Analysts Are Quickly Changing Their Minds About 49ers' Season in 2025
The San Francisco 49ers suffered through a horrible 6-11 mark last season and finished last in the competitive NFC West.
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The 2024 season was plagued by poor play at key positions, but also a ton of injuries.
That's why health is being cited as a key for the 49ers to get back on track in 2025, along with top-tier players performing like they have during more successful seasons.
CBS Sports' Charles Davis noted a weak division as the reason he thinks San Francisco could have a rebound year.
'I know this might be a little bit controversial. I feel like people have taken the 49ers and said their best days are behind them, but I'm BUYING it," Davis said when asked whether he would buy or sell the team's chances of winning the division. "Because I think the NFC West is out there for whoever wants to go it, and I'm counting on these 49ers to have a much better health this season than last season.'
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FOX Sports' Joy Taylor agrees.
'I think we're writing the Niners off a little too soon. I think they're going to look very different this year. Which apparently offended everyone," Taylor said on "Speak" on FS1. "I don't know, I can't keep up. Snowflakes out here get offended by everything.'
One major reason to be optimistic is the return of a hopefully healthy Christian McCaffrey, who recently commented on his approach to his recovery in the gym.
"I think this offseason I spent a lot of time kind of building back a base, starting from scratch," McCaffrey said. "So, a lot of it was rehab, and I wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs and I could practice, play football again, be healthy and not miss a day. And I did that, and now we can kind of kick back up the training again. But I feel great.
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"I've had a lot of people tell me as you get older you need to do less. I think there's a middle ground with that statement. For me, it's kind of a constant evaluation of where your body's at and what you need."
Related: 49ers Ex Destroys Former Team With Blockbuster Trade 'Hot Take'
Related: 49ers' CB Search Should Include These 3 Free Agents
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

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