49ers in 2025: Top obstacles to overcome for a successful season

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a challenging 2024 campaign, finishing last in the NFC West with a 6-11 record. The team hopes to prove that last season was an outlier, and not a sign that their days of fighting for championships are behind them.

Injuries played a significant role in the 49ers' struggles. But with key players like Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams returning healthy, and quarterback Brock Purdy locked in for the long haul, San Francisco heads into training camp with renewed optimism for a turnaround in 2025.

However, there are obstacles the 49ers must overcome—or avoid entirely—to find success this season and restore hope for another deep playoff run.

Avoiding the injury bug

Staying healthy will be critical to the 49ers' success. Among the most important returns is Christian McCaffrey, who appeared in only four games last season between injured reserve stints due to Achilles tendinitis and a PCL injury.

McCaffrey's tough season followed his 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year season, in which he amassed 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 total touchdowns. Last year, however, he totaled just 348 scrimmage yards without a single touchdown, never resembling the Pro Bowl-level playmaker fans saw in previous years.

McCaffrey's injury history could be seen as a red flag, but he was a full participant in the 49ers' offseason program and looks determined to prove his doubters wrong in 2025.

Meanwhile, left tackle Trent Williams turns 37 this month. He missed the final seven games of 2024 with an ankle injury and has missed at least two games every season since joining the 49ers. Another extended absence from Williams would deal a significant blow to the offense, especially given the limited depth along the offensive line.

If either McCaffrey or Williams misses significant time again, the 49ers' playoff hopes could quickly fade.

Offensive line depth

Once again, the 49ers opted not to heavily invest in their offensive line, using just one draft pick—a seventh-rounder to select guard Connor Colby—to bolster the group. San Francisco must identify a new starter at left guard following Aaron Banks' free-agent departure. The rest of the starting lineup seems set with Colton McKivitz at right tackle, Dominick Puni at right guard, Jake Brendel at center, and Williams at left tackle.

However, there are a couple of spots where fans were likely hoping for offseason upgrades.

Purdy's production dipped in 2024, partly due to injuries across the roster. A healthy, stable offensive line will be crucial for his success in 2025. But questions remain about whether the current depth is sufficient to withstand potential injuries to key starters—a concern not limited to the offensive line alone.

Defensive line shakeup

As part of preparing for Purdy's new contract, the 49ers revamped an expensive veteran defensive line that struggled to stop the run or generate consistent pressure last season.

Gone are Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd, replaced by more cost-effective rookies with high upside in Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West. This transition is a gamble that San Francisco hopes will pay dividends in the years ahead.

The biggest offseason addition, however, was the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator. He's tasked with restoring the defense's fast and aggressive identity, but the rookies may need time to adjust, creating an obstacle early in the season.

To ease the transition, the 49ers traded for veteran pass rusher Bryce Huff to pair with All-Pro Nick Bosa.

Doubts surrounding Brock Purdy

Purdy still has plenty of skeptics who believe he benefits more from Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme and a talented supporting cast than his own abilities as a passer. His massive five-year, $265 million extension only intensified the scrutiny, with some questioning whether he's worthy of an elite salary.

In 2023, Purdy threw for a single-season franchise record 4,280 yards with 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. However, his numbers declined in 2024, and he struggled to carry the team through the adversity of an injury-riddled season.

Purdy's performance will be under the microscope in 2025, as critics watch to see if he can post big numbers now that he's one of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks, or if the team's roster changes prove too much for him to overcome.

Special teams inconsistencies

Special teams were a major issue for San Francisco in 2024, with kicker Jake Moody drawing heavy criticism. The 49ers responded by hiring Brant Boyer as the new special teams coordinator to replace Brian Schneider. Boyer proceeded to bring in a new long snapper and punter in Jon Weeks and Thomas Morstead, respectively.

Moody finished last season with 10 missed field goals and one missed extra point. Although, most of those came after he returned from a high-ankle sprain—perhaps prematurely.

Fans will be watching training camp and preseason closely as Moody competes with veteran Greg Joseph. The 49ers can't afford more inconsistency at kicker if they hope to compete in a tight NFC West race.