Anytime analysts evaluate the San Francisco 49ers' chances of contending in 2025, one of the first topics that comes up is the significant roster turnover from this offseason. Yes, the team lost several key veteran contributors. Still, it also infused the roster with high-upside youth, hoping the blend of experience and fresh energy will spark a bounce-back campaign after a disappointing 6-11 season.
"Hey, change is a good thing," fullback Kyle Juszczyk told The Athletic's Vic Tafur during the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.
And it's not like the 49ers are starting from scratch. The core of All-Pro and Pro Bowl talent remains intact—players who have helped lead the team to deep playoff runs in recent years.
"And we still have a good combination of change and centerpieces," Juszczyk said. "You still got Fred Warner and Nick Bosa and Brock [Purdy] and George [Kittle] and Christian [McCaffrey], myself, Jauan [Jennings] … I could list a ton of names of guys that have made some huge plays for this team over the last four or five years that are still right here and still playing at a high level.
"And then it's good to inject some new blood in there. It is kind of a young man's league, so you need some young guys to come in and make contributions. That's a big role for us this year, bringing those guys along quickly."
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Tight end George Kittle, also participating in the celebrity golf tournament, echoed Juszczyk's comments about the importance of helping the younger players get up to speed fast.
"It's just [up to] us to uphold the standard and get those guys as game-ready as quickly as possible," Kittle said.
He added, "I'm expecting a lot of them to contribute at a high level."
Juszczyk's unexpected offseason and renewed perspective
Juszczyk's future with the team wasn't always clear. In March, the 49ers released the veteran fullback in what appeared to be a cost-saving move. Surprisingly, the team re-signed him just days later. The experience left a mark.
"It was the worst three days of my life," Juszczyk said, adding that the ordeal gave him a new appreciation for his role in San Francisco.
"It gave me so much perspective to kind of step back and see how good I had it — and then get the chance to come back to it," he said. "So few people have that opportunity."
Although, Juszczyk admitted that receiving countless goodbye and appreciation texts from colleagues, only to return quickly, was a unique experience.
"We jokingly called it a living funeral," he said.
High hopes for the 2025 season
While the 49ers have their share of outside skeptics, Juszczyk is confident in the team's outlook this season.
"I feel great about where the offense is," he said. "I think we had one of the best summers that we've had in a long time. Everybody was there (at workouts), the camaraderie was through the roof. I love the guys that we added. I feel really good about where we're at."
One area Juszczyk doesn't have to worry about is the quarterback position. The 49ers locked in Brock Purdy with a massive five-year, $265 million contract extension, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid players.
Asked if the new deal changes the expectations around Purdy, Juszczyk responded, "Not really, just because we all expected last year that he was going to get paid. But his expectations are always gonna be high for himself, and it's always going to be more each year. But we just expect Brock to do what he's been doing."
Another key piece returning to full strength is running back Christian McCaffrey, who was limited to just four games during an injury-plagued 2024 season.
"Christian is arguably the best player in the NFL," Juszczyk said. "He was the offensive player of the year two years ago. He changes everything, and he looks incredible. He looks so healthy, he looks so explosive."
A Super Bowl dream at home
Levi's Stadium is set to host Super Bowl LX in February 2026, giving the 49ers a rare opportunity to play for a championship on their home turf. That possibility hasn't been ignored within the locker room.
"I think we've been talking about it since we found out two years ago or whatever," Juszczyk said. "That's the dream scenario, that it ends there. And I hope that's how it works out. But, it's July and I've got to give you the classic, 'We can't look that far ahead. … It's all about training camp in two weeks.'"