The San Francisco 49ers, after falling to a 6-11 record in 2024 due to injuries and internal issues, face a critical offseason aimed at reviving their competitiveness. With the return of Christian McCaffrey and significant defensive additions, the team hopes to reclaim its status as a top contender in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC West and the wider <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL landscape. The 2025 season will reveal whether these changes can reverse last year’s setbacks and reignite the 49ers’ championship aspirations.
Impact of injuries on the offense and hurdles to overcome
Last season proved disastrous for the 49ers’ offense, primarily due to a swarm of injuries affecting key players. Christian McCaffrey, a crucial offensive weapon, missed the first eight games because of persistent Achilles troubles and later suffered a knee injury in Week 13, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams were also hampered by injuries and contract disputes, with Aiyuk’s season ending after a torn ACL in Week 7 and Williams sidelined following an ankle injury in Week 11.
In stark contrast to their prolific output in 2023—when McCaffrey and Aiyuk combined for 3,365 yards and 28 touchdowns—they managed only 722 yards and no touchdowns in 2024. This drop underscores the vital role McCaffrey plays in San Francisco’s offense, especially in the passing game where he creates opportunities on short throws and checkdowns.
McCaffrey’s history of elite production, leading the NFL twice in touches, yards from scrimmage, and touchdowns, highlights his exceptional skill, but his durability remains a concern as he approaches 30 years old. The team’s yardage and effectiveness on short passes suffered notably without him; in 2023, the 49ers ranked first in expected points added per play on throws to running backs up to five yards downfield, but plummeted to 17th in 2024.
The running game also faltered, dropping from third to 17th in expected points added per rush, demonstrating how intertwined McCaffrey’s presence is with both facets of the offense. Beyond McCaffrey and Aiyuk, late-season standout Ricky Pearsall faced his own challenges, including a chest gunshot and a hamstring injury sustained during offseason activities, limiting his availability for the start of camp. Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings remains a gritty presence, contributing as both blocker and receiver, with an expectation to grow in importance.
San Francisco moved on from Deebo Samuel after trading him to Washington, losing the NFL’s leader in average yards after the catch in 2024. His unique skill set will be hard to replace, likely nudging the offense toward a more vertical approach to wide receiver targets, allowing McCaffrey to control the underneath routes.
Offensive line play also contributed to the offense’s decline. Veteran Trent Williams dealt with injuries and posted career-low grades, while right tackle Colton McKivitz struggled with consistency. The guard spots remain uncertain, with rookie Dominick Puni showing promise but battles expected at left guard between Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford. Center Jake Brendel offers solid run blocking but has struggled in pass protection.
Quarterback Brock Purdy faced a harsh adjustment without his key supporting cast. His completion rate dropped from 55.3% to 40.8%, while his off-target throw rate nearly doubled, and his efficiency rating declined substantially. Purdy’s risk-taking style yields both exciting highs and frustrating lows, but limitations in target separation—49ers wide receivers ranked last in the league—and the absence of reliable YAC (yards after catch) options in 2024 intensified his struggles.
Despite these difficulties, Purdy’s scrambling ability remained a bright spot; he scrambled on more than 8% of his dropbacks last year, doubling his 2023 rate and showing effective mobility. Additionally, there’s potential for increased use of play-action passes. San Francisco’s use of play action dropped from nearly one-third of dropbacks in 2019 to 22nd last season, but with McCaffrey back to bolster the ground game, the 49ers may revive this tactic and leverage Purdy’s skill set more effectively.
Defense overhaul: Youth and new leadership aiming for impact
The 49ers’ defense struggled mightily in 2024, especially against the run, posting some of the worst historical metrics tracked in recent decades. Their run defense allowed a 52.1% success rate on rushing attempts and had near-negative expected points added per run, a disastrous combination for a unit once considered elite. Missed tackles and poor run-stopping ability marred their performance, with only Nick Bosa and Fred Warner standing out positively among key defensive players.
