The San Francisco 49ers suffered through a horrible 6-11 mark last season and finished last in the coveted NFC West.
The 2024 season was plagued by poor play at key positions, but also a ton of injuries.
That's why health is being cited as a key for the 49ers to get back on track in 2025, along with top-tier players performing like they have during more successful seasons.
CBS Sports' Charles Davis noted a weak division as the reason he thinks San Francisco could have a rebound year.
“I know this might be a little bit controversial. I feel like people have taken the 49ers and said their best days are behind them, but I’m BUYING it," Davis said. "Because I think the NFC West is out there for whoever wants to go it, and I’m counting on these 49ers to have a much better health this season than last season.”
FOX Sports' Joy Taylor agrees.
“I think we’re writing the Niners off a little too soon. I think they’re going to look very different this year. Which apparently offended everyone," Taylor said on Speak on FS1. "I don’t know, I can’t keep up. Snowflakes out here get offended by everything.”
One major reason to be optimistic is the return of a hopefully healthy Christian McCaffrey, who recently commented on his approach to his recovery in the gym.
"I think this offseason I spent a lot of time kind of building back a base, starting from scratch," McCaffrey said. "So, a lot of it was rehab, and I wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs and I could practice, play football again, be healthy and not miss a day. And I did that, and now we can kind of kick back up the training again. But I feel great."
"I've had a lot of people tell me as you get older you need to do less. I think there's a middle ground with that statement. For me, it's kind of a constant evaluation of where your body's at and what you need."