Hope or hype? 49ers earn mixed record predictions after schedule release 

The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 season with the NFL's easiest strength of schedule. But that alone doesn't guarantee success as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing, injury-riddled 6–11 campaign.
The NFL unveiled its full 272-game regular-season schedule on Wednesday, giving fans the long-awaited dates and times for every matchup. The 49ers will open and close their season against the division rival Seattle Seahawks, starting on the road in Week 1 and finishing at Levi's Stadium in Week 18.

Last season, San Francisco faced four opponents coming off their bye weeks, finishing 1–3 in those contests. In 2025, however, they won't face a single team coming off a bye, potentially leveling the playing field.

Additionally, they will go against only two out-of-division teams that made the playoffs in 2024.

Following the schedule release, several experts shared their predictions for the 49ers' 2025 record, weighing the impact of offseason departures and the incoming draft talent. The outlooks varied—some expecting another challenging year, others more optimistic.

Below is a sample of three projections, ranging from worst to best:

Better, but not good enough

Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated projects a modest improvement for the 49ers, predicting an 8-9 finish—two more wins than last season. That record would place them third in the NFC West, one spot higher than they were in 2024.

"The 49ers have spent most of their offseason hearing about all the talent they lost in free agency," Manzano wrote. "This team could be highly motivated and dangerous, especially if Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams stay healthy."

Manzano sees the Los Angeles Rams winning the division with 12 victories, followed by the Arizona Cardinals with 10. He has the Seahawks bringing up the rear with six wins.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if the 49ers turn many doubters into believers after starting the season against the Seahawks, Saints, Cardinals, and Jaguars," Manzano added.

Those are San Francisco's first four opponents—the first two being on the road—before they host the Rams in Week 5.

A winning record—barely

Bleacher Report's Moe Moton gives the 49ers a winning record—but just barely. He projects a 9-8 campaign, acknowledging that health will be the determining factor.

"The 49ers' 2025 season outlook hinges on whether quarterback Brock Purdy and McCaffrey can stay on the field," Moton wrote.

Purdy's rookie season ended with a significant throwing-arm injury, but he bounced back with a record-setting sophomore campaign.

McCaffrey, however, will turn 29 before the season starts, and questions remain about whether he can return to his 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year form. The star running back played in just four games last season, beginning on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis and ending there due to a knee injury.

"Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could miss about half the season recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, and Trent Williams, who missed seven outings last season, is entering his age-37 term," Moton added. "San Francisco has little margin for error."

Moton wonders whether McCaffrey and Williams can make it through another full season, pointing to the age of the 49ers' offense as a potential liability. His projection places San Francisco third in the NFC West, behind the Rams and Cardinals.

Double-digit wins

Eric D. Williams of FOX Sports is more optimistic, predicting a 10–7 finish for the 49ers—good enough for second place in the NFC West, with the Rams leading the way with 12 wins.

"After having the toughest schedule in the league last year, San Francisco has the easiest schedule this season, with opponents owning a .417 winning percentage in 2024," Williams wrote. "So finishing at the bottom of the NFC West has its benefits. While the 49ers must replace eight defensive starters, they should benefit from the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator."

San Francisco rebuilt its defensive front through the draft, adding Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West to replace Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd.

"On offense, the 49ers look forward to a healthy Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams and, eventually, Brandon Aiyuk," Williams added. "Kyle Shanahan has not had back-to-back losing seasons since his first two years as 49ers head coach, in 2017-18. And after winning just six games in 2020, Shanahan followed that with a 10-win season in 2021. So 10 wins for San Francisco in 2025 makes sense."

A playoff return?

ESPN's Dan Graziano doesn't buy into the notion that an easy schedule and better health automatically guarantee a playoff return, calling that idea an "overreaction."

"Oh, it's totally fair to expect the 49ers to bounce back and be a contender this season," Graziano wrote. "During the Kyle Shanahan era, they've been exactly that whenever they've been able to avoid the kind of terrible injury luck they had last season. But it's important to remember how much has changed in San Francisco this offseason."

In addition to the previously mentioned losses, the 49ers also parted ways with key players like wide receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Given the turnover, skepticism is understandable.

Graziano notes that nearly half the starting lineup from Super Bowl LVIII is gone.

"Also, the past three teams that entered the season with the 'easiest' schedule (again, according to previous campaign's winning percentages) all finished with losing records," Graziano added. "That tells you a lot about the relevancy of having the 'easiest' schedule."