SANTA CLARA — Half of the 49ers’ starters are gone only 13 months after their Super Bowl heartbreak in Vegas.
Six months from now, the 49ers will start the season without familiar faces from other playoff runs. Such is the NFL life, at least for a franchise resorting to petty cash.
A slew of household names walked out the door with Monday’s pseudo-start of free agency before contracts get finalized Wednesday. The “Eight Men Out” weren’t all players in their prime or at full health, so this exodus doesn’t quite compare to other 49ers’ offseasons, such as their 2004 salary-cap hell and their 2015 retirement brigade.
The quantity of sentimental exits, rather than modern-day quality, will be what’s remembered in the March 10, 2025 franchise ledger. Voids must be filled both on the field and in the locker room. More players are sure to leave, from wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s trade to Washington (fifth-round pick) to the anticipated releases of defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins.
And more players are sure to come aboard, either as bargain buys in free agency or in late April’s NFL Draft. Doubling up on Bosa brothers could be a game-changer, for instance. Paying Brock Purdy presumably will bring a ray of sunshine.
Analysis: The 6-foot-5 Farrell figures to specialize in blocking, more so on passing downs in two tight-end sets with George Kittle rather than unseat Kyle Juszczyk as a lead run blocker out of the backfield. It’s not a sexy addition for $11 million guaranteed but it’s a logical one with upside. Jake Tonges and Brayden Willis have been tendered to compete for bigger roles, yet again.
Replacement: To be determined
Analysis: A year after taking a pay cut and on the 2025 books for a $4.1 million salary, Juszczyk was informed Monday night that he will be released, ending an eight-year tenure as a perennial Pro Bowler who arrived in the 49ers’ first free agency class under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. Juszczyk turns 34 next month and had planned on continuing his NFL career into a 13th season, or so he declared at the end of the 49ers’ season. His versatility will be missed, from serving as a lead blocker for 2023 NFL rushing champion Christian McCaffrey to producing at last one touchdown catch in each of his 49ers’ seasons. Farrell could be deployed as an in-line blocker but, with a 6-foot-5 frame, probably not so much out of the backfield. Another possibility is the 49ers’ experimenting with Brayden Willis there instead of purely as a tight end.
Replacement: Dee Winters
Analysis: Similar to Arik Armstead’s exit a year ago, the 49ers were willing to let others overpay a franchise stalwart who was coming off an injury-plagued season. Both of Greenlaw’s Achilles are cause for concern, and the 49ers must give financial priority to Fred Warner, who has no guaranteed money left in the final two years of his current deal. Look for the 49ers to bolster their linebacker unit through the draft, while further auditioning Dee Winters and Curtis Robinson. Last year’s strategy failed, from Eric Kendricks reneging in free agency to De’Vondre Campbell’s poor play before his late-season exit.
Replacement: Renardo Green
Analysis: Green, a second-round pick last year, is projected to start alongside Deommodore Lenoir, which essentially was the case the second half of last season as Green drew seven starts. Ward vowed to leave the Bay Area rather than constantly relive the personal trauma of last season’s death of his 23-month-old daughter here. A 2023 All-Pro, Ward cashed out for $35 million guaranteed to make an AFC encore.
Replacement: Ben Bartch
Analysis: Banks, a 2021 second-rounder, started the past three seasons and didn’t play well enough last season to win over the cost-conscious 49ers. A more affordable route was taken two weeks ago to re-sign Bartch (one year, $1.3 million) and have him compete with Nick Zakelj, Spencer Burford and others.
Replacement: Malik Mustapha
Analysis: Injuries robbed Hufanga of 17 games the past two seasons and kept him from regaining his 2022 All-Pro form. Those absences thrust Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown onto the field before they may have been ready. That’s not a stable tandem and the 49ers very much could add a veteran starter or rookie into the mix. Hufanga’s uplifting, positive spirit will be greatly missed in the locker room.
Replacement: None
Analysis: The 49ers need to add multiple challengers for the swing tackle role behind the oft-injured Trent Williams and right tackle Colton McKivitz, the latter of whom is entering a contract year. Moore shined well enough last season as Williams’ replacement that he was sure to command more money and a starter’s role elsewhere; two years is not a long commitment but Patrick Mahomes’ wizzardy could stoke Moore’s next contract.
Replacement: Tanner Mordecai
Analysis: Dobbs went from journeyman starter to essentially a third-string backup who had to start the 49ers’ season-ending loss at Arizona. The 49ers strung along Mordecai, an undrafted free agent last year, as a practice-squad project so he could slot in as the new QB3. If Brandon Allen also exits in free agency, the 49ers will need a new backup to Brock Purdy. Hey, Trey Lance is available!
Replacement: Isaac Guerendo
Analysis: Injuries robbed Mitchell of serving as the top backup to Christian McCaffrey and sidelined him all last season, so the 49ers are used to covering for Mitchell. They’ve reportedly put a second-round tender of $5.35 million to Jordan Mason as a restricted free agent, essentially locking him in as a backup with Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor Jr. and Israel Abanikanda. Taylor re-signed Monday on a one-year deal and Mason’s tender was reported by ESPN on Tuesday morning.
These 49ers remain on the market:
Quarterback Brandon Allen; wide receiver Chris Conley; tight end Eric Saubert; defensive tackles Kevin Givens and Khalil Davis; linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles; safety Tashaun Gipson; cornerbacks Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin and Nick McCloud; punter Pat O’Donnell; and, offensive linemen Charlie Heck and Jon Feliciano (retired).
Running back Jordan Mason and linebacker Curtis Robinson are restricted free agents.
Biggest needs
Defensive tackle: The draft is supposedly stocked with talent to conceivably replace veterans Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Free agents are capitalizing on an inflated market (see: Javon Kinlaw, $45 million contract over three years from Washington).
