49ers schedule tracker: Another primetime game has leaked; the Niners are up to 4

It’s been a while since San Francisco has faced an NFC West team in Week 1.

The NFL will reveal the 2025 schedule for all 32 teams on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. PT, but there are always leaks ahead of time that create a big puzzle.

For the San Francisco 49ers, their first piece of the puzzle could be solved, as longtime Seattle radio host Dave “Softy” Mahler reported on Tuesday that the Seattle Seahawks are expected to host the 49ers to kick off the 2025 season.

Mahler, who has previously leaked several scheduled games for the Seahawks, has heard that Seattle will host the potential Week 1 contest. This marks the fourth time in five years that the 49ers will start the year on the road.

Kyle’s update, 3:03 p.m. PT: We’re under two hours away from teams releasing the full schedule. Many of the games have leaked. Some teams, like the Giants, already have their full schedule. According to an account that’s been leaking the schedule for the past couple of days, the 49ers will travel to Indianapolis in Week 16 on Monday Night Football.

That would be the fourth primetime game.

Kyle’s update, 12:24 p.m. PT: According to somebody who has covered the Seahawks for over 18 years, the 49ers will play in Seattle to begin the season and then host the Seahawks in the regular-season finale.

Kyle’s update, 12:13 p.m. PT: A pair of folks who are Falcons-centric have mentioned Atlanta has a primetime game against the 49ers. Zach Klein of WSB said it’ll be a Sunday Night game. Maria Martin of NBC of Atlanta confirmed Klein’s tweet.

Kyle’s update, 11:35 a.m. PT: We have another primetime game that has leaked. This one was first reported by Travis Hancock and confirmed by Joe Person of The Athletic. The 49ers are set to host the Carolina Panthers on November 24, a Monday night. That’s generally Week 12.

Kyle’s update, 10:50 a.m. PT: According to OzzyNFL on Twitter, the 49ers are traveling to SoFi Stadium to play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in October. The final matchup is rumored to occur in Week 10 at Levi’s Stadium at 1:25 p.m. PT.

In 2024, the 49ers and Rams played each other three months apart. The first matchup took place on September 22, while the final matchup wasn’t until December 1, which was Week 15.

Getting the toughest divisional opponent out of the way before the second half of the season is a big deal for multiple reasons. Late in the season, when the games are “must-win,” the last thing you want to do is go against a team familiar with your tendencies.

Kyle’s update, 9:45 a.m. PT: According to a Giants user, the 49ers are headed to the Big Apple in Week 9:

Art Stapleton, who covers New York and is followed by several national reporters, confirmed the Giants’ schedule.

Kyle’s update, 8:36 a.m PT: Over the years, you run into accounts that happened to be plugged with sources. This Twitter user is somebody I’ve gotten to know over the previous decade and knows all things related to the Jacksonville Jaguars. I trust him. He says the Niners are playing the Jaguars in Week 4.

If the rumor is true, it would mark the first time since 2011 that the 49ers have played the Seahawks in Week 1. In that game, the 49ers beat Seattle 33-17 at home.

San Francisco hasn’t played a NFC West opponent to kick off the season since 2020, when they lost 24-20 to the Arizona Cardinals at home.

While the 49ers have dominated the season series recently, beating Seattle in five of their last six outings, the Seahawks got the last laugh in 2024 when they edged past San Francisco in a 20-17 victory thanks to a game-winning touchdown from Geno Smith.

Both teams look significantly different than their 2024 selves, however.

Seattle revamped its offense by trading quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf while cutting fellow wideout Tyler Lockett. In return, they added quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Cooper Kupp on three-year deals while drafting tight end Elijah Arroyo and offensive lineman Grey Zabel.

On the other hand, San Francisco saw several players walk in free agency, get released, or be traded. Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, and Talanoa Hufanga are all elsewhere in 2025.

The 49ers made few significant moves, instead relying on the 2025 NFL Draft and their younger players to fill in the gaps left behind.

The Seahawks have lost each of their last three home games to the 49ers, when Geno Smith was at quarterback, and will look to reverse that streak if they do indeed face San Francisco in Week 1.

San Francisco, on the other hand, has seen recent success in Week 1, going 3-1 in their last four outings, with three of those games being on the road. If they face off against the Seahawks, there will be quite a bit at stake.

Not only did the 49ers struggle in a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2024, but they also fared poorly in their divisional games, going below .500 for the first time since 2021. So, not only will they look to get back on track with their new-look team in Week 1, but they could have some added stakes if they do indeed face a divisional opponent to kick off the year.

The full schedule will officially be revealed at 5:00 p.m. PT Until then, we’re left speculating with the rumors at hand, and Mahler’s is the first one reported by a major source.