In the Spotlight: San Francisco 49ers Look to Return to NFC’s Elite

The San Francisco 49ers enter 2026 attempting to build on a 12-win season while closing the gap on the NFC West’s top contenders. San Francisco finished 12-5 in 2025 and earned a road playoff victory before its season ended against Seattle in the divisional round. The result marked a major turnaround from a 6-11 finish in 2024.   Brock Purdy returns as the starting quarterback and remains the centerpiece of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers also bring back Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and several defensive stars, although injuries remain an important storyline entering Week 1.  

What to Watch

San Francisco made upgrading its receiving corps a priority. The 49ers signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, reunited with Deebo Samuel, and used their first selection in the 2026 draft on receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. Evans gives Purdy a proven outside target and adds another dimension to an offense that finished eighth in yards per pass play last season.   Health could determine the team’s ceiling. Nick Bosa is returning from the torn ACL he suffered last season, while Kittle is working his way back from an Achilles injury sustained in the playoffs.   The defense also received reinforcements. San Francisco acquired defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas and brought linebacker Dre Greenlaw back after his season in Denver. Veteran cornerbacks Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones were added to the secondary, while Raheem Morris takes over as defensive coordinator.  

Betting Outlook

Sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetRivers see the 49ers as a playoff contender, but they enter behind the Los Angeles Rams and defending champion Seattle Seahawks in a loaded NFC West.   DraftKings listed San Francisco at +305 to win the NFC West, +950 to win the NFC and +1900 to win Super Bowl LXI entering September. The win total is 9.5, with the Over priced at -146 and Under at +120. The 49ers are also -146 to reach the playoffs.  

Key Team Details

• 2025 record: 12-5; reached NFC divisional round.
• Key players to watch: Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
• Expected starting QB: Brock Purdy.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Deebo Samuel, Osa Odighizuwa, Dre Greenlaw, Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones and second-round WR De’Zhaun Stribling.
• Betting odds to win NFC West: +305.
• Betting odds to win NFC: +950.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +1900.
• Win totals over/under: 9.5 — Over -146 / Under +120.

 

2026-27 San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sept. 10	vs. Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne)	8:35 p.m.	Netflix
2	Sept. 20	vs. Miami Dolphins	4:25 p.m.	FOX
3	Sept. 27	vs. Arizona Cardinals	4:05 p.m.	FOX
4	Oct. 4	vs. Denver Broncos	4:25 p.m.	CBS
5	Oct. 11	at Seattle Seahawks	4:25 p.m.	FOX
6	Oct. 19	vs. Washington Commanders	8:15 p.m.	ESPN/ABC
7	Oct. 25	at Atlanta Falcons	1:00 p.m.	FOX
8	—	BYE	—	—
9	Nov. 8	vs. Las Vegas Raiders	4:05 p.m.	CBS
10	Nov. 15	at Dallas Cowboys	4:25 p.m.	FOX
11	Nov. 22	vs. Minnesota Vikings (Mexico City)	8:20 p.m.	NBC
12	Nov. 29	vs. Seattle Seahawks	4:25 p.m.	FOX
13	Dec. 6	at New York Giants	1:00 p.m.	FOX
14	Dec. 13	vs. Los Angeles Rams	4:25 p.m.	FOX
15	Dec. 17	at Los Angeles Chargers	8:15 p.m.	Prime Video
16	Dec. 27	at Kansas City Chiefs	4:25 p.m.	CBS
17	Jan. 3	vs. Philadelphia Eagles	8:20 p.m.	NBC
18	TBD	at Arizona Cardinals	TBD	TBD

  The schedule includes two international games: the season opener against the Rams in Melbourne and a Week 11 matchup with Minnesota in Mexico City. San Francisco also faces a difficult closing stretch featuring the Rams, Chargers, Chiefs and Eagles.