The San Francisco 49ers are in dire need of a bounce-back season. After an injury-riddled 2024, they finished 6-11, just one year after being maybe a play away from winning the Super Bowl.
However, the 2025 season holds promise. The 49ers have the weakest schedule in the NFL, and many observers expect them to come roaring back as a power in the NFC. But does that mean they’ll be using the preseason to fine-tune their on-field chemistry against the Denver Broncos?
How Does Kyle Shanahan Plan To Deploy His Roster?
The Niners are entering their preseason tilt against the Denver Broncos with significant questions at wide receiver. Deebo Samuel was traded away, Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from ACL surgery, and while he hasn’t made a formal trade request, Jauan Jennings has been making noise about wanting to go elsewhere if he doesn’t get a new contract.
However, those issues won’t be worked out in a preseason game. At least not against Denver. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Thursday, “I never like to decide until after this practice,” Shanahan said. “Won’t play a ton of them. Doesn’t mean that we’ll rest all 22. But don’t expect to see a lot out there.”
It’s a wise move. The Niners have a long and storied history of injury problems, and right now, the best thing for them to do is keep Christian McCaffrey in bubble wrap and as far as possible from heavy contact until the games count.
McCaffrey’s coming off a season where he was hobbled by a calf problem that sparked fears it could lead to a torn Achilles, and a PCL injury that ended his season.
Jennings has been having calf problems, and defensive end Mykel Williams suffered a knee injury on Thursday. San Francisco just had a joint practice with the Broncos. There is no need to expose starters when you can deploy your backups and project some reps on tape.
Speaking of Projects, Mac Jones Is Here for a Career Overhaul
Expect to see heavy doses of Mac Jones at quarterback against Denver. After seeing his career go south, he’s likely hoping to give it a shot in the arm by spending time under Shanahan’s tutelage.
Jones went 15th overall to the New England Patriots in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was named the Patriots’ starter before the regular season and started his career strong. He led New England to the playoffs and appeared in a Pro Bowl.
Unfortunately, things went south after Bill O’Brien became his offensive coordinator. The Patriots had a dismal 2023, and after the season was over, Jones was traded to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. He started seven games for Jacksonville, throwing for 1,672 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
The Niners signed Jones to a two-year, $7 million contract this offseason to be Brock Purdy’s backup.
