The San Francisco 49ers went from making the Super Bowl to not even making the playoffs in the span of a year.
That’s how tough it is to stay competitive in this league, and it had nothing to do with talent.
The injury bug stung Kyle Shanahan’s team all through the year.
Then, they lost some key pieces in the offseason.
Nevertheless, John Middlekauff and Derek Brown still like their chances.
Talking on their “3 & Out” podcast, they agreed that TE George Kittle, RB Christian McCaffrey, and second-year WR Ricky Pearsall should be in for a massive season.
“I just don’t see how [they] don’t have massive seasons,” Middlekauff said.
“I just don’t see how [they] don’t have massive seasons.”@JohnMiddlekauff and @DBro_FFB believe Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle & Ricky Pearsall are in store for a big season for the @49ers. pic.twitter.com/UqcCs1G4LS
— 3&OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) August 27, 2025
They raved about a healthy McCaffrey and what he’s always shown he’s capable of, and they believe that Kittle will be heavily involved in the passing game again.
As for Pearsall, they gushed about his chemistry with Brock Purdy, noting that they’ve clearly been getting a ton of work together.
On paper, the Niners should do fine on offense.
Kyle Shanahan is one of the best offensive gurus in the game, and he can make anybody run for 100+ yards on any given night.
Then again, neither McCaffrey nor Kittle is known for their durability.
They’ve always been prone to getting hurt, and banking their hopes on them being able to stay on the field might not be the wisest approach.
As for Purdy, he still has to prove himself after breaking the bank with his new contract.
The Niners are worth keeping an eye on, but they look like a bit of a wild card right now.
