The 49ers enter 2026 with a sense that this season can still be a good one, even if the long view brings more uncertainty. The wide receiver group is brand new, which could mean a slow opening stretch, and Christian McCaffrey is fresh off a massive 2025 campaign even though his injury history raises obvious concerns for 2026.
Still, the biggest question hanging over San Francisco, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, is the pass rush. And even with Nick Bosa set to return, Wagoner isn’t convinced the 49ers will have a truly dangerous edge.
"Biggest concern: The pass rush," Wagoner writes. "In 2025, San Francisco finished last in the NFL in sacks (20). It brought in defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, but it's still fair to wonder if the 49ers have enough on the edge with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams coming off ACL injuries and rookie Romello Height replacing Bryce Huff."
Bosa’s return matters, and Williams coming back to the edge group gives San Francisco more to work with. Odighizuwa also looks like a meaningful addition in the middle of the line.
But the concerns don’t go away just because the names are better. The 49ers’ pass rush may not be dramatically different from last season’s version, even if it avoids another disaster.
Twenty sacks was a brutal total for San Francisco, and the bar for improvement is low. Myles Garrett, now with the Los Angeles Rams, had 23 sacks by himself last season.
The 2026 options are more promising than they were for much of 2025, but every piece still comes with a question. Can Odighizuwa adjust quickly in a new system?
Will Bosa and Williams look like themselves after serious injuries? Is Height ready to make an impact right away as a rookie?
There is upside here, no question. But the uncertainty across both the edge and the interior is enough to make this a real problem for the 49ers. Bosa’s return alone might not be enough to lift the pass rush from a weakness to a strength.
In Other News...
Grant Cohn Is Somehow Becoming Part Of The 49ers Opener Story
The 49ers trip to Australia for their international opener against the Rams has produced the usual flood of game-week content, but one familiar Bay Area voice has become part of the conversation for a different reason. Grant Cohn, the veteran reporter known for his sharp criticism of San Francisco, has drawn attention overseas not for a practice note or matchup breakdown, but for the way he has documented the experience around the game.
His social media posts about local food and cultural stops have caught on with audiences well beyond the standard football crowd, turning a routine road assignment into something of a sideshow. Cohn has long been a polarizing figure around the 49ers because of his public clashes with players and the confrontational style he often brings to his coverage, and now even that reputation is being folded into a story that started with the opener itself. [Read more 🡒]
Deebo Samuels New Role Puts 49ers Rookie In Week 1 Spotlight
DeZhaun Stribling has quietly climbed into a meaningful spot on the 49ers preseason depth chart, and the timing could not be better for a team sorting through injuries and shifting roles at receiver before Week 1 against the Rams. The rookie has moved up enough to be considered for a significant offensive role, and the latest chart points to him lining up as a starting wideout alongside Mike Evans.
Deebo Samuels designation as the primary kick returner adds another layer to the picture, hinting at a reduced load on offense and opening the door for Stribling to see real early-season snaps. For a San Francisco passing game already adjusting on the fly, the rookies next chance may come right away, and it will be worth watching how quickly the staff leans into that opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
49ers First Injury Report Raises An Early Lineup Concern
The first injury report of the season gave the 49ers an immediate dose of reality, with several familiar names showing up before the week has even really settled in. Nick Bosa and George Kittle were both listed, and the report also brought a new concern on the defensive side when rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins appeared for the first time with a knee injury. It is the kind of early-week update that can quickly shape how a staff approaches practice, especially when core pieces are already under the microscope.
For now, the encouraging part is who was not there. Christian McCaffrey was absent from the report, and Mike Evans also did not appear, which helps keep at least some of the focus on the players who are actually dealing with issues. Still, Collins new injury designation stands out as the one to monitor, because even in September, the 49ers know how quickly a depth concern can become a bigger storyline if it lingers. [Read more 🡒]