The San Francisco 49ers made some big changes this past offseason, turning over some of their coaching staff and a chunk of their roster after finishing with a disappointing 6-11 record and in fourth place in the NFC West.
While there are several differences between the 2024 team and the 2025 team, many believed the 49ers would struggle again this year as a result of some of these changes.
However, despite that and despite the key injuries that they’ve suffered up and down their roster, San Francisco has found a way to go 5-2 through their first seven games of the year.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked every team’s offseason now that we’re nearing the half-way point of the season to see just how well their offseason changes have panned out, and he put San Francisco in the “way above expectations” category along with the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He cites hiring defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, drafting defensive end Mykel Williams, defensive lineman Alfred Collins and safety Marques Sigle, trading for edge rusher Bryce Huff and signing quarterback Mac Jones as the highlights.
Barnwell believes their disappointments so far include extending quarterback brock Purdy on a five-year, $265 million contract and signing wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson to a two-year, $8 million deal.
“Well, the conversation is going to be out there, right? Jones hasn’t been as good as Purdy, but in five starts filling in, Jones has gone 4-1 and posted a 55.2 QBR. Purdy is better, posting a 68.8 mark over 2022-24, but is the difference between the two worth more than $48 million per season? Would Kyle Shanahan and the Niners’ front office make that same decision again? Maybe, but $48 million would pay the salaries of a bunch of starters for a team that has had so many other talented players get hurt this season.
“The defense has managed to keep its head above water despite losing its two best players in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Saleh has done an excellent job coaxing solid or better performances out of the rookies on that side of the ball, with Collins helping the Niners win against the Rams by punching the ball out of L.A. running back Kyren Williams’s hands at the goal line, saving a touchdown. Huff joined the ranks of the walking wounded by suffering a hamstring injury last week, but the Eagles castoff leads the team with 24 pressures and 10 quick pressures, an excellent return for a player the 49ers are paying only $7.7 million in 2025.”
Saleh and Jones have probably been the biggest difference makers so far this year.
San Francisco hasn’t had much of a pass rush and have been without defensive end Nick Bosa and safety Malik Mustapha for most of the year, but they’re still holding teams to the seventh-fewest points per game (19.7).
Jones has also been successful in his role filling in for Purdy. That doesn’t mean that Purdy won’t live up to the contract, but right now he’s injured, and Jones is keeping the team rolling in the meantime. That’s a win for general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.
More 49ers: 49ers injuries for key players linger into 1st Week 8 practice report
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers under-the-radar offseason moves have been huge reason for hot start despite injuries
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
