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John Lynch signs autographs prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks on October 10, 2024.
Despite a roster that was home to some of the best players in football, the San Francisco 49ers struggled mightily in 2024, going 6-11 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Injuries to most of the 49ers best players, defensive collapses in the fourth quarter of games, a tough schedule, and bad luck all contributed to the difficult year in San Francisco.
Coming into the 2025 offseason, the 49ers had a difficult task to juggle in regards to how their roster shaped up for 2025 and beyond. San Francisco was faced with a multitude of decisions on which stars to retain in free agency and which stars to sign to contract extensions, and in contrast, which stars may have needed to be allowed to leave due to salary cap constraints.
To the relief of 49ers fans, general manager John Lynch thinks the 49ers executed well on the mission they had heading into the offseason.
“Some twists and turns, but we executed a plan that we needed to,” Lynch said in an interview with Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area’s 49ers talk. “Was really excited with the way it all came together.”
Who did the 49ers Lose this Offseason?
Back on March 14, 2025, CBS reported that other NFL teams spent a record $321 million on former 49ers free agents, the largest total in NFL history.
Lynch referenced this in his interview with Maiocco, highlighting that significant talent departed from the 49ers but also how impossible it would have been to keep all of the stars on the 2024 roster around.
All in all, the 49ers lost 27 notable players from their 2024 roster. The vast majority of those departed as free agents or were released including OG Aaron Banks, LB Dre Greenlaw, CB Charvarius Ward and S Talanoa Hufanga. The 49ers also traded away WR Deebo Samuel and RB Jordan Mason, and lost two players to retirement.
Many 49ers fans were sad to see some of their favorite players depart, and with so many of the most reputable 49ers in new uniforms ahead of next season, they wondered if the team could still rebound and make the playoffs again in 2025.
Who Did the 49ers Add this Offseason?
The 49ers’ free agent losses become even more stark in contrast to their 2025 free agent additions.
The 49ers added basically no notable free agents in the 2025 class; they signed TE Luke Farrell to a three-year deal to be the No. 2 tight end behind George Kittle, which was essentially their biggest signing.
Most of the 49ers money this offseason went towards signing franchise cornerstones to extensions. QB Brock Purdy, LB Fred Warner, and Kittle all received massive deals to keep them in 49ers colors for a very long time.
The 49ers also brought back fan-favorite FB Kyle Juszczyk a few days after it appeared he was going to be released.
Their biggest addition was likely on the coaching staff, where they lured defensive coordinator Robert Saleh back for his second tenure in San Francisco.
There are many rookies that San Francisco added via the draft that could turn into stars as well including Mykel Williams, Nick Martin and Jordan Watkins.
And of course, back from the injury bug will be OT Trent Williams, RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Brandon Aiyuk, whom the 49ers extended last offseason. Aiyuk also just received a promising injury update from Lynch.
With many of the biggest stars still donning the red and gold, 49ers fans likely will feel better when their team hits the field in 2025, especially if some of the young and unproven players develop into stars.
Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy sports. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman
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