49ers general manager reveals masterplan for 2025

After a run of postseason appearances, the San Francisco 49ers fell to a 6-11 record in 2024 and failed to make it to the playoffs. This offseason the team that Kyle Shanahan took to the Super Bowl twice is being dismantled and the front office is ushering in a new era.

At the start of 2025 the 49ers have already shed left tackle Jaylon Moore, guard Aaron Banks, safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and cornerback Charvarius Ward in free agency. From the defensive line, Maliek Collina, Leonard Floyd and Javon Hargrave have all left.

That upheaval has sparked some questions, with some fans wondering how the 49ers plan to replace so many players in a single offseason. But speaking to The Athletic, general manager John Lynch insisted that San Francisco is in a good place.

“We’ve got this thing called the draft, and we’ve got a lot of picks,” Lynch quipped. “And I think the thing the fans should know is we have a plan. And we’re gonna execute that plan. And we’re excited about the opportunity.”

“Last year, we had such a good roster,” he continued. “I think we doubled down and said, ‘Let’s go for this thing.’ And we kinda pushed all the chips in knowing that at some point you’re gonna have to have that reset. And this was the year. So guys like Leonard Floyd and Maliek... Believe me, their impact was felt. They were great, it was nothing they did wrong. We just felt like it was the time to do it, and we’re excited about what we can add and replenish.”

The 49ers looked well-placed to do some major work at the 2025 NFL Draft but their most difficult piece of business may well involve tying a current player down to a new contract. When Brock Purdy was taken with the final pick of the 2022 draft little was expected of ‘Mr Irrelevant’ but he’s established himself as the guaranteed starter and led the team to a Super Bowl.

His rookie contract is now due an extension and he could demand big bucks to stay in SF. Team owner Jed York has already promised to “do everything we can to make that work” but that will eat up a significant amount of cap space, limiting the options elsewhere. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo has reported that Purdy is looking for a league-high $60 million per year deal but it remains to be seen if the front office would countenance such a big outlay, even on a proven talent like Purdy.

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