3 players 49ers must re-sign this offseason after flaming out of playoffs

The San Francisco 49ers had a season defined by survival, then collapse. It was less about dominance and more about endurance. Kyle Shanahan’s group absorbed a staggering series of blows and still found a way to win 12 games. That’s a testament to the culture and schematic clarity that have defined this era of football in Santa Clara. Losing Nick Bosa to an ACL tear and Fred Warner to a season-ending ankle injury should have been fatal to any contender. Instead, the 49ers leaned into their ‘next man up’ ethos. They cobbled together enough defense and offensive efficiency behind Brock Purdy to stay afloat in a rugged NFC West.

Offensively, the flashes were still there. Purdy orchestrated stretches of elite execution, the run game remained structurally sound. San Francisco managed to grind out a hard-nosed road Wild Card win over the Eagles that briefly rekindled Super Bowl belief. That said, the injury attrition kept mounting. By the time George Kittle went down with an Achilles injury, the roster was operating without its emotional, physical, and center of gravity. Every win began to feel like borrowed time.

When depth ran out

That clock expired in emphatic fashion at Lumen Field. In the Divisional Round, the 49ers were overwhelmed 41-6 by a Seahawks team that exploited every crack left by injuries and exhaustion. San Francisco’s defense was stripped of its stars and rotational depth. They just couldn’t survive Seattle’s vertical stress. The offense, missing its core playmakers, struggled to sustain drives or control tempo.

The blowout ended more than a season. It exposed how thin the margin has become for a roster built to contend every year. Now, uncertainty swirl around Brandon Aiyuk’s future. A long list of contributors also heads toward free agency. As such, the 49ers enter 2026 have to choose between adjusting the supporting cast now, or risk watching the championship window quietly close.

Offseason pressure points

One of the first and loudest questions the 49ers must answer centers on Aiyuk. Though under contract through 2028, reports revealed the team’s willingness to void his 2026 guarantees after a season defined by off-field issues and a recovery from a torn ACL. That development has cleared the runway for a potential split.

If Aiyuk is indeed gone, San Francisco’s wide receiver room becomes alarmingly thin. Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and a handful of younger options suddenly loom large. Beyond receiver, the front office must decide which role players are essential to sustaining Shanahan’s ecosystem. Names like Spencer Burford, Jordan Elliott, Thomas Morstead, and Eddy Pineiro all sit in the balance. In short, this is a year where continuity matters as much as star power.

WR Jauan Jennings

Key stats: 55 receptions, 643 yards, team-high 9 receiving touchdowns.

In a year marked by chaos at wide receiver, Jennings evolved from cult hero into offensive centerpiece. “Third and Jauan” was a weekly reality. He led the team in receiving touchdowns and thrived in contested situations. Jennings also became Purdy’s go-to option in the red zone and on critical downs. When the offense bogged down late in the season, Jennings’ physicality was often the only thing keeping drives alive.

If Aiyuk departs, Jennings instantly becomes the most important receiver on the roster. That is not just statistically but culturally. He understands Shanahan’s blocking demands, route adjustments, and situational football better than anyone in the room. Letting him walk would mean tearing out the engine of an offense already in transition.

WR Kendrick Bourne

Key stats: 37 receptions, 551 yards.

Bourne’s return to San Francisco delivered exactly what the team needed. He provided calm, reliability, and institutional memory. He remained efficient and trustworthy, particularly on intermediate routes where timing and chemistry matter most. His familiarity with Shanahan’s system allowed him to slot in seamlessly during the late-season push.

The 49ers’ receiver room is a construction zone, not a finished product. Bourne offers cap-friendly stability and positional versatility. That veteran presence allows younger players to develop without being rushed into roles they’re not ready to handle. In a post-Aiyuk world, he’s the perfect bridge piece.

RB Brian Robinson Jr

Key stats: 92 carries, 400 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, played all 17 games.

Robinson delivered immediate value in San Francisco. His downhill style gave the 49ers a physical counterbalance to Christian McCaffrey. Robinson punished defenses late in games. He excelled in four-minute situations and was instrumental in the Wild Card win over Philadelphia. That’s where clock control became survival.

The injury-ravaged 2025 season made one truth unavoidable. Leaning entirely on McCaffrey for 17-plus games might eventually be unsustainable. Robinson thrives in Shanahan’s zone concepts and brings a toughness that travels in January. He’s insurance for a team that just learned how fragile depth can be.

Holding the window open

The 49ers don’t need a dramatic reset. They need targeted retention. Re-signing Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Brian Robinson Jr preserves offensive identity. This also protects Brock Purdy and safeguards against another injury-fueled collapse. In a league where continuity is increasingly rare, San Francisco’s smartest move this offseason is simple. Keep the players who held everything together when it nearly fell apart.

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