49ers Webzone News and Updates 49ers Webzone is your San Francisco 49ers online resource featuring up to date news, commentary and the largest 49ers fan community on the web. en-us https://www.49erswebzone.com Fri, 15 May 2026 14:47:00 PDT Fri, 15 May 2026 14:47:00 PDT 49ers predictions: NFL experts forecast San Francisco's record, playoff chances https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200795-predictions-nfl-forecast-san-franciscos/ Fri, 15 May 2026 14:47:00 PDT 2026-05-15T14:47:00-07:00 David Bonilla cf9c81a114eb4d244cc5df805512fffb
The 49ers spent the offseason retooling their roster in an effort to remain among the NFC's top contenders. They continued their overhaul of the defensive front with the addition of Osa Odighizuwa and the selection of Romello Height in the 2026 NFL Draft.

San Francisco's wide receiver room also underwent significant changes. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are gone, while Brandon Aiyuk will eventually follow. To replenish the position group, the 49ers added veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and used their top draft pick on De'Zhaun Stribling.

The NFL officially unveiled its full 272-game regular-season schedule on Thursday, prompting experts to release their early predictions for the 2026 season.

Here's a look at what several of those projections are forecasting for the 49ers after last season's 12-5 finish and postseason berth.

Jacob Camenker, USA Today


San Francisco 49ers schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2026 season

Jacob Camenker projects the 49ers to match last season's 12-5 record, citing the benefits of a third-place schedule and several favorable matchups throughout the year. One has to assume that the record would be enough to clinch a playoff berth.

"The 49ers seem poised to contend for the NFC West title again," Camenker wrote. "Their path to winning this season will be much easier than the one the Seahawks and Rams face, as San Francisco has a lot of favorable matchups on its schedule."

Camenker also pointed to the returns of defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, along with the addition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, as reasons for optimism heading into the 2026 season.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News


San Francisco 49ers schedule 2026: Dates & times for all 17 games, strength of schedule and predictions

Vinnie Iyer also sees the 49ers benefiting from a manageable schedule, though he acknowledged the challenges of competing in the NFC West.

Iyer identified home matchups against the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles, along with road games versus the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys, as San Francisco's toughest tests.

His projection also lands the 49ers at 12-5.

"The 49ers had to remix their offense with Brock Purdy, changing the receiving corps most," Iyer wrote. "They also had to figure out more defensive answers with coordinator Robert Saleh leaving after his one-season return to take over the Titans.

"San Francisco has a strong floor with its running game, should Christian McCaffrey stay healthy again. It also got some needed defensive reinforcements in getting sparked by a new scheme under Raheem Morris. That should be good enough to at least match 2025."

Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area


Matt Maiocco's way-too-early 49ers game-by-game predictions for 2026 NFL season

Longtime 49ers insider Matt Maiocco believes San Francisco will take a slight step back in the win column but still return to the playoffs with a solid record.

"After tabulating the returns, it looks like an 11-6 season and a return trip to the playoffs for Kyle Shanahan and Co," Maiocco wrote.

Maiocco projects losses against the Denver Broncos in Week 4, the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5, the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10, the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14, the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.

Eric D. Williams, FOX Sports


2026 San Francisco 49ers Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Eric D. Williams is slightly less optimistic, projecting the 49ers to finish 10-6, though he did not specify whether that record would be enough to secure a postseason berth.

"The San Francisco 49ers improved on offense with the additions of veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, and the return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw in free agency should help bring intensity and juice back to the defense," Williams wrote.]]> Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images 49ers win-loss record: Writer predicts step back for San Francisco in 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200791-win-loss-record-predicts-san-francisco/ Fri, 15 May 2026 09:44:25 PDT 2026-05-15T09:44:25-07:00 David Bonilla 0e93bf97b9f1c6c2c199d2fd2d8f44b6
Following the NFL's release of the full 272-game regular-season schedule, Moton predicted every team's final record for 2026. He has San Francisco finishing 9-8, marking a notable decline from last season.

Within the NFC West, Moton projects the Los Angeles Rams to capture the division title with a 13-4 record. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are projected to finish 11-6, while the Arizona Cardinals are expected to go 3-14.

A major factor behind Moton's projection is concern over the availability of several key 49ers players. San Francisco battled significant injuries throughout the 2025 season, and Moton believes similar concerns could again impact the team's ceiling in 2026. Still, he acknowledged that, when at full strength, the 49ers can compete with any opponent.

"That said, TE George Kittle is recovering from a torn Achilles entering his age-32 season. At 32 last year, Mike Evans missed nine games due to injuries," Moton wrote. "Late in the previous campaign, LT Trent Williams strained his hamstring, which cost him time. RB Christian McCaffrey bounced back from an injury-riddled 2024 term, but he has a lot of wear-and-tear on his body entering a 10th year in the pros.

"You can also toss in QB Brock Purdy's injury history as a legitimate concern. As a smaller-than-average quarterback, he's been banged up. The 6'1", 220-pound signal-caller missed eight games last year."

While Kittle remains optimistic about being ready for Week 1, Moton pointed to what he views as an aging supporting cast surrounding Purdy. Defensively, he added that new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will need both Nick Bosa and Fred Warner at full strength for the unit to return to elite form in 2026.

"In recent years, the 49ers have seemed to be a few injuries away from disaster," Moton wrote. "They're healthy enough to get the benefit of the doubt right now. Yet we should factor in the shaky availability of older veterans on the roster when projecting the team's win-loss record on a travel meter of over 38,000 miles in the upcoming season."]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images 49ers predictions: Analyst projects 2026 wins, stats for Purdy, McCaffrey, and more https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200789-49ers-predictions-analyst-projects-mccaffrey/ Fri, 15 May 2026 09:01:26 PDT 2026-05-15T09:01:26-07:00 David Bonilla 0923a76dd4b5e0cb9c75055c10b67eaa updated projections for the 2026 NFL season, including several key statistical forecasts for the San Francisco 49ers.

Clay projects the NFC West to be one of the league's toughest divisions in 2026. He has the 49ers finishing third with an estimated 9.5 wins, behind the Los Angeles Rams at 13.2 wins and the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at 11.2 wins.

Despite the projected third-place finish, San Francisco would still qualify for the playoffs as the NFC's seventh seed. In Clay's league-wide projections, that would set up a road matchup against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round.


According to the projections, the 49ers have a win probability of at least 50 percent in only nine games, which helps explain the projected win total. Clay also forecasts San Francisco's offense to finish third in the NFL in passing yards and eighth in rushing yards.

