The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, one marred by injuries and costly mistakes that ultimately landed them in last place in the NFC West. Luck wasn't on their side in 2024, and their struggles were evident throughout the campaign.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Mason Cameron recently evaluated the NFC West and each team's offseason priorities. While injuries played a major role in the 49ers' downfall, one glaring issue stood out—run defense.


A defense that struggled against the run


"The 49ers surrendered the seventh-worst EPA per rush allowed," Cameron wrote. "Getting to ball carriers before they reached the second level was a particular struggle, as the unit allowed 1.5 yards before contact per attempt (25th in the NFL)."

San Francisco's defense earned a 54.6 run-defense grade from PFF, ranking 28th in the league—the lowest of the Kyle Shanahan era. The team also allowed 24 rushing touchdowns, second only to the Dallas Cowboys (25).

Now, the 49ers hope a return to Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator will restore discipline and aggressiveness, bringing stability back to a unit that faltered last season. However, with lingering questions along the defensive line, fixing those flaws won't be easy.

Free agency challenges


With several key players expected to depart in free agency, San Francisco faces a pivotal offseason. The team has benefited from quarterback Brock Purdy's rookie contract, which allowed for salary cap flexibility over the past three years. However, that window is closing.

Purdy is on track to become one of the NFL's highest-paid players, significantly impacting the 49ers' ability to spend elsewhere. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will no longer have the luxury of aggressively reinforcing the roster through free agency.


Cameron believes the team may need to pivot toward cost-effective veteran signings. However, that may include a fan-favorite linebacker potentially returning.

"Finding cost-effective veterans to sign on short-term, 'prove-it' deals may be the team's only avenue, and luckily, they have a quality player in-house who could warrant such a contract: Dre Greenlaw," Cameron wrote. "He missed the majority of 2024 while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered [during Super Bowl 58] but was previously excellent."

Beyond Greenlaw, several key contributors could be playing elsewhere in 2025. The secondary is expected to undergo major changes, with All-Pros Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga set to hit free agency. Starting left guard Aaron Banks will test the market, and both of Purdy's backups—Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs—are also set to become free agents.

With limited financial flexibility, the 49ers will need to maximize their draft picks, replenishing the roster with younger, more affordable talent to rebound from a disappointing 2024 and compete in the NFC.

Follow us on: X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram

Read Original Article
Visit 49ers Webzone

More San Francisco 49ers News