There are 197 days until the 2025 NFL regular season officially begins. This may seem like an eternity for die-hard football fans. Yes, we will be forced to hear how great of an organization the Philadelphia Eagles are during these offseason months, but as we all know, the season will be here before we know it, and every team will reset to 0-0 with renewed Super Bowl aspirations.
The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of work to do to right the ship after a disappointing season. They finished last in the NFC West with a 6-11 record and missed the postseason for the first time since 2020.
As we head into the long offseason, let's take a look at the key dates and happenings to keep all you die-hard Faithful engaged during these tough NFL football-less months.
Free Agency
There are three types of free agency designations:
Exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) - Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
The 49ers decided to retain the rights to the following ERFAs:
- DE Alex Barrett
- LB Jalen Graham
- DE Sam Okuayinonu
- TE Jake Tonges
- DL Evan Anderson
- OL Austen Pleasants
- TE Mason Pline
Per source the 49ers will tender all of their exclusive rights free agents
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) February 17, 2025
Restricted Free Agents (RFA) - Any player that has accrued exactly three years in the NFL. RFAs can negotiate and sign with another franchise; however, their original team can offer them one of the various qualifying offers that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If a team withdraws the tender, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent.
The 49ers have the following RFAs:
- LB Curtis Robinson
- RB Jordan Mason
Jordan Mason will be the player to watch here. He is coming off a mini-breakout season in which he played in 12 games, rushed for 789 yards on just 153 attempts (5.2 yards per carry), and scored three rushing touchdowns.
#49ers Running Back, Jordan Mason with an explosive 38-yard run against the #Seahawks.
Jordan Mason will be an RFA this offseason. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/ftz8Ytqy2w
— Allan M (@NinersBlitz) February 18, 2025
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) - Players who have accrued at least four seasons in the NFL and are able to sign with any franchise.
The 49ers have the following players heading to the free agency market:
- CB Charvarius Ward
- LB Dre Greenlaw
- LB De'Vondre Campbell
- CB Isaac Yiadom
- LG Jon Feliciano
- QB Joshua Dobbs
- QB Brandon Allen
- DL Kevin Givens
- LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Released 2/18)
- LG Aaron Banks
- DL Khalil Davis
- WR Chris Conley
- TE Eric Saubert
- S Tashaun Gipson
- P Pat O'Donnell
- CB Rock Ya-Sin
- RT Charlie Heck
- LT Ben Bartch
- CB Nick McCloud
- RB Patrick Taylor
- LT Jaylon Moore
- S Talanoa Hufanga
- RB Elijah Mitchell
- DL Javon Hargrave (Void)
That is 24 players, many significant contributors and starters, who are at risk of leaving the 49ers to go elsewhere if the team cannot re-sign them.
March 10-12 will open the free agent negotiations, where teams will be allowed to enter contract negotiations with pending UFA players. The NFL's new league year and free agency period will begin at 4:00 pm ET on March 12, 2025. This will also be when teams can begin trading players.
NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft will be held April 24-26, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 49ers currently have 10 picks, including four selections in the top 100:
- Round 1, Pick 11
- Round 2, Pick 43
- Round 3, Pick 75
- Round 3, Pick 99 (Compensatory)
- Round 4, Pick 112
- Round 4, Pick 138 (Compensatory)
- Round 4, Pick 139 (Compensatory)
- Round 6, Pick 189
- Round 7, Pick 228 (via Carolina)
- Round 7, Pick 255 (Compensatory)
The 49ers have a great opportunity to restock the talent across various position groups with 10 picks, but they must hit on a few of these if they want to keep their contention window open.
Important Offseason Dates
- February 18: Teams may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- February 24-March 3: NFL Scouting Combine
- March 4: Deadline for teams to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
- March 10-12: Teams may begin contract negotiations with UFAs.
- March 12: Official League Year begins; Free Agency opens; Trading opens.
- April 18: Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets.
- April 24-26: 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
- May 1: Deadline for teams to exercise Fifth-Year options for players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
- May 2-5: Teams may decide to one three-day Rookie minicamps.
For a complete list of NFL offseason dates, please visit the 2025 NFL Operations Schedule.