Following a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024, the San Francisco 49ers will look a lot different heading into the 2025 campaign, as the team parted ways with a plethora of players, a list that includes offensive guard Aaron Banks (Packers), cornerback Charvarius Ward (Colts), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Vikings), safety Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Broncos), and linebacker Leonard Floyd (Falcons), among others.
And that's not to mention the trade of wideout Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
Samuel was set to be the biggest name on the list of 49ers players set to hit free agency in 2026, but that's obviously no longer the case.
That honor now belongs to none other than wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who enjoyed a career year in 2024, catching 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns.
In his previous three seasons, the 2020 seventh-round selection (he didn't take a single snap as a rookie) recorded 78 receptions for 963 yards and seven scores, adding another 20 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown in nine postseason games.
So, last year was clearly a breakout season for Jennings. And as such, the 28-year-old is seemingly set to take the Brandon Aiyuk route, as he reportedly wants a contract extension before the upcoming season starts or a trade if he doesn't get one.
Jennings signed a two-year extension worth up to $15.39 million in May of last year, with $10.54 million in guaranteed money. He's obviously looking for a lot more, but we'll just have to wait and see how all of this plays out.
Outside of Jennings, the most notable name on the Niners' roster set to hit free agency next spring is probably starting right tackle Colton McKivitz, who signed a one-year, $7 million extension to remain in San Francisco this past March.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who joined the 49ers a season ago after four years with the Cleveland Browns, is arguably the biggest name on the defensive side of the ball. Fellow defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos is the highest-paid player on the list, as the former Detroit Lion has the sixth-highest cap number on the roster this year at $9.473 million.
Full list of 49ers 2026 free agents
Here's a look at every San Francisco 49ers player currently set to hit some sort of free agency next offseason, a list that also includes those signed to reserve/futures contracts. (UFA=unrestricted free agent; RFA=restricted free agent; ERFA=exclusive rights free agent)
Player | Position | Type |
|---|---|---|
Jauan Jennings | WR | UFA |
Colton McKivitz | RT | UFA |
Jordan Elliott | IDL | UFA |
Jason Pinnock | S | UFA |
Jon Weeks | LS | UFA |
Thomas Morstead | P | UFA |
Tre Brown | CB | UFA |
Luke Gifford | LB | UFA |
Kevin Givens | IDL | UFA |
Patrick Taylor | RB | UFA |
Greg Joseph | K | UFA |
Nick Zakelj | LG | UFA |
Richie Grant | S | UFA |
Chazz Surratt | LB | UFA |
Spencer Burford | RG | UFA |
Ross Dwelley | TE | UFA |
Ben Bartch | LT | UFA |
Isaiah Hodgins | WR | UFA |
Curtis Robinson | LB | UFA |
Matt Hennessy | C | UFA |
Trent Taylor | WR | UFA |
Andre Dillard | LT | UFA |
Tre Avery | CB | UFA |
Jonathan Garvin | EDGE | UFA |
Russell Gage | WR | UFA |
Sam Okuayinonu | EDGE | RFA |
Kalia Davis | IDL | RFA |
Dallis Flowers | CB | RFA |
Jalen Graham | LB | RFA |
Brayden Willis | TE | RFA |
Chase Lucas | CB | RFA |
Evan Anderson | IDL | ERFA |
Austen Pleasants | RT | ERFA |
Jake Tonges | TE | ERFA |
Tarron Jackson | EDGE | ERFA |
Sebastian Gutierrez | LT | ERFA |
Drake Nugent | C | ERFA |
Tanner Mordecai | QB | ERFA |
Terique Owens | WR | ERFA |
Isaac Alarcon | LT | ERFA |
Zack Johnson | LG | ERFA |
Malik Knowles | WR | ERFA |
Mason Pline | TE | ERFA |
Jaylen Mahoney | S | ERFA |
Alfred Collins | IDL | ERFA |