2025 NFL Preview: San Francisco 49ers Season Outlook, Schedule & Prediction
2025 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SEASON PREVIEW
It was a very down year for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. It was clear early on with a 12 start followed by alternating wins and losses over the next five games. The Niners got to 5-4 with a win against Tampa Bay but would go onto lose seven of the final eight games of the season. It was a 6-11 campaign for the Niners.
OFFENSE
It was a down year for the Niners that consisted of injuries and in consisted play.
San Francisco is hoping to change that in 2025. Brock Purdy has a brand-new contract and Christian McCaffrey will enter the season healthy.
McCaffrey played in just four games last season after Achilles issues. This made the Niners very limited in what they were able to do offensively. This season, the Niners can open it up more with McCaffrey back on the field.
On the outside, the Niners traded Deebo Samuel to Washington and Brandon Aiyuk will miss time as he recovers from a torn ACL from last season. This makes it even more important that McCaffrey is healthy. The Niners are confident Jauan Jennings can step up in a bigger role with Ricky Pearsall. And of course, George Kittle will be a focal point of the offense after an incredible campaign in 2024.
Along the offensive line, Trent Williams missed seven games. At 37 years old, there will be questions around him all year but at full strength, he is as good as there is. Colton McKivitz provides a spark on the right side.On the interior, Dominick Puni and Ben Bartch are projected to be the starting guards with Aaron Banks gone.
DEFENSE
The Niners had to clear up some money to pay the quarterback this offseason and that led to defensive players moving on.
In the front seven, it was Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, and Javon Hargrave all leading in free agency. This led to San Francisco using its first-round pick on Mykel Williams to join Nick Bosa along the defensive line. This was a major addition as the Niners did not have many options outside of Bosa who could get to the quarterback.
The Niners also lost some playmakers in the secondary with Talanoa Hufanga and Charvarious Ward. Malik Mustapha remains on the roster but suffered a torn ACL at the end of last season. This means Ji’Ayir Brown will have to take the next step in a major role. He has shown great promise as a young safety.
In the middle, Fred Warner continues to be one of the top linebackers in the league. Dre Greenlaw is gone after missing time last year with a torn Achilles. Dee Winters will join Warner at the linebacker position.
All in all, this is a defense with many new faces and some question marks on the depth chart outside of the star power of Bosa and Warner.
SCHEDULE
Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 2: at New Orleans Saints
Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 4: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 5: at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday Night)
Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday Night)
Week 8: at Houston Texans
Week 9: at New York Giants
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 11: at Arizona Cardinals
Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers (Monday Night)
Week 13: at Cleveland Browns
Week 14: BYE WEEK
Week 15: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 16: at Indianapolis Colts (Monday Night)
Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Record Prediction: 11-6