The 49er offense is going to deliver efficient production.
That has simply become a fact of life in the Kyle Shanahan era, and it was a point evidenced by the fact San Francisco finished sixth in Expected Points Added per play on offense last season despite injuries at quarterback and at the pass-catching positions.
Still, there are some questions about the 49er attack heading into 2026, a year the Niners approach with a revamped receiving corps.
With training camp drawing closer, I look at three players who head into the coming season under significant pressure to perform.
WR Mike Evans
Simply put, for the 49ers’ offense, the free agency investment in Evans has to pay off.
The 49er passing game has an extremely high floor almost regardless of who is occupying the various roles within it, such is the play-calling acumen of Shanahan.
But, for the aerial attack to reach the heights the 49ers desire in 2026, they need Evans to reprise the form that has defined a career that will almost certainly result in him being enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
Even heading into his age-33 season, Evans is a receiver who offers substantial upside in the red zone and as a deep threat.
The 49ers were impressive in the red zone last season, and it is in the latter area where Evans’ addition is likely to be most important.
San Francisco has lacked a significant downfield threat over the last two seasons with Brandon Aiyuk largely on the shelf. While Evans does not have elite speed, he is a top-tier ball-winner who doesn’t need significant separation to do damage going deep.
Were it not for the fact that his 2025 season was ruined by injury, there would be little concern about Evans excelling for the 49ers. Between his age and the issues he had in the previous campaign, nervousness around having him as the No. 1 receiver is somewhat understandable.
Should Evans again struggle with injuries, the 49ers’ depth chart at receiver will look shaky. It’s imperative for the Niners that Evans dispels any nerves by staying healthy and forming a rapport with Purdy that can elevate the ceiling of this already high-powered attack.
WR Ricky Pearsall
While Evans will be tasked with serving as a ball-dominant X who can boost the downfield attack and add another option in the red zone, for Pearsall the primary task is a simple one. Avoid injuries.
Pearsall could obviously do nothing about the awful circumstances surrounding his disrupted rookie year, but a second season hindered by a knee injury means he is already fighting for his long-term future with the team.
When healthy, Pearsall has shown himself to be a receiver who can win consistently with his route-running, make plays at all three levels and rise to the occasion in clutch situations.
Pearsall has the game to be an excellent complement to Evans and clearly has a strong rapport with both Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
But the cliche goes that the best ability is availability. Pearsall needs to be available for the entire year and to shine. With the 49ers drafting another receiver, albeit a stylistically different one, in the form of the De’Zhaun Stribling with their top pick this year, the writing could soon be on the wall for Pearsall if he fails in that regard. Another year in and out of the lineup may make the 49ers’ decision on his fifth-year option much easier.
G Dominick Puni
Puni will not capture attention in the same way as Evans or Pearsall, but the 49ers need him to take a positive step in year three.
The right guard, who enjoyed a promising rookie season in 2024, struggled to build on that last season, with the interior of the offensive line continuing to be the biggest question-mark surrounding the trenches.
San Francisco already has a question-mark at the left guard spot, with the likes of Connor Colby, Robert Jones and rookie Carver Willis likely set to compete to start there.
With a competition on one side of center Jake Brendel, the 49ers would ideally like to avoid another. As such, it is in the best interests of San Francisco and Puni, a free agent after the 2027 season, for him to definitively make right guard his own.
If Puni succeeds and follows a strong camp with an impressive season, the 49ers may think about getting out in front of his free agency and turning to contract discussions. Another year of struggle for the former third-round pick could make it a very difficult season for the O-Line that drags down the production of the offense as a whole.
About the Author: Insidethe49
