The 2004 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 59th season, and 55th season in the National Football League. The 49ers hoped to improve upon their disappointing 7–9 output from the previous season. However, the 49ers finished the season with the worst record in football, managing only two victories, both coming against division-rival Arizona Cardinals in overtime. The 49ers earned the #1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, where they selected quarterback Alex Smith, who would play for the team for eight seasons. Head coach Dennis Erickson was fired after the season.