One of the main reasons why head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch didn't wind up on the hot seat following a disappointing last-place 6-11 campaign from 2024 is because the duo has successfully rebuilt and reconstructed San Francisco 49ers rosters before.
And they're expected to do so again, having already turned over a sizable chunk during the 2025 offseason.
A heavy reliance upon a rookie draft class is vital, as is reuniting with star defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
But that's not exactly why the folks over at Bleacher Report are predicting why the Niners bounce back from 2024 and win the NFC West this season.
That said, fans should be pleased with what B/R predicted for San Francisco in 2025.
Bleacher Report predicts 49ers win NFC West, but there's a catch
Predicting all 32 teams' records and finishes for the year, B/R's Moe Moton had no problem declaring San Francisco the winner of the NFC West with a 12-5 regular-season record, besting the Arizona Cardinals (10-7), Los Angeles Rams (9-8) and Seattle Seahawks (7-10) to regain mastery of the division.
Citing a last-place schedule, which happens to be the easiest in the NFL this season, in terms of last year's win-loss records, Moton didn't jump to that rookie class or Saleh's return as key X-factors.
Instead, the B/R analyst looked at three vital stars on whom the 49ers' success (or failure) will hinge: left tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy:
"Brock Purdy has dealt with elbow injuries early in his career, though he's been a full participant at practices. Left tackle Trent Williams is at full strength after missing the last seven games of the previous term with heel and ankle injuries. More importantly, running back Christian McCaffrey is a full go following an injury-plagued campaign. The 49ers will be a playoff team if those three starters suit up for most of the games."
"If those three" is a key component to note here.
McCaffrey missed all but four games a year ago following his 2023 Offensive Player of the Year accolade, while Williams was sidelined with those ankle injuries for much of 2024, too.
This points to a simple conclusion: The Niners offense needs those three figureheads to stay healthy in order to be effective. Otherwise, San Francisco's defense will have to shoulder the load, and it might not be equipped or experienced enough to do so, at least enough to secure the division crown.
So, the conclusion? A worst-to-first scenario is possible, perhaps even likely, as long as the trio of Williams, McCaffrey and Purdy stay healthy.
Let's hope so.