At quarterback, Brock Purdy is projected to throw for 4,182 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while adding 277 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Running back Christian McCaffrey is projected to once again lead the ground game with 1,149 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Clay also forecasts McCaffrey to contribute 80 catches for 695 yards and five touchdowns.

Among pass catchers, veteran wide receiver Mike Evans—one of the 49ers' biggest offseason additions—is projected to lead the team with 925 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Third-year receiver Ricky Pearsall is expected to finish second with 830 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Tight end George Kittle is projected to appear in only 11 games, recording 55 receptions for 596 yards and four touchdowns. The projection may be affected by Kittle working his way back from an Achilles injury.

Rounding out the top five projected pass catchers are veteran receiver Christian Kirk with 341 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling with 326 receiving yards and two scores.

Defensively, linebacker Fred Warner is projected to lead the 49ers with 149 total tackles, while defensive end Nick Bosa is expected to lead the team with nearly 11 sacks as he returns from an ACL injury.]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Full 2026 San Francisco 49ers Schedule Revealed https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200774-san-francisco-49ers-schedule-revealed/ Thu, 14 May 2026 16:46:00 PDT 2026-05-14T19:36:19-07:00 David Bonilla 4e2112cd2f36ad326f330036826e9522
The 49ers will open the 2026 season as the visiting team in an international showdown against the Los Angeles Rams. The NFC West rivals are set to meet at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on Thursday, September 10. San Francisco's home opener is scheduled for Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, and the team is slated to play in five prime-time games during the 2026 campaign.

The Niners' bye week is set for Week 8.

San Francisco's 2026 opponents combined for a 143-145-1 record last season, producing a .497 winning percentage, which ranks as the NFL's 18th-toughest strength of schedule entering the season.

Below is the complete 2026 49ers schedule, which is also available on our official schedule page.

Preseason



Date Ranges Opponent Local Time Pacific Time Network
Thur, Aug 13 Titans TBD KPIX 5
Thur, Aug 20 at Chargers 7:00 p.m. KPIX 5
Thur, Aug 27 at Raiders TBD KPIX 5

Regular Season


Date Opponent Local Time Pacific Time Network
Thur, Sep 10 at Rams (Melbourne) 10:35 a.m. (Fri) 5:35 p.m. Netflix
Sun, Sep 20 Dolphins 1:25 p.m. FOX
Sun, Sep 27 Cardinals 1:05 p.m. FOX
Sun, Oct 4 Broncos 1:25 p.m. CBS
Sun, Oct 11 at Seahawks 1:25 p.m. FOX
Mon, Oct 19 Commanders 5:15 p.m. ESPN/ABC
Sun, Oct 25 at Falcons 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. FOX
Sun, Nov 1 BYE
Sun, Nov 8 Raiders 1:05 p.m. CBS
Sun, Nov 15 at Dallas 3:25 p.m. 1:25 p.m. FOX
Sun, Nov 22 Vikings (Mexico City) 7:20 p.m. 5:20 p.m. NBC
Sun, Nov 29 Seahawks 1:25 p.m. FOX
Sun, Dec 6 at Giants 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. FOX
Sun, Dec 13 Rams 1:25 p.m. FOX
Thur, Dec 17 at Chargers 5:15 p.m. Prime
Sun, Dec 27 at Chiefs 3:25 p.m. 1:25 p.m. CBS
Sun, Jan 3 Eagles 5:20 p.m. NBC
TBA at Cardinals TBD TBD



This season, "flexible scheduling" for Sunday Night Football may be used up to twice between Weeks 5-10, and in the NFL's discretion during Weeks 11-17; for Monday Night Football at the NFL's discretion in Weeks 12-17; and for Thursday Night Football, it may be used up to twice between Weeks 13-17. During these Flex Scheduling Windows, the games initially scheduled for Sunday Night Football (on NBC), Monday Night Football (on ESPN or ABC), and Thursday Night Football (on Amazon Prime Video) are tentatively scheduled and subject to change. Only Sunday afternoon games (or those listed as TBD) are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, Monday night, or Thursday Night, in which case the initially scheduled Thursday/Sunday/Monday night game would be moved to Sunday afternoon. Sunday afternoon games may also be moved between 10 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. or 1:25 p.m. PT.

As in prior seasons, for Week 18, the final weekend of the season, the scheduling of the Saturday, Sunday afternoon, and the Sunday night games is not assigned. In Week 18, three games will be played on Saturday (10 a.m. PT, 1:30 p.m. PT, and 5 p.m. PT) with the remainder to be played on Sunday afternoon (10 a.m. PT and 1:25 p.m. PT) and one matchup to be played on Sunday night (5:20 p.m. PT).

Specific dates, start times, and networks for Week 18 matchups will be determined and announced following the conclusion of Week 17.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following notes.

Schedule Notes


A Closer Look at the 2026 Schedule…

  • San Francisco will become the first team in NFL history to play in two international games (Melbourne & Mexico City) in non-consecutive weeks.
  • The 49ers will become the second team in NFL history to play in two international games in two separate countries in the same season, joining the Minnesota Vikings (2025).
  • The Niners will become the third team in NFL history to play in two international games in the same season, joining the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars.
  • San Francisco will open the regular season on the road (at Los Angeles Rams) for the fifth time in six seasons and doing so in three consecutive seasons from 2021-23 Week 1 at Det. (9/12/21), Week 1 at Chi. (9/11/22) & Week 1 at Pit. (9/10/23) .
  • The 49ers open the season on the road against an NFC West opponent in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2009 and 2010 seasons Week 1 at Arz. (9/13/09) & Week 1 at Sea. (9/12/10) .
  • The Niners will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the regular season for the first time since the 2016 season W, 28-0 vs. LAR (9/12/16) .
  • San Francisco is scheduled to play in at least five prime-time games for the fifth consecutive season.
  • The 49ers close the regular season on the road (Week 18 at Arizona) for the third time in six seasons and for the first time since the 2024 season Week 18 at Arz. (1/5/25) .
  • San Francisco will face five teams in 2026 that reached the postseason in 2025 (Denver, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia, and Seattle).

Week 1 – Thursday, September 10 at Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne) – 5:35 p.m. PT on Netflix

  • The 49ers own the all-time series against the Los Angeles Rams 79-72-3, with a 41-35-1 record on the road.
  • The Niners have won 10 of the last 13 regular-season games on the road against the Rams.
  • The 49ers are 3-1 in international play, with their most recent trip abroad in 2022 resulting in a 38-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Mexico City's Estadio Banorte.

