Third-party analysis still isn't looking positively upon the 49ers' 2025 offseason, but it's not taking into account the greater picture.
From a 20,000-foot perspective, the San Francisco 49ers' 2025 offseason was dreadful.
After all, the Niners lost a swarm of talent that included household names like wide receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and plenty of others who made positive impacts for San Francisco in recent years.
At the same time, those core pieces couldn't prevent the 49ers from going 6-11 a year ago and finishing last place within the NFC West despite being the top cash-spending team in the league.
So, change was needed.
Not everyone bought into the changes, though. Especially pundits and analysts who aren't necessarily taking the time to explore the deeper context.
Pro Football Network joins PFF as being bearish on 49ers' offseason campaign
Immediately after the Niners added 11 rookies in last April's NFL Draft, Pro Football Focus awarded San Francisco a D-grade for the entirety of the offseason, tied for the second-worst mark among all 32 teams.
Ouch.
Now, even after the 49ers extended quarterback Brock Purdy on a high-profile five-year deal, Pro Football Network is backing up PFF's claim of a D-grade with the exact same critique:
"Locking up their quarterback long term was one of the few bright spots for San Francisco. The front office allowed a lot of veteran talent to leave through free agency and trades, including Deebo Samuel Sr., Charvarius Ward, and Dre Greenlaw. With so many holes to fill, the Niners didn't come away from free agency with nearly enough, Tre Brown and Demarcus Robinson being the highlights.
The 49ers' 2025 draft class had its highs and lows. Mykel Williams was a polarizing prospect as he possesses elite physical traits, but his college production didn't match. C.J. West and Alfred Collins could help fill the void left by Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave, but they'll have their work cut out to improve a defense that ranked 28th in EPA per rush and 25th in run defense success rate."
PFN brings up valid points. The exodus of talent wasn't addressed much by free-agent pickups, and it's a tall order to ask the bulk of the Niners' rookie draft class to step up and contribute for what was a perennial Super Bowl contender over the last few seasons.
That said, San Francisco's aim was to get both younger and cheaper this offseason, and that's precisely what was accomplished.
Well, aside from quarterback extensions. That was pricey.
Either way, it's good championships and awards aren't doled out to teams that win the offseason.
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