49ers schedule tracker: The Niners are rumored to head to the Big Apple in Week 9

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

The NFL is revealing the 2025 schedule for all 32 teams on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. P.T., but there are always leaks ahead of time that creates a nice 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, marking the fourth time in five years that the 49ers will start the year on the road.

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

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

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, when they 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.

San Francisco, on the other hand, 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 didn’t make many 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. P.T. Until then, we’re left speculating with the rumors at hand, and Mahler’s is the first one reported by a major source.