The San Francisco 49ers watched a wave of key contributors walk out the door last offseason, and the impact was felt across the league. From the trenches to the secondary, several former Niners found new homes-and big paydays-in free agency.
Aaron Banks landed a four-year, $77 million deal with the Packers, while cornerback Charvarius Ward inked a three-year, $54 million contract with the Colts. Javon Hargrave became a cornerstone on the Vikings' defensive front with a two-year, $30 million agreement. Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw both joined the Denver Broncos-who are headed to the Super Bowl-on three-year deals worth $39 million and $31.5 million, respectively.
Edge rusher Leonard Floyd signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Falcons, and Maliek Collins turned into one of the offseason’s biggest bargains for the Browns at two years and $20 million. Even swing tackle Jaylon Moore cashed in, getting two years and $30 million from the Chiefs.
That’s a lot of talent heading out the door. Meanwhile, San Francisco’s biggest free-agent addition was tight end Luke Farrell, who signed a modest three-year, $15.75 million deal.
Fast forward to this offseason, and while the list of pending free agents isn’t quite as daunting, there are still some notable names to watch. Let’s break down the top players the Niners could lose-and what that might mean moving forward.
Jauan Jennings - WR
Jennings is coming off the two most productive years of his career, and it couldn’t have been better timed. After a solid but unspectacular start-78 catches, 963 yards, and seven touchdowns over his first three seasons-Jennings broke out in 2024. He hauled in 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns, emerging as a reliable target in the middle of the field.
In 2025, despite dealing with injuries, he still managed 55 catches for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. That kind of red-zone production doesn’t go unnoticed. Jennings has earned a significant raise after making $23.75 million over his first six seasons, and there will be no shortage of suitors looking for a physical, sure-handed wideout who thrives in contested catch situations.
The 49ers would love to keep him, but with cap space always a puzzle in San Francisco, it won’t be easy.
Spencer Burford - OL
Burford’s time with the 49ers has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He started strong, locking down the right guard spot with 29 starts in his first 30 games.
But in 2024, he lost his starting job and spent the year as a backup. This past season, injuries along the line gave him another shot-this time at left guard-and he stepped in when needed.
His versatility and starting experience at both guard spots could make him an appealing option for teams looking to shore up their interior line. Offensive linemen are always in demand, and while Burford may not be a star, he’s a serviceable, experienced lineman who could get a decent offer in free agency. Whether the 49ers see him as part of their future or move on is still up in the air.
Yetur Gross-Matos - EDGE
Gross-Matos was brought in on a two-year, $18 million deal, but the return on investment just wasn’t there. Injuries limited him to 19 games over two seasons, and even when healthy, he didn’t make much of an impact. For a team that relies heavily on its defensive line to set the tone, Gross-Matos simply didn’t deliver.
That said, he’s still just 28 and could be a bounce-back candidate on a short-term deal elsewhere. But in terms of his time with the 49ers, it’s hard to see him as anything other than a miss in free agency.
Eddy Piñeiro - K
Outside of Jennings, Piñeiro might be the most critical free agent for San Francisco to retain. He was lights out this past season, converting 28 of 29 field goal attempts-a 96.3% success rate. That kind of consistency is gold in today’s NFL.
He’s now a career 89.7% kicker, and head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear the team wants him back. The question is, at what cost?
With kicking stability being a premium, Piñeiro will likely draw plenty of interest on the open market. If the 49ers want to keep him, they may have to pay up.
Jake Tonges - TE
Tonges is a restricted free agent, so the 49ers have a clear path to bringing him back. The bigger question is whether he’s part of the long-term plan. While he didn’t offer much as a run-blocker, he showed some flashes in the passing game and will be just 27 next season.
At worst, he’s depth in a tight end room that could use a boost-especially behind Luke Farrell, who didn’t exactly light it up as the TE2. A multi-year extension for Tonges wouldn’t be surprising, especially if the team sees developmental upside.
Final Word
The 49ers won’t face the same kind of free-agent exodus they did last year, but they’ve still got some important decisions to make. Jennings is due for a big payday, Piñeiro proved he's one of the league’s most reliable kickers, and Burford could be a sneaky loss if the O-line depth thins out.
San Francisco’s front office has done a solid job navigating cap constraints and roster turnover in recent years. But with a few key contributors potentially on the move, this offseason will be another test of their ability to reload without losing the edge that’s kept them in the NFC elite.