The San Francisco 49ers face no shortage of challenges this offseason, specifically after overcoming an injury-plagued 2025 campaign but nevertheless advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs.
At the same time, amid cap concerns and a desire to get both younger and cheaper, it's not wholly clear exactly how general manager John Lynch and Co. will approach free agency. True, only a handful of pending free agents the Niners may potentially lose are of the serious-impact variety. But, those possible losses could be awfully difficult to replace.
Especially if San Francisco steers clear of making any big-name splashes, which was certainly the modus operandi a year ago at this time.
Either way, expect things to be busy when the NFL new year kicks off, and be sure to bookmark this page for all your 49ers updates, insight and analysis regarding free-agent frenzies.
On this page
- 49ers free agency snapshot (at a glance)
- 49ers major signings and moves
- 49ers depth signings and minor moves
- Potential 49ers departures to watch
- Best targets remaining
- More on 49ers free agency
49ers free agency snapshot (at a glance)
- Cap space remaining:Â $16,094,894
- Biggest signing: WR Mike Evans
- Biggest departure: KR/PR Skyy Moore
- Most surprising move: Re-signing Eddy Pineiro
- Biggest remaining need: Edge rusher
- Last updated: March 12 at 11:53 a.m. ET
Two positions could classify as the Niners' top offseason needs: wide receiver and defensive end, specifically in light of both Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings likely having played their final snaps in San Francisco, while the defense registered a league-low 20 sacks last season.
That said, the 49ers need to fortify the secondary, find some younger core pieces and potentially look for an heir apparent to future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams.
Read more: Full list of 49ers pending free agents for 2026
49ers major signings and moves
WR Mike Evans, UFA
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans is coming off his first sub-1,000-yard campaign last year because of injuries, but his ability to produce with an array of different quarterbacks made him an enticing free-agent target.
Plus, in light of opposing defenses not fearing too many of the Niners' big-play threats a year ago, Evans' would-be presence could finally round out Shanahan's offense to the point of big-play ability.
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the future Hall of Famer is switching coasts to join the red and gold on a three-year deal.
Age is a concern, but he's a true WR1 for San Francisco right out of the gate.
DL Osa Odighizuwa, trade
The 49ers clearly needed help for their defensive line, too. And while free agency didn't provide any initial moves, Lynch managed to execute a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for five-year pro defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, sending a third-round pick back to Dallas in exchange.
Odighizuwa, 27 years old, managed 17 sacks over his five-year Cowboys tenure, also logging 34 tackles for a loss and 81 quarterback hits.
This should go a long way toward addressing the Niners' D-line shortcomings from a year ago.
P Eddy Pineiro, UFA
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Niners were committing big bucks -- four years up to $17 million -- to retain last year's hero kicker, Eddy Pineiro.
Pineiro was key in San Francisco's special teams turnaround a year ago, but it's fair to scoff a bit at spending so much cash on a specialist with other needs easily more pressing
San Francisco's prior traumas from the Jake Moody era might influence the decision.
49ers depth signings and minor moves
49ers won't tender DL Kalia Davis
According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Niners aren't planning to tender restricted free-agent defensive lineman Kalia Davis, likely opting not to pay the cost associated with RFA tenders.
It's possible San Francisco aims to retain the reserve interior lineman at a cheaper cost if he doesn't sign elsewhere.
LS Jon Weeks re-signed
Special teams showed improvement last year over 2024, so retaining long-snapper Jon Weeks should go toward that continuity.
49ers sign OL Vederian Lowe
With Williams' future uncertain, the 49ers at least moved to act by grabbing former New England Patriots backup lineman Vederian Lowe on a two-year deal, as reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
It's a two-year deal worth up to $12 million for a lineman who has 25 starts over his four-year NFL career.
49ers sign OL Brett Toth
While Lowe might help on the outside, the reported one-year deal for former Philadelphia Eagles interior lineman Brett Toth gives a little bit of depth to the middle of the Niners offensive line.
San Francisco has a void at left guard, and Toth immediately has a chance to start after primarily being a role player.
TE Jake Tonges gets re-signed over RFA tender
Jake Tonges showed up out of nowhere last season after George Kittle's hamstring injury, and while the former's run-blocking efforts need some work, at least the undrafted backup tight end proved he can be a valuable backup to Kittle.
That matters with Kittle potentially missing a chunk of 2026 after tearing his Achilles last January, and according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the undrafted free agent is back on a two-year deal instead of having to go through a restricted free-agent tender process.
Potential 49ers departures to watch
LT Trent Williams
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, San Francisco might be willing to trade Williams if the current contractual impasse continues.
Williams, the future Hall of Famer who has held down his spot on the offensive line with the 49ers since 2020, will count for $39 million against the cap this season. Yet the Niners' lack of a backup plan means he has tremendous leverage as he looks to prolong his top-end value.
Schefter subsequently reported the 49ers were allowing Williams' camp to explore trade options, albeit ones that'd satisfy the Niners' asking price, suggesting it'd be hard for all three parties to get what they want, meaning Williams could easily stay put.
WR Brandon Aiyuk, Reserve/Left Squad
Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan essentially announced Brandon Aiyuk would be let go at the start of the new year, and the only remaining question is how after the receiver opted to go AWOL in the middle of last season.
Maybe another team comes in with a trade offer, but it seems likeliest the Niners will simply go with an outright release.
WR Jauan Jennings, UFA
San Francisco would like to retain Jennings in light of their receiving shortages entering 2026, yet "Third and Jauan" likely priced himself out of the 49ers' comfort range.
After a tenuous contract standoff last offseason, it'd make sense if Jennings aims to cash in on a lucrative deal elsewhere.
WR Kendrick Bourne, UFA
The 49ers don't win their first bout against the Los Angeles Rams without Kendrick Bourne's 142-yard performance. And while his numbers gradually declined as the season rolled along, he nevertheless indicated a desire to return.
If the Niners want an established veteran to mentor some young receivers, Bourne would be the guy to do it.
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, though, other teams were expressing interest in Bourne, and . the Arizona Cardinals subsequently landed the receiver on a two-year deal.
Departure: Signed with Cardinals.
WR Skyy Moore, UFA
Wide receiver Skyy Moore wasn't a massive piece of the offense last season after being picked up in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, but the 2022 Round 2 draftee certainly impacted the upward trajectory of San Francisco's special teams by averaging 27.5 yards per kickoff return.
According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, he's off to the Green Bay Packers on a one-year deal.
Departure: Signed with Packers.
DT Jordan Elliott, UFA
After spending two seasons in the Bay Area, veteran defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is reuniting with now-Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh on a two-year deal, as reported by Schefter.
Departure: Signed with Titans.
DE Robert Beal Jr., UFA
San Francisco didn't tender defensive end Robert Beal Jr., allowing him to hit the open market.
Departure: Signed with Dolphins.
Best targets remaining
DB Jaquan Brisker
San Francisco has a sneaky-but-real need at safety in light of Ji'Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha not quite having exemplary campaigns last year, and both are typically more built toward in-the-box roles anyway.
It'll be interesting to see how coordinator Raheem Morris views this role, but the 49ers could benefit from adding a versatile defensive back who can play over the top.
That's what four-year pro Jaquan Brisker can do, having displayed plenty of that during his career with the Chicago Bears, logging seven sacks, 21 passes defended and four interceptions over 52 games played, all of them starts.