The 49ers still have a few questions to answer on offense.
The offseason shenanigans are over for the San Francisco 49ers, who managed to extend three stars to long-term extensions: quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and linebacker Fred Warner.
Now, it’s all about business with mandatory minicamp around the corner this week, which will be the last update before a 40-day break prior to training camp.
The 49ers have much of their team set as they look to cut down to 53 players, but there are still a few questions on both sides of the ball as the team looks to get past a disappointing 6-11 2024 campaign.
Looking on the offensive side of the ball, what is the team’s biggest concern heading into 2025? Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder believes it comes at receiver position, where the 49ers lost Deebo Samuel and will likely be without Brandon Aiyuk to start the year.
“The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel this offseason as his production declined while entering a contract year,” Holder wrote. “However, the offense’s receiving corps now leaves something to desired, especially since Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t present at OTAs, increasing second-year pro Ricky Pearsall’s importance to the team.
“Aiyuk’s status remains in question for the early stages of the season,” NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco wrote. “Aiyuk is working out as he returns from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee…[Brock] Purdy will look to build chemistry and a connection with Pearsall, whom the 49ers envision as a player who can generate consistent separation against man coverage
“…Pearsall finished the season strong with 14 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17 and 18 games against Detroit and Arizona. The 49ers’ offense needs Pearsall to carry that momentum over to his second season as a pro.”
It’s a fair argument that the 49ers still have questions at wide receiver. A lot is hinging on development, as San Francisco won’t want to rush Aiyuk back on the field.
San Francisco did sign DeMarcus Robinson on a one-year deal this offseason, but even he is expected to miss the first three weeks of the season due to a potential suspension stemming from a DUI arrest last year.
So, if Robinson isn’t available either for Week 1, the 49ers’ projected receiver core is: Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, Isaiah Hodgins, Isaiah Neyor, Junior Bergen, Malik Knowles, and Terique Owens.
That group will get significantly slashed by the 53-man cut-down deadline, but there isn’t much there in terms of proven production. Jennings will step into the top role and may be forced to play on the outside to allow for Cowing to jump into the mix in the slot.
Cowing and Watkins have both earned strong reviews from coaches and teammates, but will need to be able to show up on gameday.
Ultimately, though, this group is going to be dependent on Pearsall. The potential was there last season, as the first-rounder started the year hot and ended on a tear, showing what he could do in a secondary role both in the slot and on the outside.
But, health is his biggest concern. Pearsall dealt with several injury issues before a shooting that sidelined him to begin the season. And he’ll be out until training camp with hamstring issues that acted up during organized team activities (OTAs) late last month.
The 49ers need him to be available to bolster their receiver corps, both before and after Aiyuk returns to the fold.
Apart from that, the development of Cowing and Watkins will be crucial for depth, as San Francisco is going the younger route across the board in 2025.