The 2025 season is done, and the final press conference with John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan wrapped up on Wednesday. The 49ers need another defensive coordinator for the third straight season and face tough questions about their roster and roster construction philosophy.
Steph Sanchez and I answered the tough questions about the 49ers and their future on the latest episode of Bully Ball.
Fact or Fiction: Ricky Pearsall cannot be the 49ers’ #1 WR next season
Unfortunately, this is a fact. There is no denying his talent, but his availability is the issue. If the 49ers go into 2026 with just Pearsall as their only separator and “X” receiver, they are rolling the dice on him making it through the entire season.
The 49ers must look to add another receiver to complement Pearsall or have the second-year receiver complement a true “X” receiver. Their divisional loss to Seattle highlighted the lack of speed from the receiver room. The only way to test that defense is to have multiple receivers who can win against man coverage.
Fact or Fiction: Kyle Shanahan is the third-best coach in the NFC West
I’ll say this is fiction, but it’s hard to argue with both Seattle and Los Angeles on the doorstep of a Super Bowl berth. I’ll take it a step further, I believe the winner of the NFC title game will win the Super Bowl. Either Sean McVay is going to win his second title or Mike MacDonald is going to win his first.
This answer can change depending on who raises the Lombardi at Levi’s Stadium.
Fact or Fiction: The 49ers’ defense will be worse next season without Robert Saleh
It’s fiction because Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Mykel Williams will return, but the assumed promotion of Gus Bradley as the new defensive coordinator doesn’t inspire evolution or progress with the scheme. In fact, it will stay the same, and Bradley’s track record isn’t great with his defenses allowing yards at a high rate, and is the epitome of “bend but don’t break.”
It’s hard to say it will be worse with the return of those impact defenders, but the coordinator isn’t going to be the reason it is better. Going from Saleh to Bradley is a downgrade.
Fact or Fiction: Seattle runs the NFC West for the next 3-5 years
This feels like a prisoner-of-the-moment question-and-answer, but this is fiction. You just never know in the NFL. There is no doubt Seattle is set up for extended success, but this is the NFL, and things change in a blink. They are young and well coached, but injuries happen, teams adjust, and it’s hard to run a division for that long with three excellent teams in it.
For the extended conversation, check out the video below:
