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 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 $38,767,176
- Biggest signing: TBD
- Biggest departure: TBD
- Most surprising move: TBD
- Biggest remaining need: Wide receiver
- Last updated: March 7 at 9 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 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.
Potential 49ers departures to watch
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.
P Eddy Pineiro, UFA
Will the Niners spend big money on a kicker? Or will they say "thanks" to Eddy Pineiro for salvaging their special teams last year but not opt to reward him for a career-best campaign?
San Francisco's prior traumas from the Jake Moody era might influence the decision.
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.
TE Jake Tonges, RFA
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.
Best targets remaining
WR Mike Evans
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 makes 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.
Age is a concern, and whether Evans truly wants to leave the Bucs is another question. But he'd be a true WR1 if San Francisco winds up being his landing spot.
DE Trey Hendrickson
The Cincinnati Bengals aren't expected to retain Trey Hendrickson, making him a prized free agent just a year removed from back-to-back 17.5-sack campaigns.
Despite being 31 years old, adding a player like Hendrickson would go a long way toward solving the 49ers' pass-rushing deficiencies. Not only would Hendrickson finally get the chance to play for a perennial contender, but he'd also arguably be the 49ers' No. 2 pass-rusher behind the younger Nick Bosa, meaning the elder veteran would frequently face opponents' second-tier blockers when trying to get to the quarterback.
Hendrickson will have no shortage of suitors, though.