The San Francisco 49ers lost plenty of talent during the 2025 offseason, part of the franchise's newfound cost-cutting measures that helped free up cash after being the NFL's top-spending team a year ago.
Inevitably, the Niners will square off against former teammates, many of whom will see their former employer at some point this upcoming year.
Case in point, when San Francisco squares off against the Denver Broncos for preseason action, former 49ers defenders Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw will embrace their former teammates even if they're not directly involved in "meaningless" on-field play.
What about the regular season, though?
Turns out, the Niners will see plenty of their former players at various points on their schedule.
49ers will face these former players in 2025
Weeks 1 and 18 @/vs. Seahawks: TE Eric Saubert
Saubert only spent a year with San Francisco, so he'd be easy to forget.
Week 2 @ Saints: CB Isaac Yiadom
Yiadom only spent a year with San Francisco, so he'd be easy to forget, too.
Week 4 vs. Jaguars: DT Arik Armstead
Armstead, a 2015 first-round draftee, became one of the 49ers' longest-tenured players before a cap-casualty release entering 2024.
Weeks 5 and 10 @/vs. Rams: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Witherspoon and Niners running back Christian McCaffrey are friends.
There's Los Angeles' backup quarterback, too...
Week 7 vs. Falcons: DE Leonard Floyd, TE Charlie Woerner
Floyd spent only one year with San Francisco, although he's a bit easier to remember than others.
If you love blocking tight ends, you'll remember Woerner.
Week 8 @ Texans: DB Jimmie Ward, head coach DeMeco Ryans
Ward, a 2014 first-round draftee, was also one of the 49ers' longest-tenured players before heading to Houston where he paired up with the Niners' former defensive coordinator, turned head coach, Ryans.
Week 15 vs. Titans: QB Brandon Allen
2024 pretty much proved Allen wasn't a viable option to back up Brock Purdy.
Week 16 @ Colts: DT DeForest Buckner, CB Charvarius Ward
Buckner and Armstead once formed a formidable pair, both with the Oregon Ducks in college and then with San Francisco before the former was traded off to Indianapolis in 2020.
Ward, meanwhile, inked a free-agent deal with Indy earlier this offseason.