This week sees the beginning of the construction of the 2026 49ers, as the new league year rolls into view. There’s already lots of things to talk about, so let’s not waste any time.

My Hottest Take: Free Agency won’t be what 49ers fans expect (and for once, I’m not happy about it)

If you’re a regular reader of this column, you’ve probably got, broadly, an idea of the way I react to most things the 49ers do. At the end of the day, I’ve been a fan for 21 years, so my reaction to decisions by the franchise is usually not one of anger or upset, but, especially now I’m employed to write and analyse the team, one of trying to work out exactly why they’ve done what they’re doing.

For the first time in the Kyle Shanahan / John Lynch era, I’m really struggling to work out what’s going on out there. Last season’s purge of defensive veterans and general tear-down of an underperforming team was fine with me–the vast majority of players who left didn’t go on to tear up any trees elsewhere, and most (including Javon Hargrave, one of the ones that provoked the most whinging) are back on the free-agency market after their new teams find out what the 49ers already knew. So that’s fine.

This offseason, however, I’m lost as to the plan. With the Seahawks the reigning champions and the Rams making aggressive moves like trading for Trent McDuffie, the 49ers’ major contributions to the offseason so far are to fall out with left tackle Trent Williams and seemingly dangle second-year cornerback Renardo Green on the trade market, neither of which make much sense to me–both are positions lacking quality depth, and while there’s a gulf in class about both players, both are capable, with Green having potential rather than proven ability.

That would be fine if there was something on the horizon to inspire some hope, or even an aggressive move in the backchannels, but nothing seems to be imminent. I can’t fault the team for not wanting to trade two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby, an ageing player with a huge contract, but this list of supposed free agent targets:

• WR Romeo Doubs

• WR Alec Pierce

• CB Montaric Brown

• CB Riq Woolen

• LB Kaden Ellis

Hardly moves the blood pressure, heart rate, or soul. At best, they feel like average pieces who, in Pierce’s case, look set to land ridiculous deals. To use a phrase from my more chronically online days ... meh.

I do however suspect this is the norm. Ignore the hype about potential trades for Jalen Carter, Brian Thomas Jr., whoever else–they’ve become a franchise that’s always "in" on these deals, but never gets them done–and expect the Niners to sign a patch of mid-tier free agents rather than one or two transformational pieces. I’ve always wanted Tyler Linderbaum, but no chance is that happening. Not with the way this front office are currently doing business.

Maybe I’ll be wrong, and I’ll give every move the due consideration as to whether it moves the needle, but I can’t recall going into a year with such muted optimism about what the Niners will, or won’t, produce. My biggest fear is not keeping around Trent Williams, or building on the offensive line at all, and essentially consigning this iteration of the 49ers Superbowl window to death.

You Should Know: Keep an eye on these names with the 49ers

Here are some players I think the 49ers could target by position, and why:

- QB - I don’t see much movement at QB unless the team can nail a Mac Jones trade. The obvious link if he does leave is Kirk Cousins, although presumably he wants to start somewhere. Kenny Pickett, maybe?

- RB - Kenneth Gainwell – One of the younger and cheaper backs in free agency, he adds running and receiving ability (remember, you need it for Shanahan’s offense, that’s why Jordan Mason isn’t here any more) at a cost-effective level.

- WR – Outside of the mooted "big" moves, I’ll go with Darnell Mooney – The 49ers love a low-cost veteran flyer at the position (like Demarcus Robinson), and Mooney’s a flyer in both senses of the word–he adds some much-needed deep speed.

- TE – Slim pickings here, but perhaps Jonnu Smith, if his price isn’t too high? A solid all-rounder who would definitely help both fill the Kittle void and partner him well. Not sure that this happens given the absurd choice to pay Luke Farrell last year, though.

- OL - Outside of Tyler Linderbaum, I really don’t care. Just infuse the unit with some talent, for the love of god. I’d put most of my money on Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford being back, though, because doing exactly what we’ve done eighteen times before is exactly the last thing they’ll expect us to do this time. Joel Bitonio might be a nice veteran leader to some young talent, if we ever drafted any there.

- EDGE – It’s hard to predict this one. Might we really splash on Trey Hendrickson? I doubt it, but the possibility’s been mentioned. Jaelan Phillips eems possible given earlier trade interest, but I wonder if Kwity Paye may draw some interest in a soft market? He’s never quite hit his potential, but perhaps Kris Kocurek, Raheem Morris and Matt Eberflus could unlock him. Also, prepare for another tedious few days of "Will the Bosas play together?!?!?!?!!1111"–no, they will not, and at this point, there’s little point.

- DL – I’d love to see Cameron Jordan return to his college town to beef up the 49ers DL. Outside of that, could John Franklin-Myers or David Onyemata be a guy for them? The latter has been working with Morris for two years. Maybe Sheldon Rankins as a veteran familiar with a 49ers-style schme?

- LB – This is a hard one to gauge since the change in defensive scheme. The Saleh or Saleh-inspired schemes would’ve been looking for coverage guys here, but the Niners might have tweeners on the menu, like the aforementioned Kaden Ellis. Tough call. Get cheeky and yank Leo Chanal from the Chiefs?

- CB – The team seems to have some serious interest in adding someone here, with Renardo Green reportedly on the outs. I think the team should keep Green and add someone here, because the depth at corner outside of Lenoir, Green, and Stout is absolutely horrific–if Darrell Luter starts another NFL game, the 49ers front office should be in jail. Montaric Brown seems to make the most sense, as he’ll cost less than Woolen and might be as good.

- S – Were I running the 49ers, this, edge, and the OL would be my first three position groups to start making calls on in free agency. Assuming the likes of Bryan Cook and Jaylinn Hawkins are out of the 49ers price range, I quite like Jalen Thompson here, but the name that’s come back to me consistently is Andre Cisco. His injury history has definitely not helped his reputation, nor will it help him command a big contract, and that might just mean he falls into the sweet spot with the 49ers. A solid, veteran safety who can tackle and cover, he’d be a fine start for Raheem Morris.

I’ll do a little report card on how many of these names make it to the team for 2026. My guess? Not many. But I know about as much as anyone else does right now.

Before You Go: One domino falls, and it’s a good one

One signing is done, at least. As I was germinating this column, news came through that the 49ers had kept a key special teams contributor, signing kicker Eddy Pineiro to a multi-year contract, reported as four-year, $17 million with $10 million guaranteed. I’ve picked up a little complaining (surprise surprise) about the price point of this one, but I have to say, I’m behind it. Going into the season with a solid special teams situation should be a no-brainer for the Niners after the past couple of years, and keeping around snapper Jon Weeks and kicker Pineiro were, to me at least, no-brainers. The complaints seem to center around the "priciness" of the kicker’s deal, although if I’m honest, $4 million a year on average for a guy who is routinely making kicks that win or lose games seems like nothing to me.

Welcome back, Eddy. Let’s see if Thomas Morstead joins you …

All that, and a reaction to what the 49ers did, or more likely didn’t do, in free agency, coming next week!