Roster Reality Check: Six 49ers Unlikely to Return in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers aren’t headed for the kind of dramatic roster purge that defined their 2025 offseason, but that doesn’t mean continuity is guaranteed across the board. Even with a relatively healthy salary cap outlook and no massive extensions looming, roster turnover is inevitable for a team that’s constantly trying to balance contention with sustainability. San Francisco enters the 2026 offseason with flexibility, which allows them to be selective. The front office can focus on refining the roster. 

As the 49ers look toward another Super Bowl push, several familiar faces appear unlikely to be part of the plan moving forward. Here are six players who have likely played their final snaps in red and gold:

Aiyuk’s tenure in San Francisco is over. After a disappointing season and the team’s decision to waive the remaining guarantees on his contract, the writing is on the wall. A trade would be ideal, but market interest is expected to be limited given the financial considerations. More likely, the 49ers will move on via release once the new league year begins, closing the door on what once looked like a long-term promising partnership.

Jones’ future is a bit more complicated. He showed more than enough in eight starts during the 2025 season to draw interest around the league. His cap hit is manageable, making him affordable to retain, but that same affordability also increases his trade appeal. With the 49ers still prioritizing draft capital and youth, moving Jones for picks could be too tempting to pass up if the right offer emerges.

When healthy, Gross-Matos provided solid snaps along the defensive line, but availability remained a constant issue. Knee problems plagued his time in San Francisco, and additional hip and hamstring injuries in 2025 limited him to just eight games. The 49ers were forced to carefully manage his workload when he did play, and as he heads into unrestricted free agency, it may be time for both sides to turn the page.

Givens’ story was a great one, he came as an undrafted free agent who carved out a role and stuck around longer than expected. But as San Francisco reshapes its defensive front, Givens seems to be the odd man out. He appeared in only five games last season and spent stretches as a healthy scratch. With the team prioritizing youth and versatility up front, his path back to the roster looks narrow.

The 49ers spent a fourth-round pick on Guerendo hoping to inject speed and explosiveness into the backfield, but that vision never materialized. Despite a clear need for juice in the run game, Guerendo struggled to earn meaningful snaps. The midseason decision to trade for another running back spoke volumes about where he stood on the depth chart. While he’s still young, his trajectory suggests he’s no longer part of the team’s long-term plans.

Robinson was brought in to provide physicality and versatility. He flashed at times, showing that those moments may have been too infrequent to justify a return. As he hits unrestricted free agency, it’s hard to see the 49ers bringing him back with other roster needs and potential upgrades available.