Elite status demands a youth infusion. The 49ers face tough decisions as aging stars depart, signaling a vital roster evolution.
For years, the San Francisco 49ers have been built to win right now. That approach delivered multiple deep playoff runs, a Super Bowl appearance, and one of the most respected rosters in the NFL. But after another season derailed by injuries and capped off by a divisional round collapse, the harsh reality is becoming impossible to ignore. This roster is aging, and with age comes decline.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan all but acknowledged as much during his end-of-season press conference. While he didn’t single out names, the message was clear and mentioned things like the roster is no longer being the fast, explosive group that once overwhelmed opponents with speed and physicality.
San Francisco began addressing this issue in last year’s draft, particularly on defense, where younger players were asked to step into meaningful roles earlier than expected. Still, the process is far from complete. Many of the team’s cornerstone players are now on the other side of 30, and that reality is forcing the front office to think more strategically for the future.
That’s why a recent mock draft from NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah struck such a nerve.
With the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jeremiah has the 49ers selecting Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq which is a move that feels less about the future and more like a flashing warning sign.
At first glance, using a first-round pick on a tight end may seem unnecessary, even uncomfortable. But discomfort often accompanies truth. George Kittle, as beloved and productive as he has been, is entering his age-33 season and coming off a torn Achilles (one of the most difficult injuries to return from) especially for a player who plays the way he does.
Even if Kittle beats the odds and returns earlier than expected, the clock isn’t stopping. San Francisco can manage his 2026 cap hit, but the guarantees drop significantly the following year, opening the door for a transition that once seemed unthinkable.
And it’s not just Kittle.
Kyle Juszczyk, another long tenured fan favorite and All-Pro, is also nearing the end of his prime. The team already flirted with moving on last offseason before ultimately bringing him back. That silence (the hesitation) was deafening.
Jeremiah’s evaluation of Sadiq highlights exactly what the 49ers are missing more frequently now: speed.
Described as an undersized but explosive weapon with versatility as both a blocker and receiver, Sadiq represents the kind of modern, movable chess piece Shanahan covets. He also has the kind of athleticism that once defined this offense but has slowly eroded as veterans age.
This isn’t about pushing icons out the door especially prematurely. It’s about acknowledging that championship windows don’t close all at once. They tend to creak shut gradually, usually when teams wait too long to prepare for life after their stars.
The 49ers are still talented. They are still deeply competitive. But they are no longer young, and they can’t afford to keep pretending they are.
If San Francisco truly wants to remain a contender beyond the next season or two, the draft must be about replacing tomorrow’s production before today’s disappears. That may mean drafting players who don’t start right away. It may mean making peace with the idea that franchise legends don’t last forever.
Painful? Absolutely.
Necessary? Even more so.
If the 49ers don’t get faster and younger soon, the decline will come quickly.