49ers Eye Defensive Shake-Up, Kubiak Stays Put, and Jennings’ Future Hangs in the Balance
As the dust settles on another deep playoff run, the San Francisco 49ers are staring down a pivotal offseason-and the early signs point to some bold moves ahead, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Overhaul on the Horizon?
One notable league analyst is predicting a significant shift in San Francisco’s approach to defense, suggesting the 49ers could be preparing for a full-scale overhaul on that side of the ball. That would be a major pivot for a team that’s long leaned on its defensive core to set the tone.
The 49ers are reportedly eyeing players like John Franklin-Myers, who has ties to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh from their days with the Jets. Franklin-Myers brings the kind of versatility and motor that fits right into the 49ers’ front-seven philosophy.
Another name floated is Trey Hendrickson, a proven pass rusher who could be a short-term solution on a one-year deal. And if San Francisco really wants to make a splash?
A big-name trade isn’t off the table-Kayvon Thibodeaux’s name has come up as a potential target, which would be a seismic move for a team already stacked with defensive talent.
The idea here is to get faster, more disruptive, and more consistent-especially after some late-season lapses that exposed cracks in the armor. If this prediction holds, the Niners could look very different defensively come Week 1.
Klay Kubiak Staying in San Francisco
While the coaching carousel continues to spin around the league, one name has officially stepped off the ride. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak has removed himself from consideration for any head coaching vacancies, despite reported interest from both the Raiders and Steelers.
According to reports, Kubiak prefers to stick with Kyle Shanahan and continue building on what they’ve developed offensively in San Francisco. That’s a significant win for the 49ers.
Kubiak’s influence on the offense-particularly in terms of quarterback development and play design-has been a steadying force. With Shanahan calling the plays, having Kubiak in the fold ensures continuity and cohesion as the offense looks to take another step forward in 2026.
Jauan Jennings’ Future Up in the Air
Then there’s the Jauan Jennings question.
The gritty wideout, known for his physicality and edge, is set to hit free agency-and it’s unclear whether the 49ers will prioritize bringing him back. Jennings doesn’t have top-end speed, but he’s a tone-setter. He blocks like a tight end, plays with an edge, and brings a certain fire to the offense that’s hard to quantify but easy to feel.
Former teammate Kendrick Bourne, who overlapped with Jennings during his breakout 2020 season, put it best: “He may be more mad or play from anger or whatever, not in a bad way, but that’s how he plays. He plays stronger.
And it’s a different mindset.” Bourne added that Jennings “deserves what he believes he deserves,” and that’s where things get tricky.
Back in the summer, the two sides weren’t close on a number. Now, with Brandon Aiyuk off the books, the 49ers have opened up nearly $85 million in cap space over the next four years. That creates flexibility-but also raises the bar for expectations at the position.
Jennings fits the mold of a Shanahan receiver in terms of toughness and blocking, but he doesn’t address the team’s growing need for speed. According to NextGen Stats, the only 49ers ballcarrier to top 20 mph this season was linebacker Dee Winters-on a pick-six, no less.
That’s a telling stat. Shanahan has acknowledged the need to get faster on offense, and Jennings, for all his strengths, doesn’t exactly stretch the field.
That opens the door for the team to look elsewhere-perhaps adding a true burner to pair with first-round pick Ricky Pearsall. Whether Jennings returns may come down to how the 49ers balance grit versus speed in their offensive identity moving forward.
What’s Next?
Between potential defensive reinforcements, coaching stability, and tough roster decisions, the 49ers are entering an offseason that could reshape their identity. They’ve got the cap space, they’ve got the front office savvy, and they’ve got a roster that’s already built to contend. But if they want to stay ahead of the curve-and ahead of the NFC-they’ll need to make the right calls in the coming months.
Stay tuned. This could be the start of a very different-looking 49ers team in 2026.