Week 2 – Sunday, September 20 vs. Miami – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX

  • San Francisco is 7-9 all-time against the Miami Dolphins and 4-4 at home.
  • The 49ers have split the previous two regular-season meetings.
  • The Niners look to win their second consecutive matchup at home against the Dolphins W, 33-17 vs. Mia. (12/4/22) .
  • San Francisco looks to earn a victory in its fifth consecutive home opener and improve to 7-3 in home openers under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Week 3 – Sunday, September 27 vs. Arizona – 1:05 p.m. PT on FOX

  • San Francisco leads the all-time series against the Arizona Cardinals 38-31, including a 21-15 record at home.
  • The 49ers have won three of the last four matchups against the Cardinals at home.
  • The Niners will face the Cardinals in Week 3 of the regular season for the fourth time since the 2014 season and in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2014 and 2015 seasons Week 3 at Arz. (9/21/14) & Week 3 at Arz. (9/27/15) .

Week 4 – Sunday, October 4 vs. Denver – 1:25 p.m. PT on CBS

  • The 49ers are 8-8 all-time against the Denver Broncos, including a 5-3 record at home.
  • San Francisco will host Denver for the first time since the 2018 season W, 20-14 vs. Den. (12/9/18) .
  • The 49ers have won three of the last five matchups against the Broncos and four of the last four matchups at home.
  • The Niners look to win their third consecutive home game against the Broncos W, 20-14 vs. Den. (12/9/18); W, 24-16 vs. Den. (10/31/10 – Wembley Stadium) .

Week 5 – Sunday, October 11 at Seattle – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX

  • San Francisco is 24-33 all-time against the Seahawks, with a 12-18 record on the road.
  • The 49ers have won six of the previous eight regular-season matchups against the Seahawks.
  • The Niners have won four consecutive regular-season matchups against the Seahawks at Lumen Field.

Week 6 – Monday, October 19 vs. Washington – 5:15 p.m. PT on ESPN & ABC

  • The 49ers lead the all-time series 23-12-1 against the Washington Commanders.
  • San Francisco will host the Commanders for the first time since the 2022 season W, 37-20 vs. Was. (12/24/22) .
  • The 49ers have won seven of the last 10 matchups against Washington, including four of the previous six matchups at home.
  • The Niners will face the Commanders on ESPN's Monday Night Football for the sixth time in series history and for the first time since the 2013 season W, 27-6 at Was. (11/25/13) .
  • The 49ers are 4-1 when facing the Commanders on MNF.
  • San Francisco's 55 wins on Monday Night Football are tied for the most wins on MNF in NFL history.

Week 7 – Sunday, October 25 at Atlanta – 10:00 a.m. PT on FOX

  • San Francisco leads the all-time series against the Atlanta Falcons 49-33-1, with a 19-21-1 record on the road.
  • The 49ers will face off against the Falcons in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2021 and 2022 seasons and will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second time overall and the first time since the 2022 season.
  • San Francisco looks for its first road victory against the Falcons since the 2012 NFC Championship Game W, 28-24 at Atl. . (1/20/13) and their first regular-season win in Atlanta since the 2001 season W, 37-31 at Atl. (10/14/01) .

Week 8 – Sunday, November 1 – BYE

  • This marks the first season that the 49ers have had their BYE week in Week 8 since 2016 and the fifth time the team has a Week 8 BYE since BYE Weeks were introduced in 1990.

Week 9 – Sunday, November 8 vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 1:05 p.m. PT on CBS

  • The 49ers lead the all-time series 8-7 against the Las Vegas Raiders and are 4-4 at home.
  • The Niners will host the Raiders at Levi's Stadium for the first time since the 2018 season W, 34-3 vs. LV (11/1/18) and the first time since the franchise moved to Las Vegas.
  • San Francisco looks to earn its fourth consecutive home victory against the Raiders.
  • The 49ers look to earn their fifth consecutive victory coming off the BYE Week and improve to 7-3 after the BYE under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Week 10 – Sunday, November 15 at Dallas – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX

  • The 49ers own the overall series record against the Dallas Cowboys 21-19-1, including a 9-9-1 record on the road.
  • The 49ers have won three of the last six regular-season matchups against the Cowboys and two of the last four meetings on the road.
  • The Niners look for their third consecutive regular-season victory against the Cowboys.
  • San Francisco will travel to Dallas for a regular-season matchup for the first time since the 2020 season and since the 49ers defeated the Cowboys 23-17 in the NFC Wild Card Round at Dal . (1/16/22) .

Week 11 – Sunday, November 22 vs. Minnesota (Mexico City) – 5:20 p.m. PT on NBC

  • The 49ers are 25-25-1 all-time against the Minnesota Vikings, including a 16-8-1 record at home.
  • San Francisco will host Minnesota for the first time since the 2021 season W, 34-26 vs. Min. (11/28/21) .
  • The Niners look for their third consecutive victory at home against the Vikings.
  • The 49ers will face the Vikings on NBC's Sunday Night Football for the first time in series history.
  • San Francisco has split each of the previous two prime-time matchups against Minnesota.
  • This matchup marks the third time in franchise history that the 49ers have played a regular-season game in Mexico City's Estadio Banorte, where they hold a record of 1-1.

Week 12 – Sunday, November 29 vs. Seattle – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX

  • San Francisco holds a 12-15 record at home against the Seahawks.

Week 13 – Sunday, December 6 at New York Giants – 10:00 a.m. on FOX

  • The 49ers own the overall series record against the New York Giants 23-21, with a 10-11 record on the road.
  • San Francisco will travel to play the Giants on the road in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2014 and 2015 seasons W, 34-24 at NYG (11/2/25) .
  • The 49ers have won four of the last five matchups against the Giants, including three straight, and look to earn their third consecutive victory against the team at MetLife Stadium.

Week 14 – Sunday, December 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams – 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX

  • The 49ers own a 38-37-2 record at home against the Rams.

Week 15 – Thursday, December 17 at Los Angeles Chargers – 5:15 p.m. PT on Prime Video

  • The 49ers are 8-8 all-time against the Los Angeles Chargers, including a 3-5 record on the road.
  • San Francisco will face the Chargers in the regular season for the first time since the 2022 season W, 22-16 vs. LAC (11/13/22) .
  • The 49ers look to win on the road against the Chargers for the first time since the 2000 season W, 45-17 at LAC (12/3/00) and the first time since the team relocated to Los Angeles in 2017.
  • The Niners will face the Chargers on Thursday Night Football for the second time in series history and the first time since the 2010 season.

Week 16 – Sunday, December 27 at Kansas City Chiefs – 1:25 p.m. PT on CBS

  • San Francisco is 7-10 all-time against the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • The Niners will play on the road against the Chiefs for the first time since the 2018 season.

