What’s next for 49ers? Five moves they need to make to return to playoff contention in 2025

The San Francisco 49ers (6-10) are in unfamiliar territory as the 2024 regular season concludes.

For the first time since the 2020 season, the 49ers failed to make the playoffs. After winning the past two NFC West titles, the 49ers enter the final week of the regular season last in the division in a disappointing campaign.

However, there are reasons to be optimistic in the Bay Area. The cabinets aren’t bare in San Francisco. The 49ers had four players selected for this year’s Pro Bowl and four others picked as alternates.

The 49ers aren’t too far removed from reaching three straight NFC championship games from 2021-2023. USA TODAY Sports explores how the 49ers can bounce back next season:

Five moves the 49ers need to make

Brock Purdy extension

Brock Purdy is eligible for a contract extension this offseason.

The quarterback is slated to earn $1.1 million in base salary next season, in the final year of his rookie contract. Purdy was the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft and has undoubtedly outperformed his contract. He became the franchise’s all-time single-season passing leader in 2023, and he’s registered a 23-13 record in his first 36 regular-season starts.

Purdy’s passing yards per game and quarterback rating regressed this year, but the team’s injuries on offense affected the young quarterback.

The question is whether Purdy’s next deal will be at or near the top of the quarterback market. There are 15 NFL QBs currently averaging an annual salary of at least $40 million annually. Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott became the highest-paid player in NFL history when he signed a four-year, $240 million extension in September.

The 49ers have enjoyed the luxury of paying Purdy a low salary while building out their surrounding team. Purdy’s presumed upcoming extension will certainly have a trickle-down effect on the rest of San Francisco’s roster.

Tough roster decisions

The 49ers currently have nine players ranking in the top 15 in pay at their position.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave each restructured their contracts, which makes it more palatable for the 49ers to part ways with them during the offseason.

Samuel’s seen career lows in catches and receiving yards per game this year. While Hargrave, who only appeared in three games this year due to a triceps injury, hasn’t lived up to his four-year, $84 million contract he inked in 2023.

Players like Samuel and Hargrave could be trade or release candidates this offseason.

In addition, the 49ers must decide on pending free agents such as safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Hufanga and Greenlaw have battled injuries, but the 49ers are a better team when they are on the field.

According to Over The Cap, the 49ers have roughly $63.5 million in cap space for the 2025 season.

Bring back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator

Current 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen has been solid, but the unit isn’t as fierce as in years past. The 49ers rank 22nd in points allowed and 19th in run defense.

Saleh spent four seasons (2017–2020) as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator before becoming the New York Jets head coach. The 49ers had a top-five defensive unit in Saleh’s last two years.

The defensive-minded coach is now available after the Jets fired him in October.

Saleh has an established rapport with many of San Francisco’s defensive players. His philosophy and approach would make for a rather seamless transition.

Revamp Offensive line

Star left tackle Trent Williams and guard Dominick Puni are two starters the 49ers should feel comfortable with entering next season. The rest of the offensive line could be revamped. According to ESPN, Purdy has been pressured on 34.1% of his dropbacks this season, the 10th highest in the NFL.

Furthermore, the 49ers’ 126 rushing yards per game is the team’s lowest output since the 2020 season. The absence of running back Christian McCaffrey and Williams for most of the year hurt the 49ers’ rushing attack. However, the O-line didn’t pass or run block efficiently this season.

Get healthy

The 49ers were decimated by injuries this year. Eighteen 49ers are currently on injured reserve or the PUP list, including franchise pillars Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Williams (ankle), McCaffrey (knee), and Greenlaw (calf). Williams is the only one who played in more than eight games out of the four stars.

The 49ers have plenty of high-end talent, but the team lacks depth behind its stars. San Francisco needs its key players to return to health to bounce back in 2025.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Five moves the 49ers need to make to return to playoff contention