The San Francisco 49ers open their 2025 season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The 49ers are looking to bounce back from a down season a year ago, and starting in Seattle against a division foe isn't the easiest way to kick things off. But it will tell us a lot about where the team is.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week, kicking off our regular season run. We'll be here for you every week of the season. You had some great questions to launch this year, so let's take a look at what was on your mind.
Will Jennings play? Is this holdout-related or injury? Is this going to be a calf injury like McCaffrey had last year, before they announced the real issue? - KCarps
GM John Lynch said it can be both injury and contract-related. That seems to tell us it wasn't an injury alone, but I believe an injury was part of it. Jauan Jennings has had calf issues before. So I tend to believe there was an injury element to this. But we also know he wants a new deal.
Jennings returned to practice on Monday and was leading the wide receiver drills. That's a good sign that he will play on Sunday. Also, the fact that Kendrick Bourne left Santa Clara without a contract may tell us that Jennings is on course to play. The 49ers could still add Bourne, but if they do, I'm not sure there will be a place for him later in the season when Brandon Aiyuk and Demarcus Robinson return.
The hope is that Jennings is healthy and the calf injury doesn't turn into something more. The 49ers need him, especially during the first three weeks.
When the season ends, which rookie do you think will ultimately prove to have impacted the 49ers' season the most? - John P.
I don't expect it to be anyone on offense, so that leaves it to be between Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, C.J. West, and Upton Stout. You can include Marques Sigle and Nick Martin in there, as well.
Among that group, I think Stout will have the biggest impact. If he is the starting nickel corner, he will have a lot on his shoulders. If he handles it well, he will have the biggest impact of the rookies.
Who's your X-factor on the offense and defense for the 49ers on Sunday? - ShoqMax
My X-factor on offense this Sunday is George Kittle. The 49ers need to establish the run, and Kittle is the best run-blocking tight end in the game. But his biggest impact will be in the passing game. Seattle has had very few answers for Kittle in the past.
On defense, I'm going with Stout again. He'll have a big responsibility in the passing game, but his role in the run game may be just as important. The 49ers need to run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense.
What's your 49ers-Seahawks score prediction? - Dave B.
I reached out to Katie Mox, of CBS Sports, to get her take on how this game might turn out. In addition to being part of the national media, she's a 49ers fan, and she knows her stuff, especially when it comes to Vegas and the odds for each game.
Mox said, "The 49ers are the strong bet in Week 1 thanks to their stability and returning talent, led by Brock Purdy and Fred Warner. San Francisco enters as a slight favorite (-2.5) with a 58% win probability, while Seattle debuts Sam Darnold under center, a new coaching staff, and a long injury list.
"The 49ers' continuity and proven playmakers give them the edge to cover and win in Seattle, even with Lumen Field's home-field advantage."
I'm not sure how much of a home-field advantage Seattle will have, with 49ers' fans reportedly buying over half of the tickets for the game. But I'm sure they'll still pump in the noise at Lumen Field.
If Vegas (and Katie Mox) says the 49ers will cover and win, then I'm picking the 49ers...20-17. Yes, a Jake Moody field goal will win it.
Are the 49ers just playoff-bound or Super Bowl Champions? What is your realistic prediction of the 49ers' 2025 season? - Johnny Y.
Will the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl? - Tony H.
The 49ers will make the playoffs. I'm not picking them to win the Super Bowl, but if they make it into the postseason and remain relatively healthy, they will have a legitimate chance of winning the Super Bowl on their own field.
Last week, NFL writer Kyle Odegard, of Games Hub, sat down with Hall of Famer Patrick Willis and asked if he sees the 49ers being a contender this season. Willis answered, "Maybe by default, I'm faithful that they still have a unique group of veteran guys who have played a lot of football. I've noticed that when you're older, if you know where you have to be and know when to use it, it can really work in your favor. I'm looking at them being an older team, but, man, they've still got guys that can play really good football.
"If they can get some of those younger guys to come along strong and give them a strong supporting cast – or something more – then it can really work in their favor. So I'm optimistic, but you do have to go out and prove it."
That's a good summary of where the 49ers are. They have the experience and the talent, but they have to prove they're still one of the top teams.
Willis also said the 49ers' window is "getting thinner." But it is still open.
What are you liking and disliking about this season's opening 49ers roster? - Ed H.
What I like: Robert Saleh is back as defensive coordinator, and his defense will play like their hair is on fire. Offensively, Christian McCaffrey is back. Those are two huge returns.
Overall, this team is hungry. 2024 left a bad taste in their mouth, and they will play with a lot of intensity.
What I dislike: The wide receiver group is still too thin, and there may be a few rookies starting on defense. They'll get better, but their first NFL game, on the road in Seattle, will be a challenge.
I want to see a healthy rotation of running backs this year. Please tell me Coach will give a 60/40 ratio for them. CMC does not need to be on the field 100%. - Lowbridge
How much will the RBs rotate- will it be the CMC show with a few reps for others, or will it be a little more balanced? - Shawnna
I'm with you both. I hope that is Shanahan's plan, to use more Brian Robinson than they've used RB2 in the past. But I doubt it will be 60/40. It will be hard to take McCaffrey out of the game. But RB coach Bobby Turner will need to monitor the rotation and make sure to keep McCaffrey from being run into the ground. The 49ers need a healthy McCaffrey going into the postseason.
If the Niners miss the playoffs, it's time to trade Kyle for picks, right? - B.B.
I doubt that will happen, but if the team has another losing season, then Kyle Shanahan's seat may be warm for the 2026 season. If San Francisco has another bad year, it's likely due to injuries. So if that happens again, what do you do? Is that on the coach, the GM, the strength and conditioning team, the players, or just bad luck?
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back with a new one next week. Thank you for all your questions.