49ers mailbag: What’s biggest thing that must improve in 2025?
SANTA CLARA — I’m making my list and checking it twice with all the 49ers fans’ questions in our social media mailbox. This mailbag may not be so nice:
What’s the biggest thing we need to improve on this offseason? (@rymacd22)
They must recharge themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally – areas in which one veteran told me he’s absolutely drained, with three games to go. From a roster perspective, I’ll respectfully disagree with Nick Bosa (not the aforementioned veteran) and insist the 49ers revert back to their core principle of making the defensive line their driving force, which it wasn’t this year.
Bosa wants all the D-linemen back, and that’s fine. But the 49ers must bring in more A-grade talent to compete and star alongside him. Arik Armstead’s release impacted that unit more than the 49ers anticipated, from his leadership to his interior force. The new players didn’t adapt or produce quickly enough, nor did the younger returnees.
Are we going to keep Dre Greenlaw? (@_ngu.john_)
The 49ers hope so. They’d face stiffer competition in free agency had he not torn his Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. As instantly dominant as he was in last week’s season debut (30 snaps, eight tackles), his wear and tear will scare potential suitors, at least in terms of luring him with the multi-year massive contract he proved worthy of in previous years. Fred Warner’s perfect complement is Greenlaw, definitely not DeVondre Campbell.
Greenlaw deserves more than a one-year prove-it deal. So the 49ers should re-sign him to a multi-year contract that has an escape clause or protects the team beyond 2025. He’s no secret, though, especially to coaches and personnel men who’ve advanced their careers elsewhere,l. “Honestly the only thing that goes to my mind is whupping Miami’s (butt), doing it with my brothers, having fun, and enjoying the game,” Greenlaw said of Sunday’s visit to the Dolphins. “Can’t think about (free agency). It is going to come regardless.”
As for other top free agents, the safety market annually resembles quicksand, so the 49ers likely can rescue and retain Talanoa Hufanga; cornerback Charvarius Ward figures to seek a fresh start near his southern roots after the most traumatic of seasons; and, offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore could strike it richer elsewhere thanks to supply and demand.
Is Deebo getting traded? (@beatumst) If the Niners trade Deebo, who do you want to take his place? (@_batmanlover1)
Samuel’s trade value has dropped even more than last offseason, when the 49ers considered dealing him and instead reworked his contract. That move made a 2025 exit fiscally doubtful. But the NFL’s salary cap always allows wiggle room. If the 49ers are fed up, he can be exiled. With Brandon Aiyuk coming off knee reconstruction, that may further entice the 49ers to keep Samuel on a corps that still needs more than Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall.
Kyle Shanahan remains Samuel’s staunchest supporter, at least publicly. After pointing out Samuel’s early-season health issues (calf, pneumonia), Shanahan added: “By no means do I think he’s lost it or anything.” Instead, Shanahan said the whole offense regressed in that no one is playing near past seasons’ outputs.
Bill Walsh told players he’d move on from them just before they were past their best. Have John and Kyle been doing the opposite? (@dominiovinci)
Great question. These 49ers don’t cut bait on star players and instead reward many with contracts or raises, only for injuries to derail plans, including this year’s trifecta of Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Brandon Aiyuk. Starters who’ve previously skipped town: left guard Laken Tomlinson, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, right tackle Mike McGlinchey, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, defensive back Jimmie Ward, and defensive linemen such as Armstead, Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell, Charles Omenihu, Arden Key and more.
I love the “local” media coverage, you all are my go-to for in-depth coverage. How do you guys feel when national reporters seem to get scoops (e.g. Glazer’s news about Lynch’s ‘Red 47’ on the sideline)? (@telebears)
The definition of “scoops” has changed over my 25 years covering this team. When it comes to a player transaction, agents often ignore the locals to instead feed national reporters (some of whom are represented by the same agency, but all of whom work their phone/text lines like pros’ pros). When it comes to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, he’s cultivated strong relationships over the decades, including one with Lynch, and Glazer knows darn well the 49ers’ general manager wouldn’t stand for a suited-up Niner refusing to play. Let me add that there is no local vs. national feud, but rather mutual respect.
Thoughts on California state of emergency for bird flu? (@RoscoeJenk52035)
Well, the 49ers did lose to the Cardinals and the Seahawks at home this season, and those NFC West defeats triggered their demise as two-time reigning NFC West champs. Last December, the 49ers successfully went bird hunting with successive wins over the Seahawks, Eagles, Seahawks and Cardinals, before the Ravens swooped in and ruined Christmas, those filthy animals.