Niners John Lynch provides update on negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy
49ers general manager John Lynch reveals at NFL Combine that the team is in negotiations with Purdy’s folks to secure him as their quarterback for the future.
The San Francisco 49ers had a rough 2024 season following their latest Super Bowl trip. Injuries and off-field incidents saw many key players missing time as the team missed the playoffs and finished with just six wins for the first time since 2020.
The 49ers were in contention after the bye week as a 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put them at 5-4 on the season but they went 1-7 to close the season and finished last in the NFC West.
That led to a lot of changes in the offseason, starting with the coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen was fired after one season and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider was let go as well. The defense finished 29th in points allowed in 2024 and special teams struggled on both punts and kicks.
San Francisco brought former defensive coordinator and New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh back to the team to helm the defense once again. Longtime Jets special teams coordinator and former NFL linebacker Brant Boyer came with him to take Schneider’s spot on the coaching staff, as well.
Buy 49ers tickets for the 2025 season
The 49ers took a passive approach to free agency and opted against big-name signings as they lost former starters in linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, cornerback Charvarius Ward and guard Aaron Banks. The franchise also traded former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
San Francisco signed veterans in quarterback Mac Jones and cornerback Tre Brown in free agency before loading up on defense in the draft. The team’s first five selections were used on edge rusher Mykel Williams, defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West, cornerback Upton Stout and linebacker Nick Martin.
Will that infusion of young talent and reuniting with Saleh see an improvement on defense and, in turn, a return to the playoffs? USA TODAY Sports is predicting the 49ers’ record as the 2025 NFL schedule release inches closer.
49ers record prediction 2025
Record prediction: 11-6
This isn’t the first time the 49ers lost a Super Bowl then won six games in the ensuing injury-riddled season; that happened in 2019-20 under coach Kyle Shanahan. In 2021, the team won seven of its last nine regular season games en route to a berth in the NFC championship game.
It’s definitely possible that the 49ers could see a similar resurgence in 2025. That influx of talent and a proven coordinator on defense could see a big improvement on that side of the ball. On offense, better health could see that side of the ball jump back up to a top-10 scoring unit.
Even without notable improvement in all phases, the 49ers are in a good place to get more wins in 2025. Sharp Football Analysis ranked the 49ers first with the easiest strength of schedule in the league.
Six of the 49ers’ 17 games this season come against NFC West opponents. Outside of that, San Francisco faces the NFC South and AFC South teams. Only two teams combined in those divisions had 10 wins last year: Houston and Tampa Bay.
Outside of their division, NFC South and AFC South games, the 49ers will face the Bears at home and the Browns and Giants on the road. Chicago’s under a new regime in a tough division and both Cleveland and New York have major questions at quarterback.
Even if the 49ers go .500 in their division games, San Francisco should see a big improvement in the win column. They may lack the firepower of the 2023 team that made the Super Bowl but should be a playoff contender once again.
49ers 2025 opponents
Here’s the full list of 49ers opponents for 2025:
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