The San Francisco 49ers just wrapped up one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. The franchise parted ways with several players to retain only its core pillars, headlined by quarterback Brock Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension, the largest contract in 49ers history.
Despite the roster turnover, the team’s foundation remains strong, and with one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, fans expect San Francisco to stay aggressive in 2025, especially with the Super Bowl set to be played at Levi’s Stadium.
With that in mind, two veteran wide receivers have emerged as potential fits to round out the offensive plans for the upcoming season.
Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper Picked As Perfect Fit for the 49ers
Expectations for the 49ers this season are mixed. While some analysts doubt the team’s ability to reach the playoffs, others believe that a favorable schedule and being one year removed from the traumatic Super Bowl loss could benefit the group, possibly turning San Francisco into a powerhouse once again in the NFC.
Although the team lost key players like Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Charvarius Ward, they’ve managed to keep a solid core intact, especially on offense with Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, and especially George Kittle, who is coming off back-to-back All-Pro-caliber seasons.
Aiyuk is expected to miss the start of the season as he recovers from an ACL injury, and Demarcus Robinson is likely to be suspended for the first few games, opening the door for the team to bring in a veteran wide receiver. Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper are among the top available options and would provide valuable experience for Purdy.
This route by Keenan Allen 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aDjuxEwv9g
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 19, 2025
Allen, though no longer a featured weapon, remains one of the best route runners in the NFL, a skill that continues to make him effective. He would also be a red zone asset, an area where San Francisco struggled last season despite moving the ball well.
In a CBS Sports article, Cody Benjamin noted that Allen’s low acquisition cost could make him an appealing target for the 49ers, especially with the team missing two wide receivers at the beginning of the year.
“After securing Brock Purdy for the long haul, it’s not hard to envision Kyle Shanahan wanting to give his young quarterback added insurance out wide, especially in the form of a proven route-running possession target like Allen or Cooper,” Benjamin wrote.
Cooper also brings a route-running skill set that San Francisco currently lacks, even with Pearsall showing promise in that area. He spent last season with the Buffalo Bills and wasn’t a focal point of the offense, but his presence early in the year would help take pressure off Jennings and the rest of the receiving group.
Both Allen and Cooper are veterans with over a decade of NFL experience, each having surpassed 60 career touchdowns. While they may not be high-impact additions at this stage of their careers, they make situational sense for San Francisco’s system and the current needs of the team.