The San Francisco 49ers finalized their 53-man roster on Tuesday, Aug. 28. Many stars for the team will be returning for the season. Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk got new contracts and will remain with the team this season. This is the year for the 49ers.
The 49ers signed future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams to a three-year deal at $82 million. Williams is worth every penny and deserves this contract. Williams is among the best players on the 49ers and among the best left tackles in the league. The question is whether he will be worth the contract in a few years as he is approaching 36 years old.
The 49ers also signed Brandon Aiyuk this summer to a four year 120 million dollar deal. During the summer and training camp, it seemed likely that Aiyuk was going to be traded due to multiple reports that he would be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Commanders.
Brandon Aiyuk is one of the top receivers for the team. Aiyuk recorded 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. Aiyuk is one of the top receivers for the team and having the 26-year-old receiver back will be big for the team’s success this season and moving forward.
The 49ers look to get back some of the defensive pieces this year. Safety Talona Hufanga was lifted off the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL last November. After some rest, this now means that Hufunga will be available for the first four games of the season. Hufanga was one of the best defensive players for the team in 2020 and was an All-Pro in the same year. Hufanga’s contract is up after this season and if he has another All-Pro season this year the 49ers most likely won’t be able to afford him going forward.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw will miss the first four weeks of the season after he was placed on the list of physically unable to perform. Dre Greenlaw suffered a torn achilles in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Greenlaw provides a physical edge next to Fred Warner. Greenlaw is facing the same situation as Hufanga as his contract will also expire after this season. If Greenlaw has a massive year he will most likely sign somewhere else after this season. The 49ers need to take advantage of having Greenlaw and Hufanga on their rosters because this could potentially be both of their last years on the team.
The most unproven part of this team will be the defensive coaching. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was fired by the 49ers after the Super Bowl loss. Nick Sorenson was promoted from defensive game passing specialist to defensive coordinator after Wilks was fired.
Brandon Staley will join Nick Sorenson on the defensive coaching staff. Staley was the head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers last year. We know the offensive play calling will be good with Kyle Shanahan playing calls but we can’t say the same with the first-year defensive coordinator. Brandon Staley’s coaching is in question after leading a poor defense last year. The 49ers will need a strong defense if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers are poised for a big year. This is a must-win year for the 49ers. The team won’t be able to afford all of the stars on the team as Brock Purdy approaches the last year of his rookie contract. Purdy is slated for a monster contract next season which will affect the team’s salary cap and who they’ll be able to surround the Pro Bowl quarterback with.
