Our offseason opponent breakdown series on theRams.com rolls on with Los Angeles' Week 5 and 10 opponent, the San Francisco 49ers (Week 5: SoFi Stadium, Oct. 2, 5:15 p.m. PT on Amazon Prime Video; Week 10: Levi's Stadium, Nov. 9, 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX).
2024
The 49ers had their worst record since 2018 last season. Their injury-marred 6-11 campaign came on the heels of season-ending injuries to star running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk early in the year. All-Pro tackle Trent Williams (seven games missed) and first-round receiver Ricky Pearsall (six games missed after recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest during an attempted robbery in the preseason) were also sidelined due to injury.
It was the first time since 2020 and the third time since 2017 that a Kyle Shanahan-led offense ranked outside the top 10 in rushing yards.
Several defensive players also missed extended time, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave all played less than eight games. Those were just some of the absences that tipped the 49ers' season off the rails after making a Super Bowl run in 2023. The defense ranked 29th in the league in points allowed (25.6), the worst in the Shanahan era.
Key changes
A fresh bill of health will be a big change for San Francisco in 2025. Still, it lost key playmakers and added some influential pieces to replace them this offseason. The Niners' first five picks of the 2025 draft were all used on defense, including Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams in the first round and Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins in the second.
The 49ers lost Greenlaw and Hufanga to the Broncos in free agency, traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Commanders and lost cornerback Charvarius Ward to the Colts in free agency. They also released outside linebacker Leonard Floyd along with defensive linemen Hargrave and Maliek Collins.
In free agency, they added wide receiver Demarcus Robinson from the Rams, former Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown and former Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones. He will back up starter Brock Purdy, who they signed to a five-year extension this past week.
Head coach
Shanahan is entering his ninth season as head coach of the 49ers. In that time, he's accumulated a 70-62 regular-season record and an 8-4 playoff record, winning the NFC twice.
What to watch for
Rams' pass catchers vs 49ers' pass defense
Despite debilitating injuries, the 49ers' defense allowed the fifth-fewest pass yards per game (192.8) in 2024. With All-Pro inside linebacker Fred Warner patrolling the middle of the field, defensive end Nick Bosa rushing the passer and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir in the slot, this San Francisco pass defense still has elite talent, even after enduring significant losses this offseason.
Much of the Rams' offensive starters will return in 2025, and they added All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the fold along with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson. So, after averaging 227.5 passing yards per game last season (10th in the league), L.A.'s rejuvenated passing attack and rare coaching staff continuity has it primed to surpass last year's numbers.
