The San Francisco 49ers need a lot of additions to return to contention in future years.
Fortunately, we are now at the time of year when gift giving is in full swing.
In this article, I’ll play Father Christmas and tell you what Christmas gifts various members of the 49ers need to help the Niners return as Super Bowl contenders in 2025.
Kyle Shanahan – An offensive coordinator
Casual NFL fans will notice the visible aging of Shanahan over the course of his tenure as 49ers head coach.
Even Shanahan’s biggest supporters would concede that his offense has struggled this year. Adding an offensive coordinator to ease his workload should help Shanahan return the offense towards its 2023 peak.
Brock Purdy – A contract extension, not at the top of the market
Purdy is definitely better than any realistic alternative as the 49ers’ starting quarterback in 2025, but 2024 has shown that he is probably not an elite quarterback.
An extension somewhere in the second tier of contracts rewards Purdy for two and a half seasons of generally excellent play while ensuring the 49ers can keep most of their key assets moving forward.
The running backs – A four-leaf clover
The impact of starting a fifth string running back against the Dolphins last Sunday was notable.
A four-leaf clover should help Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and others avoid injury and better preserve their health in 2025.
Chris Foerster (offensive line coach) – New players
Pass protection has been an issue throughout the 49ers’ 2024 season, and their offensive line has also done no favours to the Niners’ running game.
Improvements along the line from left to right will be most welcome for Foerster in 2025.
Deebo Samuel – A dietician
This is perhaps a little tongue-in-cheek, but Deebo’s conditioning struggles have been notable since his phenomenal 2021 season.
When Deebo is in shape, he is a huge offensive weapon. When he is out of shape, his contributions are minimal.
If Deebo returns to San Francisco in 2025, he needs to ensure he is in shape to attack the season appropriately.
Jake Moody – A compass
Moody had a decent if not spectacular rookie season, but his 2024 effort has been a disaster.
A compass will help Moody’s kicking radar and begin to justify the third round pick spent on the kicker in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Brian Schneider (special teams coordinator) – A P45
This one is long overdue. The 49ers’ special teams have been nothing short of shocking in 2024 and Hightower should have been fired long before now.
A new special teams coordinator hopefully puts the 49ers’ third phase of the game back on track in 2025.
De’Vondre Campbell – A lump of coal
This needs little explanation. Campbell is still officially on the 49ers’ roster, and his refusal to play in Week 15 still stings.
Jauan Jennings – The Len Eshmont Award
We end on a more positive note. For non-49ers fans, this award is given annually to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont – an original member of the 1946 49ers team.
There are few contenders for the award this year and I have wanted to give Jennings his due for numerous weeks now – he has been excellent and set a fantastic example that others should have followed.
Deommodore Lenoir is another contender for this award.
