The San Francisco 49ers are imploding right before our very eyes.

The team was most likely prepared for running back Frank Gore to leave via free agency, while defensive end Justin Smith is planning to retire.

To make matters worse, left guard Mike Iupati, a 3-time Pro Bowler, not only is ready to leave San Francisco, but will reportedly will sign with division rival Arizona.

But here comes the kicker, the heart and soul of the team, Patrick Willis plans to retire himself. The 7-time Pro Bowler appeared in only six games in 2014 before under going season-ending toe surgery.

Although Willis admitted the injury hampered him for years, there was no indication of any type of retirement plans.

“I feel like I have five or six years left in my body so I have to think about the big picture,” Willis said. “I promise you when I come back I will be bigger and better than I was.”

Willis is only 30-years-old, which makes this decision even that much more bizarre.

Jim Harbaugh’s departure left many scratching their heads. During Harbaugh’s four seasons in the Bay Area, he finished with a record of 44-19, including three consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances to go along with one Super Bowl runner-up.

Depending on who you talk to, you may believe that Harbaugh was pushed out by people in the front office, which seems logical.

Owner Jed York and Jim Harbaugh just couldn’t see eye to eye. 

“Our mission is very simple. The San Francisco 49ers win with class. We haven’t won, and I don’t think we’ve conducted ourselves with the level of class that I expect out of our organization. We’ve had off the field issues – that’s going to happen in sports. The level that is has happened here is not acceptable.

“There were things and conversations that we had, I know what my gut was. We had conversations and we did things that probably don’t gel well with who I am. I would rather do the things that we need to but stay at a level of class that I expect from the San Francisco 49ers.”

Winning with class, eh?

It sounds good on the surface, but not when general manger Trent Baalke has a reputation of seeking troubled players. For example, Jason Cole from Bleacher Report says San Francisco is one of the teams interested in Greg Hardy.

There’s no denying Hardy’s ability as a pass rusher. In 2012 and 2013, Hardy sacked the quarterback 11 and 15 times respectively. The 1-time Pro Bowler only appeared in one game this past season.

Hardy was found guilty last summer of domestic violence. The reason he’s a free man today is because his former girlfriend could not be found to testify against him at his appeal.

Just last week, San Francisco signed wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who missed all of last season and has been arrested multiple of times on drug and DUI charges.

Considering York is all about winning with ‘class’, the signing of Simpson makes no sense whatsoever. When York was asked about it, he deflected the pressure on his general manager.

“You have to ask Trent. I don’t know what the thinking was,” York said.

Amidst the Hardy rumor and Simpson signing, we found out that fullback Bruce Miller was arrested last week on misdemeanor charges of spousal battery.

“The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the matter involving Bruce Miller,” Baalke said. “We were disappointed to learn of these reports and will do our due diligence in collecting all relevant information.”

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith had his fair share of run-ins with the law as well, from gun to DUI charges.

Defensive end Ray McDonald was let off free from his case also. He was accused of domestic violence against his fiancee.

However, while the process was still ongoing, San Francisco decided to let McDonald play, which rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

49ers icon and NFL hall of famer Jerry Rice was one of those people.

“I would have totally just taken him off the field until it’s resolved,” Rice said.  “But they have decided to let him play, and it’s just unfortunate. I feel that when you have something that’s weighing you down like that, because it’s a very important topic, and it’s very sensitive, I just feel he should have been taken off the field.”

With Jim Tomsula being promoted to head coach, he obviously has his work cut out for him. Tomsula has been the Niners defensive line coach for the past eight seasons.

“After conducting a thorough coaching search, and meeting with a number of outstanding candidates, Jim Tomsula clearly is the right man to lead this team,” York said. “Jim is a great teacher and a tremendous mentor who conducts himself with great class and integrity.”

Tomsula knows he can’t do it alone, however.

“I believe it takes a village,” Tomsula said. “No one man does anything by himself.”

The 2015 season was going to be one of transition anyway, but without Gore, Willis and Smith in the locker room, the season may be rougher than anyone could have ever imagined.