The San Francisco 49ers find themselves at a crossroads as they enter the 2025 offseason, having finished with a 6-1 record that still saw them lagging behind rivals like the Dallas Cowboys and the laughingstock Carolina Panthers. The discussions revolve around whether the team is in a retooling phase or simply needs to run it back with minor adjustments. Key unrestricted free agents such as Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga loom large in these discussions, with the potential impact of their departures weighing heavily on the team's future.
The 49ers' strategy for the offseason will hinge on careful decisions regarding free agency and the upcoming draft. While some players like Sam Okanu and Evan Anderson are expected to return, the fate of others, including Greenlaw, remains uncertain. Injury concerns and market dynamics could play crucial roles in these decisions, especially as the team assesses its linebacker needs against its limited salary cap space.