While contract negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy dominated the offseason headlines, another major storyline surrounding the San Francisco 49ers this offseason is the dramatic overhaul of their roster—particularly on defense. The team moved on from several key veteran contributors and turned to the NFL Draft for younger, more cost-effective replacements.
Notable departures include Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd. In their place, rookies like Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, Nick Martin, Upton Stout, CJ West, and Marques Sigle are expected to step in and fill the void.
ESPN highlighted the top storyline for each NFL team ahead of minicamps. With the 49ers set to hold theirs on Tuesday and Wednesday, ESPN's Nick Wagoner identified the defense's transformation as San Francisco's most compelling storyline.
"San Francisco said goodbye to its coordinator and nine defenders who started at least one game last season," Wagoner wrote. "To try to return that group to previously dominant levels, the 49ers dipped into their successful past, bringing back coordinator Robert Saleh."
Saleh is widely considered one of the 49ers' most impactful offseason additions. The franchise is banking on his ability to revitalize a unit that underperformed in 2024. San Francisco used six of its 11 draft picks—including the first five—on defensive players, signaling a clear commitment to rebuilding that side of the ball.
"Saleh has built San Francisco's defense from the ground up before, and though he has some core guys at the center of the group this time, the rebuild won't be easy," Wagoner continued.
"The mandatory minicamp offers a closer look at how Saleh will make the pieces, including three potential rookie starters on the defensive line, fit into a scheme he said has evolved since 2020 when he was last San Francisco's coordinator."
As the 49ers prepare for a crucial 2025 campaign, attempting to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 season, all eyes will be on how quickly the new-look defense can gel under Saleh's leadership.