The San Francisco 49ers have endured a challenging offseason, earning one of the lowest offseason grades awarded by PFSN’s Brandon Austin. With significant departures and minimal reinforcements, the franchise has raised serious questions about its immediate future.
San Francisco’s offseason has primarily been defined by their commitment to quarterback Brock Purdy, who received a massive five-year, $265 million extension. With key contributors such as Deebo Samuel, Charvarius Ward, and Dre Greenlaw now gone, the 49ers must rely heavily on Purdy’s development and a few strategic additions.
What 2025 Offseason Grade Did the 49ers Receive?
The “D” grade handed down by Austin reflects legitimate concerns about the franchise’s direction. San Francisco had limited success addressing their significant roster losses, leaving the team in a potentially vulnerable position.
Austin noted in his 2025 NFL offseason grades, “The 49ers’ 2025 draft class had its highs and lows. Mykel Williams was a polarizing prospect; he possesses elite physical traits, but his college production didn’t match. C.J. West and Alfred Collins could help fill the void left by Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave, but they’ll have their work cut out improving a defense that ranked 28th in EPA per rush and 25th in run defense success rate.”
He continued, “Bringing Robert Saleh back as defensive coordinator could help. Unfortunately, he won’t have the same level of talent across the board as in his previous tenure.”
Impact of Losing Deebo Samuel and Other Key Veterans
Trading star receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for just a fifth-round draft pick has drawn some criticism. Samuel was instrumental to the 49ers’ offensive success for six seasons, and his departure leaves a significant void that will be difficult to fill quickly.
To address this gap, San Francisco signed veteran wideout Demarcus Robinson, a 30-year-old journeyman now playing for his fourth team since 2021. Robinson’s experience with elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson could benefit Purdy, but he’s not considered an equivalent talent to Samuel.
The 49ers also selected Jordan Watkins with the 138th overall pick in the NFL Draft, injecting youth into the receiving corps. Watkins’ development will be critical, given the lack of proven talent at receiver.
Similarly, San Francisco secured cornerback Tre Brown on a one-year, $1.7 million deal. Brown, a four-year veteran from Seattle, adds affordable depth to a secondary needing reinforcements following Ward’s departure.
Analyzing Brock Purdy’s Massive Contract and Pressure to Perform
The massive contract awarded to Purdy (five years, $265 million with a no-trade clause) places enormous expectations on the quarterback.
Purdy completed 65.9% of his passes last season, totaling 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, but questions remain about his ability to carry an offense lacking proven weapons beyond Christian McCaffrey.
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The financial investment in Purdy significantly limited San Francisco’s cap flexibility, impacting their ability to adequately replace key defensive and offensive talent. The success or failure of the franchise now largely rests on Purdy’s shoulders.
But should Purdy sustain an injury, the 49ers will turn to Mac Jones, who signed a two-year, $7 million contract with $5 million guaranteed. Jones provides experienced depth and stability behind Purdy at a very reasonable cost.
Defensive Additions: Mykel Williams Leads 2025 Draft Class
San Francisco prioritized defense early in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting defensive end Mykel Williams out of Georgia. Williams signed a four-year, $24.94 million rookie contract, which includes a fifth-year team option and a nearly $15 million signing bonus.
Williams produced 14 sacks during his three-year college career, demonstrating his pass-rush potential despite inconsistent overall production. With Saleh returning as defensive coordinator, maximizing Williams’ talent will be crucial to improving a struggling defense.
PFSN Analyst Ian Cummings said in his pre-draft scouting report of Williams, “Mykel Williams has the ideal size and length to project seamlessly as a defensive end in a base 4-3 system. His explosiveness off the line of scrimmage is impressive, and while his pass-rush arsenal is relatively raw, he’s capable of winning as a pass rusher on stunts and with speed-to-power.
“Williams pairs his elite physical attributes with a red-hot motor and an assignment-sound, role-disciplined imprint in run defense. Williams could be a player who starts slow in the NFL as a pass-rush producer, but he has tremendous growth potential.
“He can be weaponized on stunts right away with his burst, power, and hip flexibility, and his high floor as a run defender insulates his profile with additional security.
2025 Season Outlook: Can the 49ers Overcome Offseason Setbacks?
Heading into the 2025 season, the 49ers face considerable challenges. With key losses, limited replacements, and high financial stakes placed on Purdy’s performance, expectations have tempered significantly.
San Francisco will need exceptional coaching from Kyle Shanahan and Saleh, rapid rookie development, and breakout performances from low-cost signings to remain competitive in the NFC West.
