play on the roster, the 49ers appear to be a long ways away from being a decent team.