Niners Nation
Do the 49ers have the pieces to be a contender in 2025?
At the end of the NFL season, there is only one champion. At the same time, there were eight division winners and eight last-place teams in 2024. The 2024 San Francisco 49ers operated under Murphy’s law. Anything that could go wrong - did go wrong.
The benefit of finishing in last place or with a poor record is that fourth-place teams will draw a fourth-place schedule the next season. With the 11th pick in the NFL draft, the 49ers can land a blue-chip player at the top end of the first round. Couple the high probability of drafting a stud, the 49ers had unfortunate personal and injury luck in 2024, which means a bounce-back season for the 49ers in 2025.
Looking at whatever sportsbook you prefer, the 49ers are high on the list of possible teams finishing 2025 with the Lombardi trophy. While many things are to be determined throughout the season, the confidence in the 49ers is based on better luck, their roster, and the culture of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.
Nothing is concrete, but it’s hard to look at the eight last-place teams and not look at the 49ers as the prime candidate to go from worst to first in 2025.
Just ask Pro Football Focus. Given the team’s unfortunate injury luck, the 49ers are at the top of the list as the best bet to return to the top of the NFC top.
Here is what PFF’s Zoltan Buday believes about the team’s chances in 2025.
San Francisco endured bad injury luck during the 2024 NFL regular season but should have every chance to get back into the playoffs and win its division in 2025.
If offensive cornerstones Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Aiyuk can stay healthy, then San Francisco’s offensive output should return to recent years’ levels. Even though quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to take up a significantly larger share of the salary cap and Deebo Samuel may depart via trade, San Francisco still will have more than enough talent to compete for the NFC West title.
The 49ers’ biggest priority should be fixing their secondary, as cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga are expected to become free agents next month.
The 49ers are in a prime spot to bounce back. Regardless of the potential losses in free agency, the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator, and the offseason assets at the team’s disposal, the 49ers are in a prime spot to bounce back.
A new season brings optimism, but possible additions and the return of impact players make the 49ers look like the best option to reach the top in 2025.
