The Niners could look to the draft and free agency to fill out some of their starting spots in 2025.
The San Francisco 49ers are heading into a crucial offseason for the franchise, where they have a number of questions to answer, with quarterback Brock Purdy’s impending contract extension being the biggest one.
However, there could also be a few moving parts on both sides, as the 49ers look to add players, both in the draft and via free agency, hoping to return to contention after a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2024.
Still, there are a number of key core pieces that the 49ers will carry over to next year. So, where could the 49ers have some new starters on offense in 2025? Let’s look at the offense first.
Quarterback
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 49ers should have Brock Purdy penciled in as their starter for the 2025 season.
The two sides should begin communication on an extension if they haven’t already, and a deal should be worked out hopefully sooner rather than later so that the team can put the upcoming season as the main area of focus in the offseason.
Now, the 49ers may need a new No. 2 quarterback, as Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs are both free agents, but their starter seems pretty firmly set going into the offseason.
Running Back
Like at quarterback, the 49ers are pretty set with their starting running back as Christian McCaffrey just signed a two-year, $38 million extension last offseason.
McCaffrey did deal with a plethora of injuries in 2024, which could provide an emphasis on adding depth at position, but he should be penciled in as the starter as well, barring any new injuries.
Now, the 49ers could also have a question with their backup running back. Jordan Mason is a restricted free agent and could command a solid salary in a weak free agent class at the position. While San Francisco could match any offer, they may be out of the team’s price range, given they just extended McCaffrey at a top-of-the-market deal and drafted Isaac Guerendo last year.
Wide Receiver
The first possible shakeup could come at wide receiver.
San Francisco has two receivers entering the final year of their contract in 2025: Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings. The 49ers dangled Samuel in trade talks last offseason before keeping him and general manager John Lynch indicated that the team would keep Samuel this offseason, rather than moving on.
But, 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall emerged as a key contributor during the final weeks of the season, and could very well push for a starting spot in 2025, providing San Francisco with two man-beaters on the outside.
Now, the wildcard in the situation is Brandon Aiyuk, who is still recovering from a torn ACL injury sustained early in the season. The 49ers could keep their entire core as insurance in case Aiyuk’s recovery takes longer than expected, but there still may be a shakeup in the starting lineup with Pearsall on the verge of a potential breakout season.
Tight End
George Kittle is locked and loaded for the 2025 season and it doesn’t seem like he’s going anywhere. So, the 49ers have their starting tight end.
But, the backup position is still without an inherent solution. The 49ers’ draftees at the position in 2023 were both cut. Eric Saubert doesn’t seem like the long-term fit and is scheduled to hit free agency again. And the team hasn’t used Kyle Juszczyk in that tight end role much over his tenure in San Francisco.
So, there needs to be a fix there, but the starting spot is set with Kittle back in 2025.
Offensive Line
The biggest potential changes on offense seem to likely come with the offensive line.
San Francisco is losing Aaron Banks to free agency and it doesn’t make much sense to overpay to bring him back after an inconsistent last two years. So, they’ll need a new left guard.
Jake Brendel also hasn’t been the answer at center, which could lead San Francisco to look for his replacement in the offseason, even with the veteran still under contract for two more years.
At right tackle, Colton McKivitz could be set, but with the 49ers picking at No. 11, there could be a discussion about bumping the veteran inside and playing a rookie on the outside should they go for the best player available.
At the moment, assuming Trent Williams returns, the two spots that seem locked at left tackle and right guard. Now, the options to fill the other holes could be on the team already, with Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj, and Ben Bartch serving as potential options for the interior.
Regardless, there seem to be some changes on the way along the offensive line. The only question is: how much change will happen?