The 49ers are staring down an offseason full of questions at wide receiver-and they’ll need some answers fast if they want to keep their offense humming in 2026.
Brandon Aiyuk’s future in San Francisco is cloudy at best, with reports pointing toward a potential trade or release this spring. Ricky Pearsall, a promising second-year talent, was limited to just nine games this season thanks to a nagging knee injury that never quite let him hit his stride. And with both Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne heading into unrestricted free agency, the Niners are suddenly thin at a position that’s been a strength in recent years.
So, what’s the move? Draft?
Free agency? Trade?
If you ask 49ers legend Jerry Rice, the answer starts with one specific type of wideout: speed.
“We got to have a burner,” Rice said during an interview at Super Bowl Radio Row. “We got to have someone that can take that layer off the top, because you become predictable, and defensive coordinators, they get a feel for you.”
Rice isn’t just talking about stretching the field for highlight-reel plays-he’s talking about keeping defenses honest. When teams know you’re not a threat deep, they start sitting on routes, clogging the middle of the field, and daring you to beat them over the top. That’s a problem, especially for a 49ers offense that thrives on timing, space, and yards after the catch.
“Back in the day, Bill Walsh said, ‘Even if we don’t make the connection, we’re still going to throw it deep,’” Rice recalled. “Just to let the defense know we’re not afraid. I think we need to start doing more of that.”
It’s a fair point. For all the talent the Niners have on offense-Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel-what they don’t have right now is that true vertical threat who forces safeties to backpedal and corners to second-guess their press coverage. That kind of presence can open up everything else in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
Now, some fans are dreaming big-like Justin Jefferson big. The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year is a game-changer, no doubt.
But he’s not exactly the kind of burner Rice is describing. Jefferson wins with precision, physicality, and elite route running, not just pure speed.
That’s not to say he wouldn’t be a massive addition-he absolutely would-but if the goal is to add a vertical threat, the Niners might need to look elsewhere or, better yet, double down.
Why not both?
There’s no rule that says you can’t chase a superstar and still target a speedster in the draft or on the open market. The 49ers have built their roster with a mix of homegrown talent and savvy acquisitions, and this offseason should be no different.
Bottom line: San Francisco has options. But if they want to keep defenses guessing-and keep the offense evolving-they’ll need to add some serious speed to the mix.
Because as Rice made clear, it’s not just about big plays. It’s about keeping the defense on its heels, every single snap.