The San Francisco 49ers face a number of questions this offseason.
There’s key free agents that San Francisco needs to make decisions on retaining or letting walk. The 49ers are also looking to ink a long-term deal with quarterback Brock Purdy to make him the franchise signal-caller of the future.
Meanwhile, one of San Francisco’s key cogs over its success of late, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, has reportedly requested a trade.
All of those topics will take center stage during the 49ers’ offseason. ESPN shared its thoughts on an under-the-radar offseason priority.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner tapped improving special teams as the 49ers’ top under-the-radar offseason objective.
Improve on special teams. Under coach Kyle Shanahan, the Niners haven’t cared much about the third phase, but that has come back to bite them in some big moments (see: Super Bowl LVIII) and was particularly costly during the 2024 season when they finished last in the NFL in expected points added via special teams. The 49ers fired coordinator Brian Schneider and they could take a closer inspection at kicker. – Nick Wagoner, ESPN.
Shanahan and the 49ers moving on from Brian Schneider could be an indication that the franchise is ready to take special teams more seriously.
As Wagoner noted, San Francisco’s -1.3 expected points per game on special teams ranked dead last in the NFL.
The 49ers are turning to former New York Jets special teams coordinator, Brant Boyer. Boyer, 53, served as the Jets’ special teams coordinator from 2016-24.
During that stint in New York, Boyer’s Jets specialisits ranked tied-for-second in total touchdowns (nine), second in blocked punts (eight) and tied-for-fifth in special teams points scored (63) and opponent kickoff return average (21.8).
Prior to joining the Jets in 2016, Boyer was an assistant special teams coach for four years with the Indianapolis Colts from 2012-15.
Boyer entered the NFL in 1994 as a sixth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins. He played for 10 seasons with the Dolphins, Jaguars and Browns. In 130 games he racked up 323 tackles, 13.0 sacks and six interceptions. He interned for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants before getting his first coaching job with the Colts.
Boyer will be tasked with reorganizing a unit that became known for failing in several key moments in the game’s third phase. A blocked punt in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings helped lead to an eventual 23-17 loss. Then, a fake punt for a first down and a big punt return played a part in the Los Angeles Rams‘ 27-24 Week 3 win over the 49ers.
The change in leadership feels like a sorely needed move by the franchise. San Francisco will also need to either reevaluate or monitor its field goal kicking situation very closely beginning next season.
Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, Michigan alum Jake Moody struggled mightily in 2024. Moody made just 24-of-34 field goal tries and only 10-of-20 on kicks longer than 40 yards.