The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 season will be remembered for two things: a brutal run of injuries and a failure to solve the Seattle Seahawks when it mattered most.
Yes, the injury bug bit hard - key players missed significant time - but the truth is, if the Niners had managed to take even one of those late-season matchups against Seattle, we might be talking about a different January right now. Instead of prepping for the NFC Championship, the 49ers are staring down a pivotal offseason, one that could define their trajectory in 2026 and beyond.
Seattle’s become a serious thorn in Kyle Shanahan’s side - a tough, physical matchup that exposed some real weaknesses in San Francisco’s roster. But that’s not an unsolvable problem.
There are clear areas the 49ers can address over the next few months to close the gap and reassert themselves as true NFC contenders. Let’s break down three of the most important.
1. Inject Speed Into the Offense
San Francisco’s offense has never lacked talent, but speed? That’s another story.
It’s tough to fully evaluate the unit’s performance against Seattle last year, given how banged up it was in all three meetings. But even when healthy, this group isn’t exactly built to stretch defenses vertically.
Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle are elite in space - elusive, shifty, and hard to bring down - but they aren’t burners. Jauan Jennings, who’s set to hit free agency, is more of a physical possession guy.
Rookie Ricky Pearsall has some juice, but not the kind of game-breaking speed that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
If the 49ers want to open things up, they need someone who can take the top off a defense. There are internal candidates - Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing come to mind - but whether it’s through the draft or free agency, adding a true vertical threat should be a priority. It’s not just about big plays; it’s about spacing, forcing safeties to stay honest, and creating more room underneath for McCaffrey, Kittle, and Deebo Samuel to work.
2. Rebuild the Pass Rush and Defensive Line Depth
This isn’t just a Seahawks problem - it’s a 49ers problem. The pass rush flatlined in 2025.
San Francisco finished dead last in the league with just 20 sacks. None of their defensive linemen cracked the top 30 in pass rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s a staggering drop-off for a franchise that has made the D-line a cornerstone of its identity since Shanahan and GM John Lynch took over in 2017.
Nick Bosa’s extended absence obviously hurt, but even before the injury, there were warning signs. The depth just wasn’t there. And once Bosa was out, the lack of reinforcements became painfully obvious.
Seattle, to their credit, has done a solid job upgrading their offensive line. And when Sam Darnold has time, he can pick a defense apart - especially one that can’t generate pressure. Add in a Seahawks run game that found consistent success, and it’s no wonder San Francisco struggled to get off the field.
If the 49ers want to return to being a dominant defensive team, it starts up front. They need to reload the pass rush, both with high-end talent and rotational depth.
Because another year like 2025, where quarterbacks can sit back and survey the field without so much as a hurry? That’s not going to cut it.
3. Lighten McCaffrey’s Load
Let’s be clear: Christian McCaffrey was phenomenal in 2025. He nearly pulled off a second 1,000-yard rushing and 1,000-yard receiving season - a feat that would’ve put him in even more elite company - and was often the heartbeat of the offense. He should be a lock for Comeback Player of the Year and might even snag a few MVP votes.
But the workload? That’s a concern.
McCaffrey logged 311 carries last season. His backup, Brian Robinson, had just 92. That’s a huge gap, and while Shanahan seemed to trust Robinson more than any other No. 2 back since McCaffrey arrived from Carolina, it still wasn’t enough to take meaningful pressure off his star.
The 49ers aren’t going to find another McCaffrey - players like that don’t grow on trees. But they need to find someone they do trust to handle a bigger share of the load.
Whether that’s Robinson taking a step forward or a new addition stepping in, it’s vital for the long haul. Especially when you consider how physical Seattle’s defense has become under Mike Macdonald - those divisional matchups are a grind, and keeping McCaffrey fresh for the stretch run has to be part of the plan.
Looking Ahead
The 49ers are still a team with a championship-caliber core. But after a season derailed by injuries and late-season heartbreak, they’ve got work to do. The Seahawks exposed some real flaws - lack of speed, a faltering pass rush, and an over-reliance on one superstar - and now it’s on Shanahan, Lynch, and the front office to respond.
If they can hit on these key areas this offseason, there’s no reason San Francisco can’t be right back in the NFC title conversation next January. But if they don’t? Seattle might not be the only team standing in their way.