The 5 Biggest Takeaways From the 49ers' 2025 Season

With the 22025 season over for the 49ers, these are the moments that stood out the most.

Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) under center against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

The 2025 season is a wrap for the San Francisco 49ers.

It ended brutally, but it doesn't change the fact that they had an impressive year, given the circumstances. Winning 13 games and one playoff game is incredible.

This was a season for the books, which led to a lot of takeaways. There's a lot to unpack from the 49ers' season, so let's hop into the five biggest takeaways from it.

Injury frenzy

Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is carted off the field after an injury during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The most obvious and top takeaway from the 49ers' 2025 season is their injury frenzy. Dealing with a plethora of injuries isn't anything new to the 49ers, but this year was quite something.

No other team in the NFL had more annual team salary on the Injured Reserve list than the 49ers, per Over The Cap. This year's injuries took out more star players than any other year.

It would be malpractice for the 49ers not look into it. But the easiest decision should be to fire their entire training staff. Enough is enough. Entering the 2025 season, the NFLPA report card had the 49ers' training staff ranked No. 25.

It's time for the 49ers to start anew there.

Christian McCaffrey still has it

Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs after the catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Two of the biggest questions entering 2025 were how Christian McCaffrey would hold up physically and if his skills would be diminished. Well, both questions were answered with conviction.

McCaffrey miraculously held up perfectly. He never missed a game and was only listed on the injury report for games twice. As for his skills, aside from his speed, he's still got it.

Without him, the season would've played out differently for the 49ers. But now the concern with McCaffrey will be how he looks in 2026 after he received the heaviest workload of his career.

Ricky Pearsall is injury prone

Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The first four games of the season were electric for Ricky Pearsall. All of the hype surrounding him from training camp seemed legitimate.

Unfortunately, a terrible landing on his knee against the Jacksonville Jaguars would curse his season. He suffered a PCL sprain and was never the same again.

With that injury, it's no longer debatable. Pearsall is an injury-prone player. The only way he will beat that labeling is by playing in every game this year with minimal listings on the injury report.

Brock Purdy is good, not great

Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The 49ers can feel at ease knowing they have a good quarterback in Brock Purdy. In the games that he was supposed to perform well, he did. He took care of business against weak opponents.

Purdy is a solid quarterback, but he isn't great. If the 49ers are up against a stout defense, like the Seattle Seahawks, he will struggle immensely. He did that in all three games against them.

Until Purdy learns to reel in his gunslinging mentality, meaning he needs to take what the defense is giving him, he will not ascend. If this is how he will remain, it's fine, but he won't ever come close to being great.

Kyle Shanahan was terrific

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan runs on the field before game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Without question, Kyle Shanahan should be the NFL Coach of the Year. As I stated earlier, no other team in the league had more money on the Injured Reserve list than the 49ers.

The 49ers had every reason to crumble, but they didn't. Part of it is the job of the players stepping up, while most of it is thanks to the coaching job done by Shanahan this year.

I'd argue it's his most impressive season since joining the 49ers. However, it isn't sustainable. The 49ers need an injection of talent as well as some of their young players to take that next step.

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