With the new league year kicking off March 12, NFL teams are already deep into planning for the offseason.
Here are five moves the San Francisco 49ers should make in the coming months.
1. Get quarterback Brock Purdy signed
Is Brock Purdy a franchise guy at quarterback, or is he just a guy?
That is certainly a question that is still up for debate, but the 49ers are not really in a position to keep debating it.
With Purdy entering the final year of his rookie contract the time has come for them to extend him. It will not be cheap, but what other choice do they have?
He might not be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but they are also unlikely to find an upgrade at any point in the near future.
2. Make a decision on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk
The 49ers already made one big change at wide receiver by agreeing to trade Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick. It leaves them with a $31M dead cap number for the 2025 season and a big hole at the position.
Now they have to decide if they will make another bold move at the position involving Brandon Aiyuk.
They just re-signed Aiyuk to a new long-term contract extension last summer after months of trade rumors, but his first year did not go well, ended with an injury and teams are again reportedly calling about him.
There is also reportedly some frustration — and maybe even a little regret — from the organization.
The issue is that his trade value is only going to be a fraction of what it was a year ago.
3. Sign edge rusher Josh Sweat in free agency
The 49ers have needed to upgrade their pass rush and their defensive line for two years now. They tried to make that happen last offseason with very mixed results. It is still a problem, and it should be a priority again this offseason.
Signing former Philadelphia Eagles Edge rusher Josh Sweat would be a good way to help solve that.
He has been a four-year starter for the Eagles and was a big part of their Super Bowl winning defense and has recorded 33 sacks and four forced fumbles since the start of the 2021 season.
He should be one of the top available free agents this offseason.
4. Prioritize offensive line in the draft
The 49ers offensive line has taken a step back in recent years, and Trent Williams, as good as he is, is not going to play forever. Getting younger and getting better along the line has to be a priority here. Championships are won along the line, and the 49ers need help on both sides of it.
5. Add a wide receiver
They still have Aiyuk (for now), they still have Jauan Jennings and a developing Ricky Pearsall.
But the departure of Samuel leaves a big hole, and the uncertainty around Aiyuk creates even more questions.
They may not have to do it on the first two days of the draft, and they may not need to make a big splash in free agency, but adding more help on the outside has to be on the offseason to-do list.
