The San Francisco 49ers head into the offseason with more questions than answers after a stunning 41-6 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. For a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations-and a roster built to contend-this kind of blowout doesn’t just sting. It forces you to look in the mirror.
Quarterback Brock Purdy, despite the lopsided defeat, remains confident in the group. “I believe we have the right guys,” Purdy said.
“Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. But I really do think with some guys getting healthy and what we stand for and how we always bounce back...
I think once we’re 100 percent and feel good about ourselves and learn, we’ll be just fine.”
That’s the kind of leadership you want from your quarterback. But belief alone won’t fix what went wrong.
If San Francisco wants to end a Super Bowl drought that stretches back to 1994, it’s going to take more than optimism. It’s going to take action-and likely some tough decisions.
Kyle Shanahan’s Crossroads
Kyle Shanahan has been at the helm since 2017, and in that time, he’s built a consistent contender. But consistency without championships only goes so far in a league that measures success in rings. His record-82 wins, 67 losses, two Super Bowl appearances (2019 and 2023), and two NFC Championship losses (2021 and 2022)-tells the story of a team that’s always in the mix but never quite finishes the job.
That’s not a knock on Shanahan’s coaching acumen-he’s widely respected for a reason-but at some point, the 49ers need to figure out what’s keeping them from getting over the hump. This offseason might be the moment to reassess the formula.
The McCaffrey Conundrum
One of the clearest signs that something’s off? Christian McCaffrey led the team in both rushing (1,202 yards) and receiving (924 yards).
Let that sink in. As dynamic as McCaffrey is-and he’s every bit the all-purpose weapon you’d want-that kind of workload isn’t sustainable.
He’s already carrying the offense on his back, and it’s not hard to imagine the toll that takes over a full season.
The fact that wide receiver Jauan Jennings trailed McCaffrey in receiving yards by nearly 300 (643 total) underscores the need for more firepower on the outside. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have both flashed elite potential in the past, but the production this season didn’t match the moment.
Whether it’s scheme, health, or execution, something needs to shift to give Purdy more reliable options downfield-and to take some of the burden off No. 23.
Defensive Front Needs Bite
Defensively, the 49ers have long been known for their front-seven dominance, but this year, the pass rush didn’t bring the same heat. San Francisco ranked 25th in passing defense, giving up 232.4 yards per game through the air. That’s not the kind of stat you want to see from a team with championship ambitions.
In the loss to Seattle, the 49ers’ top two sack leaders-Clelin Ferrell and Bryce Huff-were held without a sack and combined for just three tackles. That’s not going to cut it against elite quarterbacks in January. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or internal development, the Niners need a pass rusher who can consistently collapse the pocket and change games.
What Comes Next?
This isn’t a teardown situation. The 49ers are still one of the most talented teams in the league, with a strong core and a coach who knows how to scheme with the best of them. But after another season that ended short of the ultimate goal-and in such a jarring fashion-standing pat isn’t an option.
The road back to the Super Bowl will require honest evaluation, smart roster moves, and a willingness to adapt. Because belief is a great starting point. But if the 49ers want to finally raise that sixth Lombardi Trophy, they’ll need more than belief-they’ll need answers.