The 49ers Are Close: Here’s What They Must Fix in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers finished the 2025 season with a 12–5 record and a trip to the NFC Divisional Round. On paper, it looked like another step forward.

Then the season unraveled in Seattle.

Thirteen seconds into the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers’ Super Bowl hopes were effectively over, and by the end of the night, the gap between San Francisco and the true NFC contenders was impossible to ignore.

While the 49ers split their regular-season matchups against the Seahawks and Rams, the final three meetings, including the postseason, told a different story. Los Angeles and Seattle swept San Francisco down the stretch by a combined score of 96–35, exposing flaws that were masked during the regular season.

The 2025 49ers were good enough to beat teams they were supposed to beat, but not good enough to consistently challenge teams that were better than them. The 13 teams San Francisco defeated (including postseason) finished with a combined winning percentage of .434, while the six teams that beat the 49ers posted a combined .716 winning percentage.

That context matters entering the 2026 offseason. The 49ers are close, but not close enough. There are clear roster holes that must be addressed if San Francisco wants to enter the Super Bowl conversation for the 2026 season.

Here’s a ranking of the 49ers’ offseason needs for 2026, from smallest to biggest.

Injuries defined much of the 49ers’ 2025 season, but none loom larger for 2026 than George Kittle’s Achilles injury. Kittle’s status for next season remains uncertain, and even if he returns, expecting a 33-year-old tight end to immediately regain elite form after such an injury is risky.

Jake Tonges proved to be a serviceable stopgap in 2025. After entering the season with zero career receptions, Tonges delivered four games with at least five catches and four games with 50 or more receiving yards. He’s not Kittle, but he was competent.

Still, San Francisco could look to add competition through the draft or free agency. The tight end market includes names like David Njoku, Kyle Pitts, and Isaiah Likely, while Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq has already been mocked to the 49ers at No. 27.

It’s not a top priority, but it’s a situation worth monitoring.

Just a few years ago, wide receiver felt like one of the 49ers’ strongest position groups. Now, it’s not.

Brandon Aiyuk is gone and Jauan Jennings is headed for free agency. While Jennings scored nine touchdowns, he didn’t necessarily cement himself as a true WR1.

Ricky Pearsall showed flashes but couldn’t stay on the field, playing in just nine games due to a lingering knee injury. Kendrick Bourne, signed midseason, ended up outproducing Pearsall despite never eclipsing 50 yards in a game.

The good news? This is a fixable problem. The trade market, free agency (Alec Pierce stands out), and a deep draft class all offer solutions. Even the idea of a Deebo Samuel reunion can’t be ruled out entirely.

The wide receiver room needs fresh blood but compared to other needs, it’s not at the top of the list. Wide receivers are a dime a dozen compared to other positions on the field. 

Despite injuries across the defense, the cornerback group struggled even when healthy.

Deommodore Lenoir’s first full season as an outside corner was hit or miss. He allowed a 99.8 passer rating when targeted, surrendered five touchdowns, and committed 10 penalties, which has him tied for fifth-most among cornerbacks.

Renardo Green regressed after a promising rookie year, to the point where he was benched in the Divisional Round. Darrell Luter wasn’t much better in extended action, and while rookie nickel corner Upton Stout flashed upside, he also endured predictable growing pains.

The 49ers could roll into 2026 with Lenoir, Green, and Stout but they shouldn’t. Depth and competition are badly needed, especially under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

The safety position became one of the defense’s weakest links in 2025, it was exposed even more so because of the glaring linebacker injuries.

Malik Mustapha took a major step backward in Year 2, allowing a higher completion percentage, more yards per reception, and leading the team with 16 missed tackles. His positioning issues consistently led to explosive plays.

Ji’Ayir Brown flashed at times and Jason Pinnock and Marques Sigle were stopgaps at best.

Under Raheem Morris, who coached elite safety play in Atlanta with Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts, this position could see real change. The 49ers may stick with their young core, but improvement is necessary from this group.

The numbers are brutal.

The 49ers finished the 2025 season with just 20 total sacks, fewer than Myles Garrett recorded by himself and fewer than the New York Jets as a team.

Injuries to Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams explain part of the problem. Even without Bosa, the Cowboys managed 35 sacks after trading Micah Parsons before the season.

Bryce Huff and Clelin Ferrell combined for eight sacks. Sam Okuayinonu and Keion White showed flashes but were overexposed in expanded roles.

The return of Bosa and Williams will help, but the 49ers need more. A blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby would be the ultimate solution. If that’s unrealistic, free agency options like Trey Hendrickson or Dre’Mont Jones could stabilize the pass rush.

Regardless of the route, defensive end remains a massive need.

This is the biggest question of the entire offseason.

Everything hinges on Trent Williams. If Williams returns for a 16th season, the 49ers can survive another year without fully addressing left tackle. If he retires, finding his replacement becomes priority No. 1 immediately.

Even assuming Williams is back, left guard is a major issue. Spencer Burford is a free agent and likely priced out. Ben Bartch missed 10 games due to injury. Connor Colby struggled in six starts.

The right side appears stable with Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz, but the left side is a mystery. Veteran options like Joel Bitonio could provide short-term stability, but this line needs long-term answers.

The offensive line has been an evergreen problem for San Francisco, and in 2026, it’s impossible to ignore any longer.

If the 49ers want to close the gap between themselves and the NFC’s elite, it starts in the trenches.