Few things went well in 2024 for the San Francisco 49ers. For the second year in a row, they ranked fourth in passing yards yet they failed to make the playoffs last season.
There are plenty of reasons behind this. The 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, running back Christian McCaffrey, failed to stay healthy. He wasn't the only one, though, as McCaffrey's primary backup entering the season, Jordan Mason, also missed time in the second half of the year, and then-rookie Isaac Guerendo both missed multiple games, too.
Regardless of those circumstances, the Niners ranked near the middle of the pack with the 12th-best run offense in terms of rushing yards per game (127.2).
San Francisco is no longer with Mason or Elijah Mitchell, as the former was traded to the Minnesota Vikings while Mitchell left in free agency after missing the entire 2024 season because of injury.
How can 49ers rushing offense do better in 2025?
When the NFL released its schedule for the upcoming season, the 49ers benefited from having the easiest strength of schedule. Their opponents' combined record last year was 120-169 (.415).
In addition to that perk, three of the AFC South teams the Niners will play ranked in the bottom 10 last season in rush yards allowed. Four more of their opponents (Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants) also finished in the bottom 10 of the same category.
Their in-division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, ranked 11th worst with 130 rushing yards allowed per game. San Francisco plays the Rams twice every year, thus making that nine games against last season's 10 worst rushing defenses.
To support the 49ers run game is their passing offense. San Francisco ranked fourth in the league the past two seasons in total passing yards. Quarterback Brock Purdy will see all of his main targets return this year with the exception of now-Washington Commanders wide receivert Deebo Samuel.
Lastly, McCaffrey missed significant time last season as he only appeared in four games, which resulted in having his lowest season rushing yards total with just 202 yards, and he failed to reach the end zone for the first time in any one year. General manager John Lynch even recently described McCaffrey as "looking explosive," however, with the 2025 season on the horizon.
2reasons why 49ers' running game could be worse this year
For starters, the injury bug is always a factor to consider. Just take a look at San Francisco's locker room from last season and in 2020 -- two seasons it failed to make the playoffs in recent years.
Secondly, there are two opponents who supported a top-12 defense in terms of rushing yards allowed. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the fourth stingiest with 97.8 rushing yards allowed per game, while the Houston Texans ranked 11th with an average of 114.0 yards surrendered per game.
Aside from those two notions, if McCaffrey stays healthy and Guerendo can improve on his 84 carries, 420 yards, and four touchdowns during his rookie season, the Niners' run game might even eclipse their aerial attack.
But that remains to be seen.