Following a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024, the San Francisco 49ers will look a lot different heading into the 2025 campaign, as the team parted ways with a plethora of players, a list that includes offensive guard Aaron Banks (Packers), cornerback Charvarius Ward (Colts), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Vikings), safety Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Broncos), and linebacker Leonard Floyd (Falcons), among others.
And that's not to mention the trade of wideout Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
Samuel was set to be the biggest name on the list of 49ers players set to hit free agency in 2026, but that's obviously no longer the case.
That honor now belongs to none other than wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who enjoyed a career year in 2024, catching 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns.
In his previous three seasons, the 2020 seventh-round selection (he didn't take a single snap as a rookie) recorded 78 receptions for 963 yards and seven scores, adding another 20 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown in nine postseason games.
So, last year was clearly a breakout season for Jennings. And as such, the 28-year-old is seemingly set to take the Brandon Aiyuk route, as he reportedly wants a contract extension before the upcoming season starts or a trade if he doesn't get one.
Jennings signed a two-year extension worth up to $15.39 million in May of last year, with $10.54 million in guaranteed money. He's obviously looking for a lot more, but we'll just have to wait and see how all of this plays out.
Outside of Jennings, the most notable name on the Niners' roster set to hit free agency next spring is probably starting right tackle Colton McKivitz, who signed a one-year, $7 million extension to remain in San Francisco this past March.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who joined the 49ers a season ago after four years with the Cleveland Browns, is arguably the biggest name on the defensive side of the ball. Fellow defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos is the highest-paid player on the list, as the former Detroit Lion has the sixth-highest cap number on the roster this year at $9.473 million.
Full list of 49ers 2026 free agents
Here's a look at every San Francisco 49ers player currently set to hit some sort of free agency next offseason, a list that also includes those signed to reserve/futures contracts. (UFA=unrestricted free agent; RFA=restricted free agent; ERFA=exclusive rights free agent)
Player Position Type
Jauan Jennings WR UFA
Colton McKivitz RT UFA
Jordan Elliott IDL UFA
Jason Pinnock S UFA
Jon Weeks LS UFA
Thomas Morstead P UFA
Tre Brown CB UFA
Luke Gifford LB UFA
Kevin Givens IDL UFA
Patrick Taylor RB UFA
Greg Joseph K UFA
Nick Zakelj LG UFA
Richie Grant S UFA
Chazz Surratt LB UFA
Spencer Burford RG UFA
Ross Dwelley TE UFA
Ben Bartch LT UFA
Isaiah Hodgins WR UFA
Curtis Robinson LB UFA
Matt Hennessy C UFA
Trent Taylor WR UFA
Andre Dillard LT UFA
Tre Avery CB UFA
Jonathan Garvin EDGE UFA
Russell Gage WR UFA
Sam Okuayinonu EDGE RFA
Kalia Davis IDL RFA
Dallis Flowers CB RFA
Jalen Graham LB RFA
Brayden Willis TE RFA
Chase Lucas CB RFA
Evan Anderson IDL ERFA
Austen Pleasants RT ERFA
Jake Tonges TE ERFA
Tarron Jackson EDGE ERFA
Sebastian Gutierrez LT ERFA
Drake Nugent C ERFA
Tanner Mordecai QB ERFA
Terique Owens WR ERFA
Isaac Alarcon LT ERFA
Zack Johnson LG ERFA
Malik Knowles WR ERFA
Mason Pline TE ERFA
Jaylen Mahoney S ERFA
Alfred Collins IDL ERFA
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