Despite Brock Purdy and George Kittle missing significant time with injuries last year, the 49ers still managed to field a top-10 scoring offense in the NFL.
Purdy is on track for the season opener, and the club is optimistic that Kittle, recovering from an Achilles injury, will either be ready for Week 1 or soon after.
Getting both players back for the bulk of the season will provide a huge lift for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Especially after Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch used free agency to add veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Here is a look at where things stand with the 49ers’ offensive depth chart after free agency and the draft:
Reserves: Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke, Adrian Martinez
The skinny: When healthy, Purdy has shown he can be a top-10-caliber quarterback. The key is to keep him healthy. He’s coming off a toe injury that cost him eight starts last year, but by all accounts, he has put that issue behind him. Jones showed last year he can deliver when called upon, winning five of his eight starts. The 49ers have a bargain on their hands, but with Jones playing on an expiring contract, he’s likely gone after this year to potentially chase more money and a real opportunity to start.
Bottom line: The 49ers are in great shape with Purdy and Jones, but developing a backup to take over when Jones leaves will be an objective this year. Rourke, now in his second season and fully healthy after dealing with a college knee injury, will have a big say in that.
Reserves: Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo, Sincere McCormick, Patrick Taylor Jr.
The skinny: McCaffrey has been a one-man show for years now. He’s as good as it gets in football, so why wouldn’t the 49ers lean into him as much as they do? But there’s a downside to that in terms of getting him through seasons and making sure he’s as physically fit as possible late in seasons. The 49ers have always been determined to do something about that, but they just haven’t been able to hit on a suitable sidekick to their star back. That’s where Black could come into play as a third-round pick who flashed as a runner and a pass catcher in college.
Bottom line: The 49ers would be ecstatic if Black pushed James for RB2 duties and provided a real second option to McCaffrey. Guerendo faces a big year proving he can be an asset, but it feels like time is running out for him in San Francisco.
The skinny: Still a stalwart blocker and an asset in the pass game when the 49ers call his number.
Bottom line: Thirteen years into his career, including nine with the 49ers, Juszczyk remains a key cog in the operation.
Starters: Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall
Reserves: De’Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, Malik Turner, Junior Bergen, Colton Dowell, Will Pauling, Wesley Grimes
The skinny: Evans and Kirk are essentially playing on one-year deals, and both are expected to pump life into the 49ers’ pass game. Pearsall faces a big year in terms of showing he can stay healthy and be counted on. He’s got a bright future if he can stay on the field. Stribling adds legitimate speed and could play an immediate role as an offset to the 49ers’ Big 3.
Bottom line: Part of the 49ers’ wide receiver room feels like it’s in get-by mode for 2026, with players such as Stribling and Pearsall having a chance to prove they can be big parts of the future. With the club operating with a very much Super Bowl-or-bust mentality, that feels like the right approach.
Reserves: Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis, Khalil Dinkins, Hayden Rucci
The skinny: So much of this is predicated on the availability of Kittle, who is recovering from an Achilles injury but could be on target to be on the field for the season opener. If so, Tonges and Farrell form a nice balance in reserve, with Farrell a good run blocker with some upside in the pass game, and Tonges showing he can shine when given more opportunities.
Bottom line: Kittle being healthy and effective for the full season would be a game-changer for the 49ers’ offense, and there is quality depth behind him.
Starters: LT Trent Williams, LG Robert Jones, C Jake Brendel, RG Dominick Puni, RT Colton McKivitz
Reserves: Austen Pleasants, Enrique Cruz Jr., Vederian Lowe, Brandon Parker, Drake Nugent, Isaac Alarcon, Connor Colby, Carver Willis, Nick Zakelj, Brett Toth, Zach Thomas
The skinny: The 49ers made sure Williams will be back for at least two more seasons by giving him a new contract extension, and he and McKivitz are an above-average tackle tandem. Lowe fills an important role backing up right and left tackle, with Cruz a developmental prospect after being selected on Day 3 of the draft. Puni is set at right guard after a strong season last year, with Jones, Willis and Colby competing for the left guard spot. Brendel has always been a “whole is better than the sum of his parts player,” but he’s fine at center.
Bottom line: It’s not the most physically talented offensive line room, but Shanahan and his staff do such a great job with scheming and technique that it’s more than up to the challenge for a Super Bowl-contending team.
