NFL Legend Shares Bold Prediction for 49ers' Season

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General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in 2024.

There are some around the NFL that feel the San Francisco 49ers took a further step back this off-season. But former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson isn’t one of them.

The Fox Sports commentator shared his belief that the Niners’ championship window is wide open despite their 6-11 season in 2024 and a mass exodus of players via free agency.

San Francisco lost valuable contributors Deebo Samuel, Leonard Floyd, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Hargraves and others after its disappointing 2024 season. The Niners have not added many notable free agents either, focusing on their draft and signing franchise quarterback Brock Purdy.

But Johnson, who of course was the first overall pick of the 1996 draft of the New York Jets and was a three-time Pro Bowler and won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, still feels the Niners should be in the mix to get back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.

Why Does Keyshawn Johnson Think The 49ers’ Championship Window Is Open?

Though the 49ers lost a significant number of brand-name players, Johnson cited the star-caliber players they still have on their roster — like tight end George Kittle, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

“You still got Christian McCaffrey, you still got Aiyuk, you still got [linebacker] Fred Warner, you still got Brock Purdy and Kittle and [left tackle] Trent Williams,” Johnson said on “Speak” on Tuesday. “You still got [defensive end Nick] Bosa and company, they’re still there.”

McCaffrey missed all but four games due to leg injuries last season, and Aiyuk, who held out for a contract during the preseason before tearing his ACL in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

So even though the 49ers defense blew fourth quarter lead after fourth-quarter lead, and Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders, their offense should be much more explosive in 2025.

“Everybody for the most part from the leadership standpoint is in place,” Johnson added. “In terms of the guy that they may miss the most, probably just Deebo.”

Who Did The 49ers Get To Replace Departed Free Agents?

The 49ers losing a slew of talented players was one of the marquee storylines during the free agency period. But they added secondary help in Siran Neal, Jason Pinnock, Tre Brown, Richie Grant then signed backup quarterback Mac Jones and veteran wideout Demarcus Robinson.

San Francisco also drafted for defensive needs, choosing six players on that side of the ball, including down-linemen Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins with its first two selections.

So between the star-caliber players on the roster, and the additions made by general manager John Lynch, Johnson feels the Niners are still built to win now.

“They didn’t lose the type of pieces that we think,” Johnson said. “They lost some numbers, but they replaced those numbers in free agency and through the draft. I don’t think they’re going to fall off at all. I think the culture’s still there and the window for the Super Bowl is still wide open.”

Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens