The 49ers' list of pending free agents isn't overly impressive, but there are two players the Niners must go all out to retain.
The end result of the San Francisco 49ers' 2024 season -- missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020 -- suggests one glaring thing.
Change is necessary.
Arguably the easiest way to implement roster change is to simply let pending free agents walk, allowing them to chase whatever money they want on the open market while looking to backfill positions with better (and hopefully cheaper) talent.
The Niners' list of pending free agents for 2025 includes a number of notable names, including Pro Bowlers like cornerback Charvarius Ward and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave
Ward might be too expensive to re-sign, especially in the wake of San Francisco spending big money on fellow corner Deommodore Lenoir's extension. Hargrave, whose contract was recently reworked, has missed the bulk of the season anyway, giving the 49ers a clear example of what's needed to replace the aging veteran well beyond 30 years of age.
For the most part, it'll be easy enough for the Niners to bid farewell to Ward, Hargrave and the overwhelming majority of free agents they have listed entering 2025.
These two, however, are priority re-sign candidates.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw
There's an argument San Francisco's 2024 campaign went south immediately after linebacker Dre Greenlaw tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl last February, and it certainly did in that particular game.
Greenlaw's nearly season-long absence opened up the door for the De'Vondre Campbell fiasco while weakening the 49ers defense overall, denying All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner his favorite teammate and the infectious energy provided to the squad as a whole.
On the positive side, Greenlaw did return for two games this season before suffering a season-ending calf injury in Week 16.
But now, his uncertain future paints a grim reminder of why the Niners sorely need him back.
If there's a bonus from Greenlaw's brutal injury and subsequent ramifications, it's potentially in the likelihood of his asking price being far below a healthy market value, meaning San Francisco could approach him about taking a cheaper contract.
While a one-year prove-it deal isn't the best scenario for either party, it'd at least ensure the 49ers have one of their top playmakers in uniform for another season without jeopardizing their long-term financial plans.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga
Earlier this year, the thought of the Niners retaining one-time All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga seemed far-fetched, particularly after the emergence of 2023 rookie Ji'Ayir Brown and the 2024 drafting (and subsequent deployment) of Malik Mustapha.
Plus, with Hufanga missing the overwhelming majority of the season because of injuries, including his recovery from a 2023 torn ACL, San Francisco appeared poised to move on with ease.
Except Brown regressed significantly, which led to his benching and demotion behind Mustapha and the 2021 fifth-round draft pick.
There's hope Brown bounces back in 2025, yes. But, considering the 49ers have a swarm of roster needs elsewhere (the offensive and defensive lines, mostly), using offseason capital to grab yet another safety seems too risky a proposition.
Hufanga might not have elite coverage skills, and his speed has always been a question mark. However, his leadership and uncanny playmaking prowess are still vital X-factors the Niners sorely need back in 2025.