The 49ers entered the 2025 season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations-and for a while, they looked the part. But when the lights were brightest, the flaws they’d managed to mask all year came crashing into view.
Their playoff exit in Seattle wasn’t just a loss-it was a full-blown unraveling. Thirteen seconds into the NFC Championship Game, their shot at the Lombardi Trophy was all but gone, and by the end of the night, the gap between San Francisco and the NFC’s true heavyweights was undeniable.
Yes, the Niners split their regular-season matchups with the Seahawks and Rams. But when it mattered most-down the stretch and into the playoffs-Los Angeles and Seattle exposed them, outscoring San Francisco 96-35 over three games.
That’s not just a stumble. That’s a clear signal that this team, while talented, isn’t built to beat the league’s best when it counts.
The numbers back it up. San Francisco’s 13 wins came against teams with a combined winning percentage of .434.
The six teams that beat them? .716. They handled the teams they were supposed to beat.
But when the competition stiffened, the 49ers didn’t have enough.
Now comes the hard part: closing the gap. The roster isn’t broken, but it’s incomplete. If San Francisco wants to be more than just a good team-if they want to be a Super Bowl team-this offseason has to be about filling the holes that were exposed when it mattered most.
Here’s a breakdown of the 49ers’ biggest offseason needs heading into 2026, ranked from least to most urgent.
6. Tight End
The 49ers’ tight end room took a major hit when George Kittle went down with an Achilles injury. His status for 2026 is still up in the air, and even if he’s back, expecting him to return to All-Pro form at age 33 coming off a major injury is asking a lot.
Jake Tonges stepped up admirably. The former undrafted tight end had never caught a pass before 2025, but he turned in a handful of solid performances-four games with at least five catches and four with 50-plus yards. He’s not Kittle, but he was dependable.
Still, San Francisco can’t bank on Tonges being the long-term answer. This isn’t a top-tier need, but it’s definitely on the radar. The draft and free agency both offer intriguing options, including veterans like David Njoku and Kyle Pitts, or Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who’s already been linked to the 49ers in some mock drafts.
5. Wide Receiver
Not long ago, wide receiver was a strength in San Francisco. That’s no longer the case.
Brandon Aiyuk is gone. Jauan Jennings, while productive with nine touchdowns, is headed for free agency and hasn’t proven he can be a true No.
- Ricky Pearsall had moments, but a lingering knee issue limited him to just nine games.
Kendrick Bourne, brought in midseason, actually outproduced Pearsall despite never topping 50 yards in a single game.
The silver lining? This is a fixable problem.
The 2026 draft is deep at receiver, and the free-agent market offers names like Alec Pierce. There’s even a whisper of a possible Deebo Samuel reunion.
Whether it’s through the draft, trade, or free agency, the 49ers need to reload here.
That said, wide receiver isn’t the most difficult position to address. Compared to the trenches or the secondary, it’s easier to find contributors. But make no mistake-the room needs reinforcements.
4. Cornerback
Even when healthy, the 49ers’ cornerbacks struggled to hold up.
Deommodore Lenoir’s first full season as a starting outside corner was uneven. He allowed a 99.8 passer rating when targeted, gave up five touchdowns, and was flagged 10 times-tied for fifth-most among corners league-wide.
Renardo Green, who showed promise as a rookie, took a step back in Year 2 and was benched in the Divisional Round. Darrell Luter didn’t offer much more in extended snaps. Rookie nickel Upton Stout had some bright spots, but also endured the typical rookie growing pains.
Under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, this group needs a reset. Lenoir, Green, and Stout could all be back, but depth and competition are non-negotiable. The 49ers can’t afford to roll into 2026 with the same issues on the back end.
3. Safety / Defensive Back
The safety position was one of the defense’s biggest liabilities in 2025-and that’s saying something.
Malik Mustapha regressed in Year 2. He allowed more big plays, missed a team-high 16 tackles, and was routinely out of position, leading to explosive gains.
Ji’Ayir Brown had his moments, but consistency was lacking. Jason Pinnock and Marques Sigle were little more than placeholders.
This group was exposed even more due to injuries at linebacker, but the issues go beyond that. Morris has a track record of coaching elite safety play-just look at what he did with Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts in Atlanta. If there’s a position group due for a shakeup under the new regime, it’s this one.
2. Defensive End
Here’s where things get ugly.
The 49ers finished the season with just 20 sacks-fewer than Myles Garrett had by himself, and fewer than the Jets as a team. That’s a stat that speaks volumes.
Yes, injuries to Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams played a role. But even without their stars, other teams found ways to generate pressure. The Cowboys, for instance, still racked up 35 sacks after trading away Micah Parsons.
Bryce Huff and Clelin Ferrell combined for eight sacks. Sam Okuayinonu and Keion White showed flashes, but were clearly stretched in expanded roles.
The return of Bosa and Williams will help, but it’s not enough. San Francisco needs more juice off the edge.
A trade for Maxx Crosby would be a dream scenario. If that’s not in the cards, free agents like Trey Hendrickson or Dre’Mont Jones could offer a boost.
Bottom line: this pass rush needs reinforcements-urgently.
1. Offensive Line
This is the big one. The position group that could define the 49ers’ offseason-and their 2026 season.
Everything starts with Trent Williams. If the veteran left tackle returns for a 16th season, the 49ers can delay the inevitable for one more year. If he retires, the team has a gaping hole at one of the most critical spots on the field.
Even if Williams is back, the left guard position is a question mark. Spencer Burford is likely headed elsewhere in free agency.
Ben Bartch missed 10 games. Connor Colby got six starts and struggled in nearly all of them.
The right side is more stable with Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz, but the left side is a puzzle. Veteran stopgaps like Joel Bitonio could help in the short term, but the 49ers need to start thinking long-term.
The offensive line has been a lingering issue in San Francisco for years. In 2026, they can’t afford to kick the can down the road any longer. If they want to protect their quarterback and re-establish the run game, this is where the investment has to start.
Final Thoughts
The 49ers aren’t far off. They’ve got talent, a strong core, and a coaching staff that knows how to win. But the margin for error in the NFC is razor-thin-and right now, San Francisco is just outside that championship window.
This offseason is about closing that gap. Fix the line.
Add pass rush. Reinforce the secondary.
And yes, find help at the skill positions.
If they do that, the 49ers won’t just be back in the playoffs next year-they’ll be back in the Super Bowl conversation.