General Manager John Lynch will have his work cut out for him this offseason as he prepares the 2026 roster.
The 49ers’ 2025 season ultimately ended in disappointment with a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, a result that fell short of the organization’s championship expectations.
Injuries once again played a defining role in shaping the year. The 49ers were forced to navigate extended absences across the roster, most notably the loss of Brandon Aiyuk for the entire season.
Those setbacks required constant adjustments and an aggressive approach to roster management, with San Francisco relying heavily on depth players and short-term solutions just to stay competitive.
Now that the playoff run is over, the focus shifts to an offseason that could bring significant change.
The combination of injury-related spending, in-season roster moves, and long-term financial commitments has tightened the team’s flexibility.
As a result, several contributors who are set to reach free agency may be difficult to retain, even if the coaching staff values their roles within the system.
The coming months will force the 49ers’ front office to make difficult decisions about who fits into the next phase of Shanahan’s vision.
Balancing continuity with cap realities will be critical as San Francisco looks to regroup, reload, and position itself for another run in 2026, this time to turn postseason heartbreak into sustained success.
Below are the 49ers' free agents as they head into the offseason:
- G Ben Bartch
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- LT Spencer Burford
- DL Kalia Davis
- DL Jordan Elliott
- LB Luke Gifford
- DL Kevin Givens
- ED Yetur Gross-Matos
- C Matt Hennessy
- LB Tarron Jackson
- WR Jauan Jennings
- CB Chase Lucas
- WR Skyy Moore
- P Thomas Morstead
- ED Sam Okuayinonu
- K Eddy Pineiro
- CB Jason Pinnock
- RT Austen Pleasants
- RB Brian Robinson
- RB Patrick Taylor
- WR Trent Taylor
- TE Jake Tonges
- LS Jon Weeks
San Francisco is expected to enter the offseason in a strong financial position. Spotrac projects the 49ers to have close to $50 million in cap room, a figure that gives the front office rare flexibility.
That cushion opens the door for potential outside additions, but just as importantly, it allows the team to reward in-house players who helped hold things together during an injury-riddled 2025 season.
General manager John Lynch now faces the challenge of deciding which contributors are essential to keep as the roster turns the page toward 2026.
Two names that should stand out in those discussions are Jauan Jennings and Jake Tonges.
Prioritizing the retention of dependable contributors like Jennings and Tonges would reinforce the roster’s foundation and give San Francisco a steadier platform as it looks to rebound and contend again in 2026.