The 49ers have undoubtedly had a disappointing 2024 season, indicating that these five players will not return next season. It would be an understatement to say that the San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 season has not gone as planned.
Playoff hopes are already on the ropes nearing the final stretch of the regular season, and head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad is looking at the hard reality of watching postseason football from the comfort of the couch instead of partaking in it, which has been the case every year since the dreadful injury-plagued 2020 campaign.
At least that likely points to an early jump on offseason plans to get better for 2025.
Part of getting better entails “trimming the fat,” or saying goodbye to players who don’t fit into Shanahan and general manager John Lynch’s long-term goals.
The Niners should have no interest in maintaining these five guys next season, whether through roster cuts or free agency.
However, no other San Francisco player has missed more tackles this season than Campbell (12), and the former All-Pro is also a significant problem in coverage. Perhaps Campbell has borne the brunt of 49ers supporters’ anger with the team’s disappointing performance this season, but that doesn’t mean he should return in 2025, when his one-year contract expires.
No. 1: Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell
To be fair to De’Vondre Campbell, he was the contingency plan for injured linebacker Dre Greenlaw. And, with Greenlaw approaching a return, Campbell should see little of the field on defense down the stretch.
However, no other San Francisco player has missed more tackles this season than Campbell (12), and the former All-Pro is also a significant problem in coverage. Perhaps Campbell has borne the brunt of 49ers supporters’ anger with the team’s disappointing performance this season, but that doesn’t mean he should return in 2025, when his one-year contract expires.
No. 2: Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave
San Francisco was praised for signing Pro Bowl defensive lineman Javon Hargrave in free agency heading into 2023, and he did make an impact in his first year in the Bay Area.
However, a triceps rupture early in 2024 put him on injured reserve, limiting the 49ers a strong interior presence. Hargrave, 31, is unlikely to fit into the Niners’ long-term plans, especially given the team’s need to get younger and cheaper. Despite being committed until 2026, San Francisco could save more than $20.7 million in cap space next year (and $22.48 million the year after) if he is released with a post-June 1 designation this offseason, according to Over the Cap.
No. 3: Safety Talanoa Hufanga
Unlike Campbell, Talanoa Hufanga remains a fan favorite, having established himself as a playmaker in 2022 before being sidelined for the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injury.
The Niners appear to have their starting safety combo in place for the future in second-year pro Ji’Ayir Brown and rookie Malik Mustapha, who will be a free agency in 2025. While experienced safety depth is vital, it’s difficult to see Hufanga staying on a new pricey contract.
No. 4: Cornerback Charvarius Ward
Ward isn’t included here because of poor performance or the possibility of becoming a cap casualty. If anything, San Francisco will be unable to pay to keep him when he becomes a free agent in 2025.
The 49ers made a major investment in Lenoir, who is younger and more versatile, capable of playing on the boundary or over the slot. While Ward is still an effective cornerback, the Niners will have a difficult time justifying paying top bucks for two corners.
This is especially true with quarterback Brock Purdy set to get a lucrative extension this offseason. Ward made it apparent that he would not return with San Francisco on a team-friendly contract, and there is a good probability he will earn a large salary elsewhere this summer.
No. 4: Cornerback Isaac Yiadom
Yes, Campbell receives a lot of heat. Not far behind him has been veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom, who appeared to be a hidden gem of a find last season in free agency but has since turned into quite the burden inside the secondary when he’s taken the field.
The 49ers signed him on a one-year deal to provide starting-caliber depth behind Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, and Yiadom has done just that. However, given the rise of rookie cornerback Renardo Green, Yiadom’s role with the Niners will end when his contract expires at the start of the NFL’s new year.
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