Week 17 – Sunday, January 3 vs. Philadelphia – 5:20 p.m. PT on NBC

  • San Francisco leads the all-time series 22-15-1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, with a 9-9 record at home.
  • The 49ers will host the Eagles at Levi's Stadium for the first time since the 2020 season.
  • San Francisco looks to win at home against Philadelphia for the first time since 2014 W, 26-21 vs. Phi. (9/28/14) .

Week 18 – Saturday or Sunday, January 9 or 10 at Arizona

  • San Francisco owns a 17-16 record on the road against Arizona.
  • The 49ers have won five of the last seven road games against the Cardinals.
]]> Cary Edmondson/Kyle Terada/Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images 49ers 2026 schedule: Here's what it looks like based on leaks https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200769-heres-49ers-schedule-reportedly-looks/ Thu, 14 May 2026 14:28:00 PDT 2026-05-14T15:44:19-07:00 David Bonilla 2453381d80486fc23b5161686fac3cc4
The reported leaks come from several users on X—@OzzyNFL, @NerdingOnNFL, and @RCDiscussion—who have built a strong track record for uncovering schedule details before the NFL's official release. The trio collaborated to piece together the full slate.

Based on those leaks, along with games already confirmed by the NFL, the 49ers are expected to open the season with four home games in their first six weeks, then close the year with four road contests over the final six weeks.

The reported schedule also features five prime-time matchups, highlighted by two international contests: the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, and a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City.

Of course, none of the leaked information is official until the NFL formally announces the schedule tonight, so there is no guarantee of its accuracy.

Reported 49ers 2026 schedule


  • Week 1: at Rams (Sep. 10, 5:35 p.m. PT, Melbourne, Australia)
  • Week 2: vs. Dolphins (Sep. 20, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 3: vs. Cardinals (Sep. 27, 1:05 p.m. PT)
  • Week 4: vs. Broncos (Oct. 4, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 5: at Seahawks (Oct. 11, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 6: vs. Commanders (Oct. 19, 5:15 p.m. PT, Monday Night Football)
  • Week 7: at Falcons (Oct. 25, 10:00 a.m. PT)
  • Week 8: Bye
  • Week 9: vs. Raiders (Nov. 8, 1:05 p.m. PT)
  • Week 10: at Cowboys (Nov. 15, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 11: vs. Vikings (Nov. 22, 5:20 p.m. PT, Sunday Night Football, Mexico City)
  • Week 12: vs. Seahawks (Nov. 29, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 13: at Giants (Dec. 6, 10:00 a.m. PT)
  • Week 14: vs. Rams (Dec. 13, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 15: at Chargers (Dec. 17, 5:15 p.m. PT, Thursday Night Football)
  • Week 16: at Chiefs (Dec. 27, 1:25 p.m. PT)
  • Week 17: vs. Eagles (Jan. 3, 5:20 p.m. PT, Sunday Night Football)
  • Week 18: at Cardinals (Jan. 9 or 10)
]]> Kyle Terada-Imagn Images 2026 Schedule Tracker: Known 49ers Games Ahead of the Official Release https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200766-schedule-tracker-known-official-release/ Thu, 14 May 2026 07:34:00 PDT 2026-05-14T13:54:41-07:00 David Bonilla 7526cdb09ea1364cdd3874251d38684a
As usual, the 49ers will face each NFC West rival twice. They'll also play the third-place teams from the NFC North (Minnesota Vikings), NFC South (Atlanta Falcons), and AFC East (Miami Dolphins). In addition, San Francisco's schedule includes matchups against every team from the NFC East and AFC West.

The 2026 NFL season will kick off on Wednesday, September 9, with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the opener at Lumen Field. The season will conclude with Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California—the home of the Los Angeles Rams.

The 49ers are also set to play two international games in the 2026 season. San Francisco will open the year as the road team against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, marking the NFL's first regular-season game in the country. The team will also host a game against the Vikings in Mexico City later in the season.

Below is a list of confirmed or reported 49ers games, including known dates, times (if available), and sources. Once the NFL officially releases the full schedule, a complete game-by-game breakdown will follow in a separate article.

Known Matchup Dates/Times (All Times Pacific)


  • Week 1: at Rams (Sep. 10, 5:35 p.m., Melbourne, Australia, per NFL)
  • Week 2: Dolphins (Sep. 20, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 3: Cardinals (Sep. 27, 1:05 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 4: Broncos (Oct. 4, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 5: at Seahawks (Oct. 11, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed)
  • Week 6: Commanders (Oct. 19, 5:15 p.m., MNF, unconfirmed, @OzzyNFL)
  • Week 7: at Falcons (Oct. 25, 10 a.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 8: Bye
  • Week 9: Raiders (Nov. 8, 1:05 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 10: at Cowboys (Nov. 15, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed, @OzzyNFL)
  • Week 11: Vikings (Nov. 22, 5:20 p.m., SNF, Mexico City, per NFL)
  • Week 12: Seahawks (Nov. 29, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 13: at Giants (Dec. 6, 10 a.m., unconfirmed, @OzzyNFL)
  • Week 14: Rams (Dec. 13, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 15: at Chargers (Dec. 17, 5:15 p.m., TNF, unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 16: at Chiefs (Dec. 27, 1:25 p.m., unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 17: Eagles (Jan. 3, 5:20 p.m., SNF, unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)
  • Week 18: at Cardinals (Jan. 9 or 10, unconfirmed, @RCDiscussion)

Note: Any "unconfirmed" listings should be treated as rumors until verified by an official media source.

Home and Away Opponents


Below are the 49ers' complete home and away opponents for the 2026 NFL season. Those reported above are denoted with a strikethrough.

Home (9)

  • Las Vegas Raiders
  • Denver Broncos
  • Washington Commanders
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Seattle Seahawks

Away (8)

  • Dallas Cowboys
  • New York Giants
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Seattle Seahawks
]]> Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Former 49ers safety calls Ji'Ayir Brown 'delusional' over self-evaluation https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200764-former-safety-jiayir-delusional-self-evaluation/ Wed, 13 May 2026 15:56:35 PDT 2026-05-13T15:56:35-07:00 David Bonilla 48336bfe2cf759ab8ad453577eca2bd5
Brown apparently wasn't pleased with the criticism.

According to Whitner, Brown reached out directly to voice his frustration over the analysis. However, the former NFL safety made it clear that he has no intention of softening his evaluations.

