NFL.com analyst Dan Parr recently ranked eight teams capable of dethroning the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in 2026, placing the San Francisco 49ers fifth on the list.
Parr noted that sharing the NFC West with Seattle strengthens San Francisco's case, as the division rivals will meet twice during the regular season. The Los Angeles Rams topped Parr's rankings.
The 49ers and Seahawks met three times last season—twice during the regular season and once in the playoffs. San Francisco opened the year with a victory at Lumen Field but dropped the next two matchups, including a lopsided Divisional Round playoff loss. By then, however, the 49ers' roster had been heavily impacted by injuries.
"I can't imagine Kyle Shanahan's squad having worse health luck than it did in 2025, when ailments left tore through the roster on both sides of the ball," Parr wrote.
San Francisco is expected to get back veteran defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, the team's 2025 first-round draft pick. Both saw their seasons shortened by ACL injuries. The 49ers also strengthened the defensive front by acquiring defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
In addition, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner is expected to be fully healthy heading into the season, providing another major boost to the defense.
"It's easy to have faith in Shanahan's ability to put one of the league's better offenses on the field week in and week out after watching him navigate injuries to Brock Purdy and other key contributors on that side of the ball in 2025," Parr wrote. "It's going to be fun to see what he can do with Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle (coming off an Achilles tear), and blockbuster addition Mike Evans, if they can all stay on the field."
We'll see if it's enough to keep pace with the Seahawks and Rams in one of the NFL's toughest divisions.
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