Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers
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Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers had a disappointing season in 2024 with a 6-11 record and finishing the year at the bottom of the NFC West standings.
Yet, one NFL writer believes the 49ers could go from ‘worst to first’ in 2025.
49ers Sit Atop ‘Worst to First’ Rankings from USA Today
When Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today dropped his ‘Worst to First’ article on Monday, he certainly painted a pretty picture for 49er fans hoping they can bounce-back in 2025.
Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote, “It’s easier to bounce back rather than build from the ground floor. Having reached at least the conference championship game four times and won the division three times in the five years prior to last season, San Francisco clearly has the solid foundation that so many others on this list lack. That starts at both coach, where Kyle Shanahan’s adroit play-calling confers a massive advantage, and quarterback, with Brock Purdy now no longer facing questions about his worth after reaching a five-year, $265 million extension that hardly seems lofty.”
Brock Purdy securing a long-term extension makes him the unquestioned franchise quarterback of the 49ers moving forward, and is set to get some of his top tier personnel back fully healthy entering the 2025 NFL season.
Middlehurst-Schwartz added, “The 2024 edition of the squad was snakebitten at an unparalleled level, so getting back the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams after injury-riddled seasons is sure to fuel an offensive upswing. The defense also has hopes for better days ahead, too, with Robert Saleh sizing up as the right man to clean up various issues as he begins his second stint as a coordinator with the organization. The NFC West seems at least somewhat manageable to navigate after having the smallest gap between in wins (five games) between any division’s champion and last-place finisher.”
Injuries are a part of football, but losing an MVP type playmaker at running back, an explosive 1,000 receiver, and an All-Pro talent at tackle is tough for any quarterback to overcome.
Sure, Purdy could’ve played better at moments — but getting these players back into the fold should make an immediate impact for the 49ers in 2025.
Are the San Francisco 49ers Still the Class of the NFC West Entering 2025?
The return of this many playmakers feel like a positive, but they are coupled with a handful of meaningful departures from the roster this offseason.
Players like Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Deebo Samuel are no longer with the team — who could prove tougher to replace than expected.
Middlehurst-Schwartz added, “Recapturing their previous winning ways isn’t merely a matter of the 49ers calling a mulligan on last year. There’s been significant attrition, especially on a defense that needs several young replacements – especially along the defensive line – to step up. With Aiyuk still working his way back from torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and Deebo Samuel Sr. traded to the Commanders, second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall will have to make a sizable mark to keep the passing game going. Rediscovering a finishing touch will be essential after the 49ers were outscored 165-88 in the fourth quarter and had dreadful results in the red zone on both sides of the ball. The NFC West doesn’t offer any easy outs, either, and the Los Angeles Rams shouldn’t be expected to slide.”
Despite some of the concerns about the offseason mass exodus, San Francisco still possess some elite talent at important positions across the roster.
Middlehurst-Schwartz concluded, “There’s usually a clear front-runner annually in this exercise, and San Francisco clearly stands apart from the other entrants. There’s enough change in the last 12 months that an immediate return to form is hardly a foregone conclusion, but this version of the 49ers might have what it takes to reclaim the divisional crown, even if it has ceded its place as the definitive favorite.”
The 49ers may have had a rough 2024, but they do feel like a strong bounce-back candidate entering the 2025 NFL season.