The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 season came to a crashing halt Saturday night in the Divisional Round, courtesy of a 41-6 dismantling at the hands of the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks. It wasn’t just a loss-it was a statement game from Seattle, and unfortunately for the Niners, they were on the wrong end of it. Every phase of the game tilted heavily in the Seahawks’ favor, and by the time the final whistle blew, the 49ers were left with more questions than answers.
Now, with the season officially in the rearview mirror, San Francisco turns its attention to what could be a pivotal offseason. The roster is headed for significant turnover, with more than 25 players set to enter some form of free agency. That’s a big number, and it’s a signal that this team could look very different when it takes the field in 2026.
Let’s take a closer look at five players who are unlikely to be part of the 49ers’ plans moving forward.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR
Let’s start with the most obvious name-Brandon Aiyuk. At this point, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he suits up in red and gold again.
Aiyuk was riding high coming into 2024, fresh off a second-team All-Pro nod in 2023 after posting 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. That performance earned him a four-year, $120 million extension, with $76 million guaranteed-a clear sign that the 49ers believed he was a cornerstone piece.
But then came the injury. Just seven games into the 2024 season, Aiyuk tore both his ACL and MCL, a devastating blow that kept him sidelined for the rest of the year.
There was initial optimism about a potential return midway through 2025, but that never materialized. Reports emerged that Aiyuk had stopped showing up at the facility and cut off communication with the team.
That led the 49ers to void the remaining guaranteed money in his deal-a major move that all but sealed his exit.
Aiyuk will be back on the field somewhere in 2026. But it won’t be in San Francisco.
Spencer Burford, OL
Spencer Burford’s time with the 49ers appears to be nearing its end as well.
A fourth-round pick in 2022, Burford started 32 games over his first two seasons and looked like a promising piece on the offensive line. But by Year 3, he had lost his starting job and entered the 2025 season as a backup. Injuries to Ben Bartch and struggles from Connor Colby gave him another shot in the lineup, but Burford didn’t exactly make the most of it.
He finished the year with a 58.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus-a number that reflects his up-and-down performance. For a team that needs to protect its quarterback better and reestablish dominance in the trenches, it’s time to look elsewhere for depth and upside.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB
Brian Robinson Jr. brought toughness and experience to the 49ers’ backfield, but his future in San Francisco is far from certain.
After serving as the lead back for three seasons in Washington, Robinson was traded to the 49ers, where he took on a backup role behind Christian McCaffrey. While touches were limited at times, Robinson still made his presence felt. He rushed for 400 yards and two touchdowns and added 378 yards as a kick returner, averaging an impressive 29.1 yards per return.
From a production standpoint, he proved he can still contribute. But the question is whether he wants to continue doing so in a limited role.
At 26 years old, Robinson may be looking for a team where he can compete for a starting job again. And given the cost difference between him and younger options like Isaac Guerendo, the 49ers may not be willing to match what Robinson could command elsewhere.
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE
When the 49ers signed Yetur Gross-Matos ahead of the 2024 season, the move made a lot of sense on paper. The former second-round pick had 32 career starts with the Panthers and was brought in to provide depth behind Nick Bosa.
But availability and consistency have been major issues. Gross-Matos has missed 15 games over the past two seasons, and even when he’s been on the field, the impact hasn’t been consistent. There have been flashes-moments where he looked like the player many expected him to become-but they’ve been too few and far between.
Given the cost of veteran depth and the reliability concerns, the 49ers would be better served targeting a younger, cheaper option in the draft. At this point, it’s hard to justify bringing Gross-Matos back for another run.
Jason Pinnock, S
Jason Pinnock came to San Francisco on a budget-friendly deal-just $2.2 million for a versatile defensive back with 46 career starts. On paper, it looked like a smart value signing.
But the low price tag ended up reflecting the reality of his play. Pinnock struggled early in the season and was benched after five weeks in favor of Ji’Ayir Brown. While his ability to play both safety and corner is valuable, he rarely saw the field down the stretch unless injuries forced the issue.
His Pro Football Focus grade-a 49.2-ranked 90th out of 98 eligible safeties. That tells the story.
The 49ers need more reliability and impact from their depth pieces, and Pinnock just didn’t deliver. Like with Gross-Matos, a late-round rookie might offer more upside at a lower cost.
Looking Ahead
The 49ers are entering an offseason filled with decisions-some tough, some inevitable. After a disappointing end to a once-promising campaign, the front office will need to retool the roster with a sharper focus on durability, depth, and long-term potential.
The names above represent players who, for a variety of reasons, likely won’t be part of that next chapter. Whether it’s contract issues, performance concerns, or simply the natural churn of NFL rosters, change is coming in San Francisco.
And if the 49ers want to get back to contending in 2026, it’s change they’ll need to embrace.