The 49ers are being downgraded for the players they lost and their lack of acquisitions in free agency
The San Francisco 49ers have been widely praised for handling their offseason extensions and avoiding unnecessary drama. Although they lost several starters, those players were viewed as injury-prone or liabilities.
There has also been some pushback that some of the celebrating has been premature. Some of the arguments are fair, but it’s understandable why there’s optimism around the Niners.
According to Pro Football Network, the Niners’ offseason was closer to a failure than a success:
San Francisco 49ers
Offseason Grade: D
Notable Additions: WR Demarcus Robinson, QB Mac Jones, TE Luke Farrell, CB Tre Brown, S Jason Pinnock, EDGE Mykel Williams, LB Nick Martin, DT C.J. West, DT Alfred Collins, WR Jordan Watkins, RB Jordan James
Notable Departures: WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (trade), RB Jordan Mason (trade), OT Jaylon Moore, G Aaron Banks, S Talanoa Hufanga, CB Charvarius Ward, LB Dre Greenlaw, DT Javon Hargrave, DT Maliek Collins, DE Leonard Floyd
The highlight of the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason is the long-awaited Brock Purdy contract extension. John Lynch and the front office awarded 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant with a new five-year, $265 million deal.
Locking up their quarterback long term was one of the few bright spots for San Francisco. The front office allowed a lot of veteran talent to leave through free agency and trades, including Deebo Samuel Sr., Charvarius Ward, and Dre Greenlaw. With so many holes to fill, the Niners didn’t come away from free agency with nearly enough, Tre Brown and Demarcus Robinson being the highlights.
The 49ers’ 2025 draft class had its highs and lows. Mykel Williams was a polarizing prospect as he possesses elite physical traits, but his college production didn’t match. C.J. West and Alfred Collins could help fill the void left by Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave, but they’ll have their work cut out to improve a defense that ranked 28th in EPA per rush and 25th in run defense success rate.
San Francisco did bring back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator, which could be a positive. Unfortunately, he won’t have the same level of talent across the board as when he was last there.
The Niners made it clear that their plan to improve this offseason was not by way of free agency. I’d argue their biggest “mistake” was not replacing Charvarius Ward, but good luck upgrading from an All-Pro caliber player at a premium position. San Francisco has high hopes for Renardo Green to take the jump in Year 2.
Kris Kocurek will earn his paycheck this year based on how many rookies he’ll have to coach up and get ready to play right away. Williams playing on a healthy ankle should go a long way. So should playing a position that allows him to be aggressive, as well as playing opposite Nick Bosa.
How would you grade the 49ers offseason?