49ers Face Pivotal Offseason After Gritty, Injury-Riddled 2025 Campaign
The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 season came to a screeching halt in the Divisional Round with a lopsided 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. It was a brutal ending, no doubt - especially against a division rival - but the bigger picture tells a story of resilience, depth, and a team that refused to fold despite being absolutely decimated by injuries.
Let’s be clear: just making the playoffs was a feat in itself. San Francisco didn’t limp into the postseason - they clawed their way in with a 12-5 record, all while missing star after star on both sides of the ball.
The Niners were one win away from locking up the NFC West and the conference’s top seed before falling to Seattle in a winner-take-all Week 18 showdown. That they even got to that point is worth acknowledging.
A Season Derailed by Injuries
The injury list reads like a Pro Bowl roster. Nick Bosa, the heart of the defense, tore his ACL in Week 3.
Fred Warner, the team’s emotional leader and tackling machine, suffered a broken and dislocated ankle in Week 6. That’s two All-Pro defenders gone before the midpoint of the season.
On offense, Brock Purdy missed eight games - a massive blow at the quarterback position. Rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall also missed eight, and George Kittle was sidelined for six before rupturing his Achilles in the Wild Card round against the Eagles. That’s not just depth being tested - that’s your core being ripped out.
And then there’s Brandon Aiyuk. The explosive wideout didn’t play a single snap all season and is unlikely to return to the team. That’s a major piece of the offense gone before the season even began.
Yet somehow, despite all that, the 49ers still found ways to win. That speaks to coaching, roster construction, and a locker room that didn’t quit.
Eyes on 2026: Cap Space and Tough Decisions
Now, with the season in the rearview, the front office - led by GM John Lynch - turns its full attention to what’s shaping up to be a critical offseason. The 49ers have a long list of pending free agents, and while they’re in a decent spot financially (projected to have the 11th-most cap space at over $37 million), tough choices are coming.
That number could grow with contract restructures and potential roster cuts, giving the team flexibility to either re-sign key contributors or dip into the free-agent market when the new league year kicks off on March 11.
Key Free Agents to Watch
Several players who played meaningful snaps - or were expected to - are set to hit the open market. Here’s a breakdown of the free agency landscape:
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA)
- Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore (WRs): With Aiyuk likely gone and Pearsall still developing, wide receiver depth is a major question mark.
Jennings and Bourne, in particular, have been reliable chain-movers and locker room guys.
- Ben Bartch, Spencer Burford, Matt Hennessy (OL): The offensive line saw plenty of rotation due to injuries.
Burford has starting experience, and Bartch provided valuable depth.
- Jordan Elliott, Yetur Gross-Matos, Kevin Givens, Clelin Ferrell (DL/EDGE): With Bosa recovering and the pass rush needing reinforcements, decisions here will be telling.
Gross-Matos and Elliott played key roles in the rotation.
- Thomas Morstead (P), Eddy Pineiro (K): Special teams often flies under the radar, but both specialists were steady in 2025.
- Brian Robinson Jr., Patrick Taylor (RBs): Depth behind Christian McCaffrey is always important, especially with the physical toll this offense takes.
- Jason Pinnock (S), Luke Gifford, Curtis Robinson, Garret Wallow (LBs): Depth and special teams contributions make these players worth monitoring.
Restricted Free Agents (RFA)
- Sam Okuayinonu, Jake Tonges, Robert Beal Jr., Chase Lucas, Tarron Jackson, Kalia Davis: These are younger players who could be retained with tenders. Okuayinonu and Beal offer intriguing upside on the edge, while Davis flashed in limited reps on the interior.
Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA)
- Austen Pleasants (OL): As an ERFA, Pleasants can be retained at a low cost if the team chooses.
The Road Ahead
The 49ers are in a fascinating position. Despite the playoff exit, they proved they have the culture and infrastructure to withstand adversity. Now comes the challenge of retooling without losing that identity.
There’s cap space to work with, a strong draft class on the horizon, and a core that - when healthy - can compete with anyone in the league. But with so many free agents and health questions lingering, this offseason will test the front office’s ability to balance continuity with necessary change.
The 2025 season was a testament to the 49ers’ depth and toughness. The 2026 offseason? That’s about setting the table for another run - hopefully with a full deck this time.