In response, San Francisco executed a major overhaul. Veteran run defense liabilities like De’Vondre Campbell, Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, and Javon Hargrave were replaced by an infusion of young talent focused on the front seven, using all of their first five draft picks on defense.
- First-round edge rusher Mykel Williams, a top run defender at Georgia, will join Bosa on the edge and aims to provide immediate pressure.
- Second-round defensive tackle Alfred Collins was rated as the nation’s ninth-best interior defender, bringing size and toughness to the defensive line.
- Third-round linebacker Nick Martin ranked fourth in tackles in college football, offering optimism for impact up the middle.
- Fourth-round defensive tackle CJ West was highly graded, particularly against the run, and is expected to add depth and power inside.
The 49ers also welcomed back defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who previously helped craft two of San Francisco’s best defensive seasons in 2019 and 2020 before his head coaching tenure with the Jets. Saleh’s return is seen as a catalyst to restore the unit’s former stinginess and physical style.
Additions like pass rush specialist Bryce Huff, acquired via trade, bring experience and a fresh element, despite recent struggles to find regular playing time with the Eagles. The defense’s blueprint now hinges on a blend of established stars and several projects—both young prospects and veterans working to revive their careers.
Success will also depend on the development of recent early draft picks such as Renardo Green, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Malik Mustapha, the latter still recovering from a torn ACL. If these players can contribute quickly, the improved front seven may relieve pressure on the secondary, helping push the defense back toward its competitive roots.
What the future holds: Can change lead to a 49ers revival?
The 2025 San Francisco 49ers emerge from a pivotal offseason marked by massive roster changes and refreshed strategic approaches. Driven partly by salary cap considerations and underperformance, the team forced a roster reset, with new talent injections especially on defense and hopes for restored health on offense.
At 29, Christian McCaffrey is a key figure whose return cannot be overstated. His dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver shapes the offensive identity, and his presence is expected to alleviate pressures on Brock Purdy and complement weapons like Aiyuk, Pearsall, and George Kittle. However, uncertainties loom large given McCaffrey’s injury history and the team’s offensive line questions.
Defensively, the youth movement and Saleh’s guidance represent a bet on recovery and fast development. Without significant improvement, run defense woes could continue to handicap the team. Yet, the arrival of top draft picks with high grades injects optimism that San Francisco can build a formidable unit.
The 49ers have struggled to maintain their previous standing amid the rise of NFC West rivals such as the Rams, Seahawks, and retooled Cardinals. With odds favoring a playoff return but still challenging, this season will test San Francisco’s resilience, adaptability, and whether strategic pivots like those made by the Mahomes-led Chiefs can be emulated.
Ultimately, the 49ers’ success in 2025 could hinge on a combination of McCaffrey’s health, rapid integration of defensive rookies, and breakthroughs from offensive role players, all under the watchful eyes of head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff. The team’s ability to blend experience with youth and overcome last year’s adversity will define its trajectory moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How religious is Christian McCaffrey?
A. Shortly after the young journalist’s interview on Monday, Sports Spectrum questioned McCaffrey about the significance of his Christian faith. McCaffrey responded that it means everything to him. He explained that his faith has brought him to where he is today and has helped him navigate life’s ups and downs by trusting in God.
Q. How rich is Christian McCaffrey?
A. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Christian McCaffrey, who plays running back for the San Francisco 49ers, has a net worth of around $30 million. In 2024, he extended his contract with the 49ers, earning an annual salary of $19 million and receiving a $14.29 million signing bonus.
Q. Is Christian McCaffrey really healthy?
A. “He is kind of crazy, but in a positive way, always trying new things daily,” Shanahan explained. “Last year, he couldn’t do that because he was injured. Now that he’s healthy, he’s back to his usual self, and it’s really enjoyable to see.”
Q. What is Christian McCaffrey’s contract? McCaffrey signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2020 season. The 49ers inked McCaffrey to a two-year, $38 million extension before the 2024 campaign that came with an additional $24 million in guarantees according to ESPN.
A. What is Christian McCaffrey’s value or worth?