Is it run defense, the red zone offense, or injuries?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in San Francisco 49ers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Fans of the San Francisco 49ers are optimistic at an all-time high. Robert Saleh is back, the draft feels like a perfect fit for the team, and the team is relatively healthy. Christian McCaffrey is ready to roll, and the cornerstone players are under contract with no issues heading...

Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Robert Saleh speaks at 49ers mandatory minicamp

“San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh addressed reporters following the team’s final practice of mandatory minicamp. Here’s everything he had to say.”

Can running back Corey Kiner follow blueprint of 49ers’ undrafted success stories? (paywall)

“Turner, 75, the NFL’s oldest position coach, does exhaustive research on college prospects. And the old-school taskmaster evidently found a kindred spirit in Kiner during their pre-draft conversations. Kiner said his football mentality was shaped by his father, Clifton, who served in the...

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed a little annoyed at the thought of practice stats impacting how his players practice.

When you’re watching practice, the goal of the media member is to provide as much information as possible to those who are unable to attend. Throughout the years, charting and sharing practice statistics have become increasingly prevalent.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believes these stats are messing with his player's heads. Just like in real, meaningful games, stats rarely tell the whole story. A receiver can impact a game without having 10 catches. A quarterback having a completion...

The 49ers star left tackle was in attendance at OTAs for the first time in nearly a decade.

The 2024 season was not pretty for the San Francisco 49ers. But, it was an especially difficult year for star left tackle Trent Williams, who suffered a devastating personal tragedy off the field and dealt with injury woes on the field.

Williams, 36, had signed a three-year, $82.26 million extension with the 49ers ahead of last season, holding out for much of the offseason to secure guaranteed money.

With contract issues out of the way, the star had hoped to put his...

It’s hard to narrow down one after a disappointing 2024 season, but Brandon Aiyuk’s return to form will be vital in 2025.

The San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver room will look different in 2025. Jauan Jennings enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, Ricky Pearsall is looking for a second-year leap, Demarcus Robinson was brought in as veteran depth, Jacob Cowing is trending up after a productive offseason, and the 49ers added Jordan Watkins in the draft. Not to mention - Deebo Samuel’s departure for Washington.

But what about former All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk?

Following a contentious offseason negotiation, which ultimately...

Stop the run challenge in 2025. The 49ers can’t possibly be worse against the run this year...right?

On Monday, we discussed the No. 1 priority for the San Francisco 49ers offense. It’s simple. Score touchdowns in the red zone. The defensive side of the ball becomes even clearer when we list priorities.

Stop the run

Robert Saleh’s fingerprints were all over the 2025 NFL Draft. He probably had a say in which defensive linemen were released, too. According to Pro Football Focus, only one player along the defensive line had an average run defense grade in 2024, and it...

The top two options are clear, but what about the depth behind them?

Of all the issues for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, coverage in the secondary was a huge bright spot for the defense with the emergence of Renardo Green, combined with the stellar play of Deommodore Lenoir. Lenoir finished 20th in the NFL with a 71.7 coverage grade, allowing 58 receptions on 89 targets and zero touchdowns in 15 games. Green earned a 74.3 coverage grade and allowed 44 catches on 70 targets and three touchdowns in the same number of games.

While there is no doubt...

Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

Kyle Shanahan speaks at 49ers mandatory minicamp

“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters following the team’s first practice of mandatory minicamp. Here’s everything he had to say.”

49ers’ Trent Williams on his future: ‘Not going to retire with something left in the tank’ (paywall)

“You wouldn’t think that this is a team that went 6-11 last year,” Williams said Tuesday. “The confidence, the way the kids are flying around. … The new draft class to me looks like it has several steals,...

The 49ers acquired Bryce Huff to be the complement for Nick Bosa they have lacked for several seasons.

The 49ers left it late to make what could prove to be one of the most important moves of their offseason with the trade for edge rusher Bryce Huff.

San Francisco took a low-risk bet on Robert Saleh’s ability to get the best out of a player who thrived under his tutelage in his time with the New York Jets by trading a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. That pick could upgrade to a fourth-rounder based on performance.

Handing...

Kyle Shanahan said he could have participated during OTAs, but the 49ers are taking it slow with Ricky Pearsall.

The San Francisco 49ers had a mandatory minicamp practice Tuesday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed some of the injured players and when he expected them to return. The following players are all expected to be ready by training camp, which begins in roughly six weeks:

WR Ricky Pearsall (hamstring)

WR Jauan Jennings (calf)

DE Mykel Williams (hamstring)

DT Alfred Collins (calf)

OT Andre Dillard (ankle scope)

S J’Ayir Brown (ankle cleanup)

S George Odum (knee)

DL Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)

This was...

Breaking down the 90 players on the 49ers’ offseason roster in 90 posts (over 90 or so days). Today is CB Renardo Green

Sauce Gardner light? The San Francisco 49ers are hopeful Renardo Green can become the dominant cornerback Robert Saleh had in New York. According to defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, the biggest change we’ll see from the Niners’ defense will come in the back end. Believe it or not, coverage was a strength for the Niners in 2024. Fred Warner boosts those numbers, but Green was remarkable as a rookie.

Today, we’ll talk about how the second-year cornerback...

There are many reasons, but is it just health?

The San Francisco 49ers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Robert Saleh has returned as the Defensive Coordinator and helped revamp the 49ers' defensive line and run defense. Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Fred Warner signed massive contract extensions before training camp, and Kyle Shanahan gets Christian McCaffrey back at full health with Brandon Aiyuk returning eventually.

You can add the easiest strength of schedule, as the 49ers finished 6-11 in 2024. The development of Malik Mustapha, Ricky Pearsall, Renardo Green, and Dominick Puni...