The San Francisco 49ers have a busy offseason ahead of them, as they’re currently looking to sort out their coaching staff ahead of free agency, which will be a crucial period in helping retool the roster for the 2025 season.

However, part of that retooling could be the 49ers retaining some of their current unrestricted free agents, and San Francisco has a number of them.

So, let’s go through the top group of players and see who San Francisco should consider bringing back and who they should let walk.

Dre Greenlaw: San Francisco’s most important free agent is arguably the biggest wildcard in free agency. Greenlaw’s absence was definitely missed this year as he recovered from a torn Achilles, but he also dealt with Achilles issues late in the season.

It’s tough to rely on him with the injury concerns, but the 49ers should welcome him back if he’s available on a prove-it one-year deal. That depends on how the market goes.

Charvarius Ward: It’s seeming likelier and likelier that Ward will not be a 49er in 2024. The 49ers first drafted Renardo Green and signed Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year extension. Then, Ward dealt with an unimaginable tragedy during the season that he acknowledged weighed on him in a psychological way.

While his market may be lower than what it would’ve been after 2023, Ward should still have a number of suitors and could get a good two-year deal elsewhere.

Javon Hargrave: The 49ers are releasing Hargrave with a post-June 1st move, but could still bring him back at a cheaper price. However, I don’t expect them to, as the move didn’t fit very well with their defensive scheme.

While Hargrave had good flashes as a pass-rusher, he didn’t improve as a run defender and is now coming off a torn triceps injury heading into his age-32 season. It feels best that both sides move on here.

Aaron Banks: This pick will always be a “what could have been” as the 49ers had Creed Humphrey available, but bypassed him for Banks. Now, Banks was a fine starter for the 49ers, but struggled in each of the past two seasons and seems on his way out.

Given how offensive linemen get hefty contracts in free agency, Banks could get a commanding salary on the open market. And I don’t think the 49ers view him in that way, making sense for both sides to move forward.

Talanoa Hufanga: After an All-Pro season in 2022, Hufanga dealt with a torn ACL in 2023 and a variety of injuries in 2024. But, his play slipped as well over the past two seasons, as he struggled in coverage, while missing a good amount of tackles and being inconsistent with angles.

San Francisco hasn’t seen great play from Ji’Ayir Brown either, which is why he was benched in favor of Malik Mustapha, so they need a safety. But, they might be better off either looking for another veteran option or heading to the draft for a replacement.

There aren’t many players that the 49ers should consider bringing back in 2024 who are impending free agents. Of the bunch, Dre Greenlaw makes the most sense.

But, the team could be wiping the slate clean here in 2025, signifying a change with the franchise.