The 2026 offseason has officially landed in Santa Clara, and for the first time in the Kyle Shanahan era, the San Francisco 49ers are staring down the kind of roster reckoning that comes with years of elite contention. The window hasn’t closed - far from it - but the cost of maintaining a championship-caliber roster is finally coming due. And now, with the new league year fast approaching, general manager John Lynch is facing the toughest question of his tenure: How do you keep Brock Purdy playing like a $265 million quarterback when the supporting cast around him is either aging, injured, or walking out the door?
Let’s break down where the Niners stand - and where they go from here.
Wide Receiver Woes: From Concern to Crisis
The most immediate issue is the wide receiver room, which has gone from a mild concern to a full-blown emergency. This isn’t just about depth - it’s about identity. Shanahan’s offense thrives on versatility and timing, and right now, there’s more uncertainty than stability at the position.
- Brandon Aiyuk is officially out. After a season-long holdout and a breakdown in communication, the team has confirmed he won’t be returning. That’s a major blow - Aiyuk was not only Purdy’s most consistent target, but also the kind of precise route-runner who made Shanahan’s offense hum.
- Jauan Jennings, the unlikely Super Bowl hero, is now an unrestricted free agent. With a projected market value north of $22 million per year, Jennings may have priced himself out of San Francisco’s plans. He’s the kind of physical, fearless receiver who thrived in big moments - but at that price point, the Niners may have to let him walk.
- Ricky Pearsall, the 2024 first-round pick, was supposed to be the next man up. But injuries have slowed his development, and right now, the 49ers have almost no proven, healthy production at the position. That’s a problem when your quarterback is built on rhythm and trust.
Trent Williams: Still Elite, But For How Long?
The offensive line isn’t immune from questions either. Trent Williams, the anchor of the left side and a future Hall of Famer, has confirmed he’ll return for 2026.
That’s the good news. The tougher part?
He’s 38 years old and set to carry a massive $38.8 million cap hit.
The front office has a decision to make: restructure his deal to create flexibility now, or use their No. 27 overall pick to finally invest in a long-term successor. Either way, it’s a delicate balance - Williams is still playing at an elite level, but Father Time doesn’t lose.
Rebuilding the Offense’s Identity
Kyle Shanahan’s system isn’t plug-and-play - it’s built on timing, versatility, and guys who can create after the catch. Think Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey - players who can line up anywhere and create chaos in space.
But now, with Deebo currently a free agent and no guarantee he returns, Lynch and Shanahan have to decide whether to double down on their aging core or get younger and faster. There’s $39 million in cap space to work with - enough to make a splash in free agency, maybe even bring Deebo back - but not enough to patch every hole.
If they don’t land a proven WR1 in March, the pressure on the draft will be enormous. The 49ers will need immediate production from their rookie class, especially at wide receiver. That’s a tough ask, even in a deep draft.
The Bigger Picture: It’s Purdy’s Team Now
This is no longer the 49ers team that could overwhelm opponents with depth at every position. The defense still has young talent and a solid foundation, but this is now a team built around Brock Purdy. And that means the front office has to build around his strengths - quick reads, timing throws, and trust in his playmakers.
Christian McCaffrey can’t do it alone. If the Niners want to stay in the Super Bowl conversation, they need to surround Purdy with the kind of weapons that make this offense dynamic again. That starts now - not in September.
The clock is ticking in Santa Clara. The 49ers don’t need to rebuild, but they do need to retool - fast.