"Ji'Ayir f--king Brown calling me on the phone, trying to check me, telling me I can't talk bad about him when he has a bad play," Whitner said on his podcast, The Grit Code. "He called me and Richard Sherman on the phone, that he used to respect us and that we're not keeping it G because we told the truth about his deficiencies.

"Ain't that some bulls--t? You f--king know that you played like s--t last year."

Whitner went on to ask Brown for an honest assessment of his own play. The response only reinforced Whitner's opinion.

"I said, 'Ji'Ayir, honestly, do you feel like you played like a top safety last year?'" Whitner commented. "He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'So, you felt like you should have made the Pro Bowl last year?' He was like, 'Yeah.' In that moment, I knew that the kid was just f--king delusional."

Whitner added that he is always willing to hear valid counterarguments from players but won't change his evaluations simply because a player disagrees.

"Now, if you've got a valid point, I'm willing to listen to it," Whitner said. "But if you play like s--t, and I analyze it, I'm gonna continue to analyze it that way."

Whitner also cited his résumé to justify his analysis, noting his three Pro Bowl selections as evidence of his expertise. Whitner later detailed several areas where he believes Brown must improve to become a more complete NFL safety.

You can listen to that analysis below.


When pressed on why he disclosed the conversation with Brown on his platform, Whitner shared the following via social media: "We're not friends. Don't call my phone in a 'checkful' manner like you trying to press me… then expect privacy."

Brown is entering his fourth NFL season and has appeared in 34 games with 26 starts over the past two years.

Since being selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Brown has recorded 188 tackles, five tackles for loss, five interceptions, 16 passes defensed, and one forced fumble.

Pro Football Focus assigned Brown a career-low 63.6 defensive grade during the 2025 season, including a career-low 58.5 coverage grade. Opposing quarterbacks completed 25 of 40 passes for 251 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions when targeting Brown last season.]]> Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk draws concern from ex-NFL star https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200762-49ers-brandon-aiyuk-concern-ex-nfl/ Wed, 13 May 2026 13:03:14 PDT 2026-05-13T13:03:14-07:00 David Bonilla 9451f4fb5e5013f458571f9e5a570256

Bakhtiari, who shared his concerns on X, said he was troubled by what he sees as a potentially concerning situation for the 49ers wideout.

"I feel for Brandon Aiyuk," Bakhtiari wrote. "Injuries, fame, and money can pollute the mind. If he is really spinning out and posting for all of social media to see, I hope his peers and inner circle are influencing him to get the help he needs rather than enabling for their own gain."

He added: "It seems evident that the direction he is going will not end well for anyone involved."


Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers ahead of the 2024 season but appeared in just seven games before suffering ACL and MCL injuries.

During his rehab process, tensions reportedly grew between Aiyuk and the organization, eventually leading to a breakdown in communication. Eventually, the receiver cut off contact with the team altogether.

The 49ers announced in January that Aiyuk's future in San Francisco had likely come to an end, and the team has since explored trade options. However, moving the wide receiver has proven difficult, as interested teams are aware that the 49ers will eventually be forced to release him.

Complicating matters further, teams have reportedly struggled to communicate directly with Aiyuk to assess his interest in joining a new organization or discuss potential contract adjustments, as no team would be willing to acquire the receiver at his current salary.

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager John Lynch addressed the situation bluntly, telling the league, "We're available. Give us a call."

So far, there has been little reported interest in taking the 49ers up on that offer.]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 49ers 'fatal flaw' that could derail Super Bowl aspirations in 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200760-49ers-fatal-derail-super-aspirations/ Wed, 13 May 2026 11:50:19 PDT 2026-05-13T11:50:19-07:00 David Bonilla 882cc54318927e971a6ac23f13986d3c one of the NFL's most complete teams entering the 2026 season, making them a strong contender to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LXI.

Still, even the league's top teams have weaknesses, and that is true for the 49ers.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently highlighted one "fatal flaw" for every perceived Super Bowl contender, and for the 49ers, he pointed to a lingering concern along the offensive line.

Kay noted that head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system relies heavily on dominating in the trenches, particularly when it comes to creating running lanes for star running back Christian McCaffrey. Additionally, the unit is tasked with protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy as he enters his fifth NFL season.

Most of San Francisco's offensive line spots appear settled, with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams continuing to anchor the unit. However, left guard remains a significant offseason question mark.

A competition is brewing between second-year lineman Connor Colby, veterans Robert Jones and Brett Toth, and rookie Carver Willis for the starting role.

"Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick in 2025, has perhaps the best chance of opening the year as the starter," Kay wrote. "While Colby is a homegrown talent with seven starts and 451 offensive snaps under his belt, he only earned a 50.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. His 33.7 pass-blocking score rating was the third-worst at the position amongst the 81 guards who qualified last year.

"Rookie lineman Carver Willis could get an extended look at left guard in training camp. The fourth-rounder played tackle at Kansas State and Washington, but will need to move inside at the NFL level due to his physical limitations."

Bleacher Report's scouting department expressed concerns about Willis' limited range and below-average anchoring ability, which contributed to his pre-draft big board ranking of No. 149 overall and No. 17 among interior offensive linemen.

Meanwhile, Kay noted that Jones and Toth were signed to affordable one-year deals and are not viewed as long-term solutions or elite options at the position.

"Unless someone truly steps up and distinguishes themselves during camp, the 49ers are going to have a myriad of left guard issues throughout the upcoming season," Kay added. "It's a position that could become their Achilles heel as they try to finally break through and win a Super Bowl after multiple near-misses under Shanahan."]]> Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images 49ers star George Kittle shares hilarious story about early-morning heroics https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200759-george-kittle-hilarious-early-morning-heroics/ Wed, 13 May 2026 11:22:47 PDT 2026-05-13T11:22:47-07:00 David Bonilla f77b493cb460935a3015175431a2255c
According to Kittle, the ordeal began around 4 a.m. when Claire woke him up after discovering a spider "the size of a half dollar" in the bathroom.

"Without hesitation, I arose to combat the intruder," Kittle wrote. "Claire handed me the slant board I've been using for rehab, and I immediately knew the spider had no chance. It took but 1 attempt to strike down my opponent. I received hugs and kisses for my bravery and fell back asleep with confidence."


Kittle is currently rehabbing from the torn Achilles injury he suffered during the 49ers' playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in January. Fortunately for San Francisco, the injury was not as severe as initially feared, leading many to believe the star tight end could be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season—or shortly thereafter.

