Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr recently looked beyond the offseason to unveil 100 bold predictions for the 2025 NFL season. Among them are two that should energize San Francisco 49ers fans, especially if they come to fruition. However, a third suggests that quarterback Brock Purdy won't be able to suit up for at least one contest.
Christian McCaffrey predicted to win Comeback Player of the Year
Orr predicts that 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey will claim NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. McCaffrey's 2024 season was derailed by injuries, limiting him to just 348 total yards and zero touchdowns over four games. He opened the year on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis and ended it sidelined again with a knee injury.
"The 49ers had 11 picks in this year's draft and did not even touch the offensive side of the ball until Round 4," Orr noted. "While the 49ers did select a running back (Oregon's Jordan James in the fifth round), the team's lack of urgency surrounding the position—in addition to San Francisco trading Jordan Mason to the Vikings—signals that there have been some positive early returns on McCaffrey's health."
Now healthy, McCaffrey is determined to bounce back and return to elite form. He's not far removed from his stellar 2023 season, when he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. A full-strength McCaffrey could be a game-changer in 2025.
49ers projected to win 12 games
Another bold prediction from Orr: the 49ers will finish the 2025 regular season with 12 wins. That total could be enough to recapture the NFC West title and prevent the Los Angeles Rams from repeating as division champions.
"The most generous schedule in football, coupled with the healthy return of Christian McCaffrey, will propel Kyle Shanahan's 49ers back into the conversation atop the NFC West," Orr explained. "It's truly amazing what happens to a team not saddled with a historically egregious net rest differential, as San Francisco was in 2024."
Improving from 6-11 to 12-5 would be a remarkable turnaround. San Francisco benefits from the NFL's easiest schedule based on 2024 win percentages (.415). Outside of two matchups against the Rams, the 49ers face only two other playoff teams from last season—the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mac Jones set to shine in primetime?
Orr also offered a surprising forecast involving backup quarterback Mac Jones, predicting he'll deliver a breakout performance on Monday Night Football. With Purdy yet to play a full 17-game season, it's plausible that Jones could see meaningful snaps in 2025. The 49ers are set to host the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.
"The former first-round pick, whom many thought was destined for San Francisco during his draft cycle, is finally at home in the Bay Area," Orr wrote. "Football Grayson Allen will have to make a spot start in prime time in Week 12 and will tally more than 400 passing yards and three touchdowns."
While some project another challenging season for the 49ers, there's no doubt that Sports Illustrated's outlook is more favorable.
H/t to Peter Panacy of Niner Noise for the find.