Some are ready to say that the San Francisco 49ers’ championship window has closed.
It makes sense why there’s some skepticism building. The 49ers are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season in which they finished in the NFC West cellar.
San Francisco has followed that frustrating finish by trading away star receiver Deebo Samuel, releasing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and defensive end Leonard Floyd and letting linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Charvarius Ward walk in free agency.
That’s a lot of turnover, production and star power on its way out. But, ESPN’s Dan Graziano isn’t ready to slam the 49ers’ Super Bowl window shut.
In his offseason NFL overreactions, Graziano pushed back against the idea that the 49ers’ championship window has closed.
This roster still includes Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Fred Warner, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk … you get the picture. A lot of good players. The coach is still Kyle Shanahan, too. It’s a well-run, high-functioning organization that has been a consistent contender when healthy. And only a year ago, it was one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Sure, the Niners are getting a little older. Sure, it’s going to be tougher once Purdy is no longer making less than $1 million per year. Sure, the Rams appear to be on the ascent, and it’s easy to like them, the Eagles, the Commanders and at least 75% of the NFC North better than the 49ers at this point. My point is San Francisco just doesn’t feel like the kind of team you want to overlook.
The Rams and Buccaneers each carried massive dead-money totals in the 2023 season and still made the playoffs. Same for the Broncos in 2024. Teams can reload on the fly in this league, and the 49ers still have their strong core. – Graziano, ESPN.
Healthy seasons for both Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams should go a long way in helping fix any of the 49ers’ offensive woes.
Plus, San Francisco has several young receivers to like in Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. Jennings is coming off a career year in which he hauled in 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns. Pearsall was the 49ers’ first-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft and the rookie from Florida showed some promise over San Francisco’s final two games.
Pearsall finished with 31 catches for 400 yards and three scores, including 210 yards and two scores on 14 catches in the 49ers’ final two games.
The 49ers needed a reset offseason in order to retool effectively for the future. With six selections in the 2025 NFL draft’s first four rounds and 11 picks overall, San Francisco can address some of its defensive losses, find another skill player or continue to restock its offensive trenches.
Fortunes can change in the NFL in a hurry and the 49ers hope they are the latest example of that in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: ESPN insider not buying ‘overreaction’ to 49ers slow offseason
