As the 49ers clear out their lockers this week following a Divisional Round exit at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks, they can reflect on a memorable season for which they deserve great credit. San Francisco showed outstanding resilience throughout the campaign to go 12-5 and claim a playoff win in a season in which its roster was continually affected by injuries. Given the level of adversity the Niners faced, it is fair to say they surpassed expectations.
Yet for a regime that is desperate to deliver a championship, there is a difficult reality to face as they look to build on an encouraging campaign.
The 49ers getting as far as they did in the postseason represents a success. However, it’s a success that came despite their roster featuring several obvious holes amid their relentless injuries. And the cold, hard truth is that those plentiful issues need to be addressed if San Francisco is to have any chance of seriously contending for the Super Bowl next season.
49er offense in need of a retool
A position of tremendous strength as recently as the 2024 campaign, the 49ers now have serious issues at wide receiver, with Brandon Aiyuk bound for the exit door and Ricky Pearsall struggling consistently with injuries. Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore all pending free agents and, while the 49ers will likely be motivated to make an effort to re-sign Jennings and special teams standout Moore, there is a clear need for more difference-makers at a position where the Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins have seen precious little playing time.
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George Kittle’s Achilles injury brings tight end into greater focus. The 2025 season was another in which the 49ers’ inability to find an effective backup tight end was laid bare — even with Jake Tonges impressing as a pass-catcher — and the possibility of Kittle missing the start of 2026 places more emphasis on San Francisco to find his potential long-term successor who can ensure the drop-off when he is not on the field is not quite so precipitous.
The interior of the offensive line is serviceable but prone to being emphatically exposed as it was in the blowout loss to Seattle. With Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch both pending free agents, an investment in the guard position is likely to be necessary. The tackle play was the strength of the O-Line but, though Trent Williams has already committed to another year, the 49ers can’t ignore the need to find his heir apparent forever.
D-Line still deficient
Defensively, the 49ers got considerable contributions from young players in 2025. Defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West produced plenty of encouraging signs that they can become integral pieces on the D-Line, but the 49ers still looked woefully short as a pass-rushing collective this season. Further additions on the interior and on the edge are sure to be high on the 49ers’ wish list.
With Upton Stout finishing his rookie year strong, the Niners have reason to feel good about their top three at cornerback, but a lack of depth that has led to Darrell Luter Jr. getting sporadic snaps remains a concern. More pressingly, the 49ers need to decide what the long-term plan is at safety. Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown and Marques Sigle all had their ups and downs this season, and it would be no surprise if a desire for stability at the position led San Francisco to seek more experienced assistance at the position.
In short, the 49ers need help at the skill positions and on the offensive line and, considering the injuries they have endured at linebacker, there’s a case to be made that every level of the defense requires reinforcement.
The 49ers, per Over The Cap, have just under $30million in cap space for 2026, and have the opportunity to increase that amount by designating Aiyuk a post-June 1 release in March, which seems the most likely outcome. That is enough room for at least one splash in free agency and, with all seven of their draft picks in the first five rounds, the 49ers have the resources through which to markedly improve their roster.
Yet, after ending the season two wins from the Super Bowl, the 49ers have a substantial task to get the roster to a level where they can compete with the likes of the Seahawks and Rams on the postseason stage. The gap between San Francisco and Seattle last Saturday could hardly have been more stark, and the front office will need to make several astute decisions to narrow it.
About the Author: Insidethe49
