I'm down on the 49ers this year. I don't like Christian McCaffrey's odds of staying healthy, and I don't like any of the news surrounding the team. (Latest has Jauan Jennings, pictured, wanting a new contract or to be traded.) And they've lost a lot, too.
They gave Brock Purdy a big new contract. Their quarterback is in place, which gives them an edge over some teams. And supposedly McCaffrey looks fully healthy in practices (but every team says that guys are fully healthy or ahead of schedule). But that's the extent of the good news.
It's crazy, since San Francisco has been to three of the last four NFC Championship games (and one Super Bowl). But they went 6-11 last year, finishing last in the NFC West, and I think that's a more accurate picture of where the team is right now.
Certainly, they're really turned over a lot of their roster this offseason. Starting wide receivers and offensive linemen, No. 2 running backs and tight ends, and about half of their starting defense.
Here's the breakdown of players who are out the door in the last few months, with their number of 2024 starts shown. Several of the defensive players missed time to injury, but are still good players (certainly the contracts they signed indicate as much). But at a lot of spots, San Francisco is starting over.
| SAN FRANCISCO OFFSEASON MOVEMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | St | Status |
| RB | Jordan Mason | 8 | traded to Min. |
| RB | Elijah Mitchell | 0 | signed with K.C. |
| FB | Kyle Juszczyk | 15 | released, but re-signed |
| OG | Aaron Banks | 13 | signed with G.B. |
| OT | Jaylon Moore | 5 | signed with K.C. |
| TE | Eric Saubert | 3 | signed with Seattle |
| WR | Deebo Samuel | 15 | traded to Wash. |
| DT | Javon Hargrave | 3 | cut, signed with Min. |
| DT | Maliek Collins | 17 | cut, signed with Cle. |
| DE | Leonard Floyd | 17 | cut, signed with Atl. |
| OLB | Dre Greenlaw | 2 | signed with Den. |
| CB | Charvarius Ward | 12 | signed with Ind. |
| SS | Talanoa Hufanga | 7 | signed with Den. |
The most recent news is at wide receiver. Aiyuk may open the season on the PUP list, costing him at least four games. Jennings, realizing that he may need to be the No. 1 wide receiver at the start of the year, wants a new contract or to be traded. (That worked out well a year ago with Aiyuk.)
Yesterday Ricky Pearsall (last year's first-round pick) was placed on the PUP list. He was dealing with a hamstring injury at minicamp. Not necessarily a big deal at this point, but combined with the other wide receiver absences, it indicates Purdy will be spending some time introducing himself to the receivers he's throwing to as camp opens.
I think 2025 is a rebuilding year. Good chance this is the worst team in the NFC West again. I don't have a lot of interest in their defense in fantasy leagues, despite the players still there, and I expect a lot of their key offensive players will be selected earlier than I want to invest in them, as well.
--Andy Richardson