If Kittle's recovery is moving as efficiently as his spider-elimination skills, the 49ers may not have to worry about their All-Pro tight end being sidelined for very long.]]> Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images 49ers will lead the NFL in unwanted category during 2026 season https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200756-49ers-nfl-unwanted-category-season/ Wed, 13 May 2026 09:44:49 PDT 2026-05-13T09:44:49-07:00 David Bonilla 6d97a14098f20970d212d3d6d18ff924
According to Bookies.com, via ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers are projected to travel 38,105 miles during the 2026 season. That total easily tops the Los Angeles Rams, who rank second at 34,847 miles traveled.


The 49ers and Rams leading the league in travel mileage is no surprise. Both teams will open their 17-game schedules with a Week 1 international matchup in Melbourne, Australia, marking the NFL's first regular-season game played in Australia.

When asked about opening the season overseas, head coach Kyle Shanahan jokingly expressed less-than-enthusiastic feelings about the trip.

"I was so fired up," Shanahan said sarcastically. "That was our goal, to go 19 hours away to play a game."

The coach doesn't see any benefit to having to travel to Australia for a game.

"I don't see any pro," Shanahan added. "I mean, it's cool for the league to play globally. I think it's awesome, but as far as the team doing it, there's not much benefit to it."

Australia won't be the 49ers' only international stop in 2026. San Francisco is also scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City during Week 11, further increasing the team's travel demands.

In addition, the 49ers will make cross-country trips for East Coast road games against the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, adding even more miles to an already demanding schedule.


We'll learn the dates for each of San Francisco's games on Thursday, when the NFL officially unveils its complete 272-game schedule for the 2026 regular season.

Rounding out the top five most-traveled NFL teams in 2026 are the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Insider makes the case for A.J. Brown-to-49ers trade scenario https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200754-insider-makes-brown-to-49ers-trade-scenario/ Wed, 13 May 2026 09:17:00 PDT 2026-05-13T10:08:31-07:00 David Bonilla da34b80cdaa11279c998cbcf4e063478
Still, one NFL insider believes the 49ers could remain active in the wide receiver market—especially if injuries become a concern entering training camp. San Francisco battled through an injury-plagued 2025 campaign yet still managed to win 12 regular-season games and secure a playoff berth.

If a need emerges at wide receiver, Jason La Canfora believes the 49ers could become a realistic landing spot for Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown.

"The 49ers, who at some point will part with awol receiver Brandon Aiyuk, have a very high payroll as it stands, and their cap space has been an issue, but even with Mike Evans there, one could make a case for Brown, especially with some of the recent injury with some of their top pass catchers," La Canfora wrote for SportsBoom.

It's worth noting that the 49ers currently have the most salary cap space in the NFL. However, much of that is likely earmarked for the future.

The Eagles are reportedly expected to move Brown before training camp, with the financial impact becoming more manageable after June 1.

La Canfora also identified the New England Patriots—who have been heavily linked to the receiver—and Kansas City Chiefs as potential trade destinations for Brown, while one personnel executive suggested the Jacksonville Jaguars as another possible fit. According to La Canfora, league executives believe Philadelphia could receive a 2027 draft pick and a player in exchange for the standout receiver.

"I still think it's done before camp," one general manager told La Canfora.

While the idea of pairing Brown with Evans in Kyle Shanahan's offense is intriguing, a trade to San Francisco still feels unlikely. The 49ers appear committed to their current receiving group after this offseason's overhaul. Of course, the NFL is often unpredictable.]]> Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images 49ers vs. Vikings: NFL officially announces 2026 Mexico City matchup https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200749-vikings-nfl-officially-announces-matchup/ Wed, 13 May 2026 06:03:00 PDT 2026-05-13T10:10:34-07:00 David Bonilla deb75a70e272d0341d6b1435d5fb3b10 officially announced that the San Francisco 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 11 matchup at the iconic Estadio Banorte in Mexico City on Sunday, November 22, 2026. The game will serve as NBC's Sunday Night Football matchup, with kickoff scheduled for 5:20 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.

News of the 49ers-Vikings matchup was first reported on Tuesday. One of the game's storylines will undoubtedly be new Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings facing his former team for the first time.

The Mexico City showdown will mark the 49ers' second international game of the 2026 season. San Francisco is set to open its regular season against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on Thursday, September 10, marking the NFL's first regular-season game in the country.

The NFL will stage a record nine international games in 2026, spanning four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. The 49ers are among the 10 NFL teams granted marketing rights in Mexico through the league's Global Markets Program, which allows franchises to expand their brand and fan base internationally.

The matchup against the Vikings will be the sixth regular-season international game in 49ers history. San Francisco previously played in Mexico City against the Arizona Cardinals in 2005 and 2022. The team also faced the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium in London in 2010 and the Jacksonville Jaguars at the same venue in 2013.

The 49ers' only international loss came in the 2005 contest against the Cardinals, which marked the NFL's first regular-season game played outside the United States.

The NFL is scheduled to unveil its complete 272-game schedule for the 2026 regular season on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PT.]]> Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images 49ers will reportedly face Vikings in Mexico City in 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200747-49ers-reportedly-face-vikings-mexico/ Tue, 12 May 2026 18:32:01 PDT 2026-05-12T18:32:01-07:00 David Bonilla a82ca0e99d0493624016ba7e9adc6a77
The second international matchup will take place in Mexico City during Week 11. Until today, the opponent had not been confirmed.

One report states that the 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings at the iconic Estadio Banorte on Sunday Night Football on November 22, 2026.


The game will be part of a record-setting nine international contests scheduled for 2026, spanning four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. The NFL has also committed to staging regular-season games in Mexico City through 2028.

The 49ers are one of 10 teams with marketing rights in Mexico under the NFL's Global Markets Program, which allows clubs to expand their brand and fan base internationally.

San Francisco has played four regular-season international games to date. The 49ers faced the Arizona Cardinals in Mexico City in 2005 and 2022, and also played at London's Wembley Stadium in 2010 and 2013. The team's only international loss came in the 2005 matchup in Mexico City—the first regular-season NFL game played outside the United States.]]> Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images 49ers left guard battle: Can Carver Willis win the starting job? https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200745-49ers-battle-carver-willis-starting/ Tue, 12 May 2026 16:39:33 PDT 2026-05-12T16:39:33-07:00 David Bonilla dec235a0167e77a62dfb30cc55848d69
Willis enters the NFL with the right attitude, willing to do whatever his new team asks of him—no matter where that requires him to line up. He understood early in the pre-draft process—and really, throughout college—that a move inside was likely after no NFL teams approached him about playing tackle at the next level.

