The 2025 NFL season is officially complete after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi's Stadium. With Super Bowl LX in the books, attention has already shifted toward 2026—and ESPN wasted no time releasing its early NFL power rankings for next season.
Unsurprisingly, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks claimed the No. 1 spot, followed by the runner-up Patriots. The San Francisco 49ers checked in at No. 6, trailing the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner pointed to a season that, in many ways, exceeded expectations for head coach Kyle Shanahan's team despite the adversity it faced.
"The 49ers exceeded expectations by finishing 12-5 and winning a road playoff game after a massive roster overhaul and a series of devastating injuries," Wagoner wrote. "Given how 2025 went, it's time for them to go hunting for more star power."
Despite the strong finish, questions remain about the roster's long-term outlook. The 49ers' core is aging, with Nick Bosa entering his eighth NFL season, Fred Warner his ninth, and both George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey entering their 10th. Bosa, Warner, and Kittle are also working their way back from injuries, adding another layer of uncertainty heading into 2026.
Wagoner noted that quarterback Brock Purdy and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir have emerged as foundational pieces for the next era in San Francisco. Now, the team just needs to add to that younger core.
"Only quarterback Brock Purdy and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir have established themselves as part of the next foundation, which means it's on the Niners to find more -- whether by draft, trade, or signing -- to sustain success," Wagoner added. "The pass rush and receiver groups, in particular, need significant attention."
San Francisco proved that it can remain competitive amid adversity, but closing the gap on teams like Seattle will require roster upgrades.
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