What Can the 49ers Expect in the 2026 NFL Free Agency Market?
Having finished 12-5 in the 2025 regular season, any fan could have been confident in the trajectory of their team’s future. Yet, if you were to ask any San Francisco 49ers fan what the 2025 season felt like, many would describe it as a season to forget. After winning against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card game, the Niners were blown out by the eventual Super Bowl winners and division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. Even then, many Niners fans would cite a different reason for their pain, namely the horrific and unprecedented injury crisis the team faces. To name a few, the 49ers lost Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Brock Purdy for the majority of the 2025 season, with Purdy missing eight games while Bosa and Warner both suffered season-ending injuries. The 2026 season already looks to be grim with Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle hurts his hamstrings and looks to miss a large portion of the 2026 season.
Expected Losses
On top of the pile of injuries, the 49ers are set to lose many of their star offensive players. With Brandon Aiyuk’s devastating injury and contract drama, the 49ers have publicly cut the player from future plans and will surely be looking for a replacement on the market. The Niners also look to lose another starter receiver in Jauan Jennings, leaving them with only one guaranteed starter in Ricky Pearsall. On the defensive side, the Niners look to lose two defensive cornerstones in Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw, who both came off grueling injuries that made both their 2025 seasons average.
Who to Expect
With many starters expected to leave or sit on the sideline, the 49ers will undoubtedly have to explore the market for free agents and trades alike. Former players like Deebo Samuel have expressed interest in returning to the 49ers as a free agent along with Kendrick Bourne. The Niners have also been rumored to re-sign Trent Williams, as he reportedly told the front office he wishes to retire as a Niner. Some notable players the 49ers have eyes on have been big names like Joey Bosa, who is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to play with his brother Nick for the Niners. Another big name thrown around in rumors is that Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby may look for a new home as the Raiders look to rebuild under Klint Klubniak. Now would be a perfect time for the Raiders and the Niners to trade Crosby, as Crosby would greatly help the league-worst pass rush. Crosby would also help the Raiders retain insane draft capital and would take a high-paid player off the roster and start a successful rebuild. With Crosby being one of the best defensive players in the league, the Niners will surely be looking to sign the big-name star and bring him to the Bay to give the Niners another chance at a quickly closing Super Bowl window.