"I call it winning the genetic lottery. I didn't," Willis said last week. "Some guys—I kind of talked about it with my agency—one of my coaches at my agency said, 'Some guys are born with a V12.' And I always kind of make the joke that I'm trying to add a turbocharger to an inline-six. It's really durable, a dependable and reliable engine, but it doesn't have all the flash and power."

Willis acknowledged that technique and skill can compensate for some physical limitations. Still, he believes NFL franchise left tackles typically possess elite traits that place them among the top one percent of athletes in their position group. That reality likely eliminates any chance of him eventually succeeding Trent Williams at left tackle.

However, Willis could have an opportunity to line up next to Williams in 2026 if he can beat out second-year offensive lineman Connor Colby and veteran Robert Jones for the starting left guard role. Newcomer Brett Toth could also factor into the competition, although 49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area recently labeled him as a long shot to win the job.

Another respected 49ers beat writer, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, believes Willis has a legitimate opportunity to emerge as the team's Week 1 starter at left guard.

"It would be at least a mild disappointment if Willis isn't the season-opening starter at left guard," Branch wrote in a recent mailbag article. "If the 49ers felt strongly about his top competitors, Connor Colby and Robert Jones, they wouldn't have selected Willis."

The 49ers will begin organized team activities on May 27, but the true competition for starting jobs will intensify once training camp opens in late July.]]> Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images 49ers wide receiver battle could be intriguing training camp storyline https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200744-receiver-battle-intriguing-training-storyline/ Tue, 12 May 2026 16:12:55 PDT 2026-05-12T16:12:55-07:00 David Bonilla a32c7c6603a2c70a0d998f6a541cbe00
After that, the battle for the remaining roster spots could become one of the more intriguing competitions of training camp.

Demarcus Robinson is the most experienced player among the remaining candidates. However, his production during his first season with the 49ers was underwhelming. Robinson finished with just 22 receptions for 276 receiving yards—his fewest since 2021—and one touchdown. It was not the level of production San Francisco envisioned when it signed him to a two-year deal.

Still, Robinson showed flashes late in the season. In the 49ers' playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the veteran wideout hauled in six receptions on seven targets for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Also competing for roster spots are younger receivers Jacob Cowing, a fourth-round pick in 2024, and Jordan Watkins, a fourth-round selection in 2025. Both players have dealt with injuries since joining the NFL, making it difficult to fully evaluate their potential.

In a recent mailbag article for the San Francisco Chronicle, Eric Branch examined the outlook for both players while revisiting their injury histories. Branch noted that Cowing was never sidelined during his 58-game collegiate career, while Watkins was available in 57 of 60 games.

Branch expects the 49ers to keep six wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster, leaving Cowing, Watkins, and Robinson competing for the final two spots.

"Watkins is a 2025 pick," Branch wrote. "That means he'd need to channel A.J. Jenkins in training camp for the 49ers to give up on him after one season. Cowing, a 2024 pick, is on shakier ground. Unlike Robinson, however, he provides special-teams value. He was a serviceable punt returner as a rookie, and he's among the top candidates to take over this season after Skyy Moore signed with the Packers."

That special-teams value could give Cowing an advantage in the competition, especially if he can continue developing as an offensive contributor. Before injuries slowed his momentum last offseason, the young receiver appeared much-improved heading into his second NFL season.

"I thought Jake had one of the best OTAs out of anybody on our team in terms of most-improved, the most prepared for it," head coach Kyle Shanahan said in July 2025 after Cowing suffered a torn hamstring.

This offseason will be critical for both Cowing and Watkins as they seek roster spots. Both have combined for six receptions and 106 receiving yards over their careers.

Meanwhile, Robinson will look to prove he can be a reliable target for quarterback Brock Purdy within Kyle Shanahan's offense.

"Watkins and Cowing are like many of the 49ers' recent draft picks," Branch added. "The jury is still out, but the arrow isn't up."]]> Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images 49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown reflects on 'Welcome to the NFL' moment, Dre Greenlaw, Raheem Morris https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200741-jiayir-reflects-welcome-nfl-greenlaw/ Tue, 12 May 2026 14:35:03 PDT 2026-05-12T14:35:03-07:00 David Bonilla 73bd26477849125d197971883e65fff4
Brown's role grew as the season progressed. By the time the 49ers reached the playoffs, he had stepped into a starting role on defense following an injury to Talanoa Hufanga.

This week, Brown appeared on Ari Meirov's podcast and discussed several topics as the 49ers prepare for the 2026 NFL season.

George Kittle delivered Brown's 'Welcome to the NFL' moment


Surrounded by defensive stars such as Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and former 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, Brown's most memorable introduction to NFL life actually came from an offensive standout.

"My NFL moment had to be from George Kittle," Brown said. "He don't get the credit he deserves either. This guy is the best tight end to ever play the game, honestly. From a blocking perspective, from a route perspective, catching, how fast he is, how smart he is, George is dope. George is super dope, he's super talented."

Brown said his first real test came during one-on-one reps against Kittle in training camp.

"He gave me my NFL moment because I had to go one-on-ones with him my rookie year, and he was cooking me in the beginning," Brown said. "I was like, 'Man, this is crazy.' And I'm like, 'Alright, I got to tighten up.' And he showed me a different level of the NFL on what it takes to be successful."

Brown added that regularly practicing against Kittle has made game-day matchups against other tight ends easier by comparison.

"None of those guys are like George," Brown said. "George's the best, and I'm not being biased, honestly. But man, the guy is a lot faster than you think, a lot stronger, and he's one of the toughest to play the game."

Dre Greenlaw's impact on the 49ers


Brown also reflected on the 49ers' Super Bowl loss and believes one major turning point was linebacker Dre Greenlaw's injury.

Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles tendon against the Kansas City Chiefs, forcing him out of the game early.

He eventually returned the following season but was limited to just two games. After the 2024 campaign, Greenlaw signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency but was released after the 2025 season. The 49ers moved quickly to bring him back.

To Brown, Greenlaw remains the emotional heartbeat of the unit.

"He is the spark plug," Brown said. "He was back then in '23, and he is now. He's the spark plug. He's the engine. He keeps everybody else going. Fred's the leader, but Dre is the spark plug. He turns the cars on around him. His power, his relentlessness, his attitude, it's so energetic. He feeds the whole 11, whole 10 behind them with that kind of passion, that kind of energy."

Brown does not doubt that the 49ers would have beaten the Chiefs in the Super Bowl if Greenlaw had not been injured. The safety noted that the loss of the star linebacker was felt on the sideline by the players and coaching staff.

