The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 NFL season hoping improved health will push them back into championship contention.
Injuries plagued nearly every position group last year, with cornerstone players such as Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Brock Purdy, and George Kittle all missing significant time. Despite those setbacks, the 49ers battled to a 12-5 record and eliminated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.
Their postseason run ended decisively at Lumen Field, where the eventual Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks delivered a lopsided defeat.
In Eric Edholm's post-Super Bowl power rankings for NFL.com, the Seahawks claim the No. 1 spot, followed by the Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 and the AFC champion New England Patriots at No. 3.
The 49ers land at No. 8, behind the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and Chicago Bears.
"The 49ers might technically have been a third-place team this season, but their standing here reflects the true value and potential of the team," Edholm wrote. "They came up short despite a valiant effort, and the Rams and Seahawks were the better teams down the stretch, yet there's a sense that the Niners will have a go-for-broke season again in 2026."
Edholm points to the 49ers' veteran—and aging—core as a major reason for optimism. Warner, Bosa, Kittle, Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and Kyle Juszczyk remain foundational pieces. Still, durability will be critical in a competitive NFC West that now features two of the league's top-ranked teams.
Edholm also noted that San Francisco could resist a potential Mac Jones trade this offseason, keeping him paired with Purdy after what he described as a successful quarterback tandem in 2025.
Ultimately, however, improvement is required.
"But to take a step up and challenge their division rivals for league supremacy, the 49ers must use what money they have to get stronger and faster," Edholm wrote.
With head coach Kyle Shanahan overseeing a proven roster and Raheem Morris stepping in as defensive coordinator, the foundation for success in 2026 is in place. Whether the 49ers can close the gap on their NFC West rivals will depend on how effectively they attack the offseason.
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