The San Francisco 49ers had a nightmare season in 2024, but now that it’s over, there is a bit of optimism that they will return as legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2025.

They have brought back Robert Saleh to be their defensive coordinator, and they will have some decisions to make with some of their key players in the next few months.

With the offseason for the entire NFL just weeks away, there is a rumor that the Niners may have a shot at signing one of the top potential free agents.

“There’s buzz around the Senior Bowl that the 49ers may be ‘sleepers’ in the Tee Higgins sweepstakes if he reaches free agency, per 49ers Sports Talk,” JPAFootball wrote on X.

𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: There’s buzz around the Senior Bowl that the #49ers may be “sleepers” in the Tee Higgins sweepstakes if he reaches Free Agency, per @49ersSportsTalk pic.twitter.com/DsQ1hNdWqa

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 31, 2025

While San Francisco has one of the NFL’s most talented rosters on both sides of the football, it could be argued that it could use an upgrade at wide receiver.

Brandon Aiyuk, who led them in receiving yards in 2023, had a weak start to this season before tearing his ACL, and Deebo Samuel’s production continues to be up and down after his All-Pro campaign of 2021.

Higgins, who played this season under the Cincinnati Bengals’ franchise tag, could be the man to give San Francisco a major offensive boost.

It is thought he wants to leave Cincinnati not just for financial reasons but also because he wants to be a team’s No. 1 option, something that’s unlikely with Ja’Marr Chase holding that role for the Bengals.

However, with the Niners, Higgins could become just that.

In 12 games this season, he caught 73 passes for 911 yards, and his 10 receiving touchdowns were more than anyone on the Niners had during their injury-riddled 2024 campaign.

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