"Because if you look back, in the first quarter, Dre had like the first six tackles," Brown said. "He was unstoppable. He was having the game of his life. And while that happens to him, which is so unfortunate, and now, we've got to play without our engine, we've got to play without our spark plug, which we are prepared to do, but it's just not the same as having him on the field.

"And honestly, it drained us. I think if Dre Greenlaw finishes that game, they never pass the 50-yard line, honestly."

Ji'Ayir Brown on Raheem Morris


Ji'Ayir Brown admits he wishes the 49ers had been able to maintain more consistency at the defensive coordinator position during his NFL career. With Robert Saleh departing to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Brown acknowledged that adjusting to new leadership has been challenging.

"I'm more of a guy, I'd rather have consistency," Browns said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't do that, which is also cool as well. We're going to do whatever's necessary at the end of the day."

Steve Wilks was the 49ers' defensive coordinator during Brown's first NFL season. That was followed by Nick Sorensen in 2024 and Saleh in 2025.

"It was tough kind of adjusting to the different guys, the different personalities, the different leaderships, the way they run meetings, the way they run their defenses," Brown continued. "But we're professionals. At the end of the day, we're able to adjust, we're able to adapt, and are still expected to go out there and execute at the highest level."

Still, Brown believes the 49ers found a strong replacement for Saleh in new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, a two-time Super Bowl champion.

"I like Raheem," Brown said with a big smile. "I like Raheem Morris. He is dope, man. He's brought a lot of different things to the Niners, and like you said, his history with having great defensive backs, I feel like people are going to wake up and see exactly what the San Francisco 49er defensive backfield is capable of with Raheem."

Brown added, "It's going to be a special year. It's going to be special, and Raheem is a big help to that."

]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 49ers insider doesn't expect interest in Pro Bowl cornerback https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200740-insider-doesnt-expect-interest-cornerback/ Tue, 12 May 2026 10:36:18 PDT 2026-05-12T10:36:18-07:00 David Bonilla eb9d95569432e00627df28138be9e7de
However, one prominent 49ers insider does not expect San Francisco to be among Moore's suitors.

Within the comments section of a recent YouTube video posted by NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, a fan asked whether the 49ers might pursue Moore. Maiocco was skeptical about the fit.

"I suppose it could happen, but I don't see the fit," Maiocco responded. "He's a nickel back. The 49ers have Upton Stout. And if he shifts to safety, he'd be learning a new full-time spot entering his 10th NFL season."

Maiocco noted that the 49ers are likely better served sticking with their current defensive back group rather than adding the soon-to-be 31-year-old Moore.

Still, he acknowledged a scenario in which a move could make sense under specific conditions.

"If I were the 49ers, I'd roll with Stout, Mustapha, Sigle and Brown," Maiocco added. "But if he wants to sign with no guarantees and fight for a roster spot, that would work."

Moore brings extensive experience, having started 111 games in his NFL career, including seven in 2025. Last season, he appeared in 14 games and recorded 55 tackles (three for loss), one interception returned for a touchdown, six passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Additionally, he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021.]]> Grace Hollars/IndyStar-Imagn Images 49ers waiting game with Brandon Aiyuk leaves NFL teams on hold https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200739-49ers-waiting-brandon-leaves-nfl/ Tue, 12 May 2026 10:18:00 PDT 2026-05-12T10:19:04-07:00 David Bonilla c8f74e9f93e69d649c95db6680d3ab7c ESPN's Dan Graziano offered insight into the situation on Tuesday, pointing to what many around the NFL already believe—that Aiyuk will likely be released before the 2026 season.

"We're available. Give us a call," general manager John Lynch said of Aiyuk's availability during a press conference following the 2026 NFL Draft.

According to Graziano, the financial structure of Aiyuk's contract is a major factor complicating a potential trade. Additionally, ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported that, like the 49ers, NFL teams haven't been able to speak with Aiyuk about his interest in a trade and his contract situation.

Although the 49ers voided the remaining guarantees in Aiyuk's deal last year, significant money is still attached to the contract. If the receiver remains on the roster in 2026, he is scheduled to earn $27 million. Any team trading for Aiyuk before his release would inherit that salary obligation.

As a result, interested teams appear content to wait until San Francisco releases the receiver, allowing them to sign him at a significantly lower cost.

"Knowing the relationship is broken and that the Niners will almost certainly cut Aiyuk before having to pay his Week 1 salary, teams have decided they can afford to wait," Graziano wrote. "The Niners don't need to cut him until it's time for him to get paid, so they can wait, too, and see whether a team ultimately decides to send them a draft pick for Aiyuk."

The relationship between Aiyuk and the 49ers deteriorated quickly after the wide receiver signed a four-year, $120 million extension, a deal that reportedly led to buyer's remorse within the organization. Then, Aiyuk suffered ACL and MCL injuries during the 2024 season.

While there was hope he could contribute at some point in 2025, Aiyuk never returned to the field for San Francisco. Reports later surfaced that the receiver cut off communication with the organization, even as the team remained hopeful about his recovery and eventual return—a development that seemingly sealed his future with the franchise.

"I do believe he will be on a different team in 2026, and most people have been assuming that team would be the Commanders," Graziano wrote. "But given the way things have gone between Aiyuk and the 49ers over the past couple of years, San Francisco doesn't appear to be in a hurry to do him the favor of making him a free agent."]]> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 49ers 2026 opponents recap as fans await NFL schedule release https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/200737-49ers-opponents-nfl-schedule-release/ Tue, 12 May 2026 09:55:33 PDT 2026-05-12T09:55:33-07:00 David Bonilla 3471c93c941b8b5f6639f029140bcea5
As usual, the 49ers will face each NFC West rival twice. Based on the NFL's rotating schedule formula, San Francisco will also take on the third-place teams from the NFC North (Minnesota Vikings), NFC South (Atlanta Falcons), and AFC East (Miami Dolphins).

In addition, the 49ers are scheduled to play every team from the NFC East and the AFC West during the 2026 season.

One matchup has already been announced. The 49ers will serve as the visiting team in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia, facing the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne during Week 1. The game is set for Thursday, September 10, at 5:35 p.m. PT (10:35 a.m. local time) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

San Francisco will also participate in a second international game, hosting a matchup at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. The opponent is expected to be officially announced on Wednesday morning.

Below is the complete list of the 49ers' home and away opponents for the 2026 NFL season.

49ers 2026 home opponents (9 games)


  • Las Vegas Raiders
  • Denver Broncos
  • Washington Commanders
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Seattle Seahawks

49ers 2026 away opponents (8 games)


  • Dallas Cowboys
  • New York Giants
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • Seattle Seahawks
]]> Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images