There's a real feeling of freshness around the San Francisco 49ers in 2025. In a disappointing 2024 campaign, many things went wrong and have been discussed ad nauseam, but perhaps the biggest problem the team had was just that everything somehow felt so stale.
After a thrilling 2023 and an agonising Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, hopes were high, but frankly, San Francisco looked tired, out of sorts, and very much at the end of its cycle.
That should all change going into 2025, as the injection of youth at various positions will see some vibrant and well-fought competitions up and down the roster throughout training camp.
Let's take a look at the three biggest and their likely impact on the 49ers' 2025 season.
Wide Receiver
Thanks to Jauan Jennings' contract dispute, this one's gone up the list both in importance and urgency.
While it remains unknown what they'll do about Jennings, even though he does appear to have all the leverage, the Niners are desperate for some proven options to emerge at the position following the trade of Deebo Samuel last March.
Without Brandon Aiyuk, who's likely to be missing until mid-season while recovering from last year's ACL and MCL tears (despite some optimistic recent reports), the two most proven receivers on the roster are Jennings, who may not practice, and Demarcus Robinson, a free-agent pickup who could well be suspended for the start of the season.
It looks like a disaster, and in some ways, it is. But there's a huge opportunity available to anyone who chooses to take it.
With presumed starter Ricky Pearsall looking like he'll begin camp on the PUP list as well, there'll be reps and an opportunity available. A burgeoning young crop of wide receivers, including Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, and Isaiah Neyor, needs to step up and take their chance.
If the on-roster options don't rise up, there are plenty of free-agent veteran receivers out there who might be able to take their spot. Regardless, in their NFL careers, they're not likely to get such a wide-open opportunity to seize playing time, particularly with head coach Kyle Shanahan and his mistrust of younger receivers to contend with.
Linebacker
From a potentially worrying position battle to one that should be fun, as the 49ers seek to replace legendary linebacker Dre Greenlaw next to Fred Warner. The Niners drafted or acquired a raft of young linebackers in the last two seasons, and this summer may be their chance to shine.
Put simply, the team needs new blood next to Warner. Greenlaw's absence last season resulted in some dreadful linebacker play, including weaknesses against the run, but especially against the pass. The likes of De'Vondre Campbell and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles were left hopelessly overmatched against their opponents, and it contributed to the overall decline of the defense.
So now, all the 49ers need is a strong hitter against the run but also someone who is fast and intelligent enough to cover the pass. Oh, and it'd be nice if they had some leadership ability, too.
Not asking much, then.
Fortunately, in the likes of Dee Winters, rookie Nick Martin, and former seventh-rounder Tatum Bethune, the 49ers have players with youth, speed, and instincts who could all be capable of stepping in. Seeing which one makes it out of the battle with the starting job is going to be interesting, and it should certainly make the preseason games worth watching.
There's also a worthy veteran option in Robert Saleh favourite Chazz Surratt. He could well be a dark horse in the race.
For the ones who don't make it to the starting lineup, there should be an equal bun fight for spots on special teams, as new coordinator Brant Boyer looks to carve out some spots on his coverage teams. It may be some players, like veteran Luke Gifford's, best path to the roster.
Safety
I haven't gathered the data, but I think if you asked a Niners fan which position they were most concerned about heading into training camp (after receiver, which took a jump lately, thanks to Jennings), most would probably answer safety, and with good reason.
The 49ers, frankly, do not have any proven options at safety going into 2025. Ji'Ayir Brown's promising rookie season in 2023 was followed up by a dreadful 2024, Malik Mustapha is injured for an unknown length of time, and George Odum, the only safety with any real tenure on the roster, has just been cut.
The depth chart after those two is filled with veteran flyers like Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant, or rookies like Marques Sigle.
There is, to be frank, a massive opportunity available here for all concerned. From Brown down to former undrafted free agent Jaylen Mahoney, everything seems up for grabs at safety. Mustapha is easily the most accomplished, and assuming a drama-free recovery from his injury, will assume one of the starting spots. But who will deputise in the meantime and possibly into the regular season?
Moreover, is Brown going to answer the call and make himself indispensable? The answers will all show themselves throughout camp and the preseason.
Again, for those who are on the fringes, two words should be ringing in their ears: special teams. Both Pinnock and Grant are accomplished special teamers, and so look to have the inside track on roster spots. Can they go one step further and land a starting job, too?
All this bears watching as the football machine grinds to life once again.