The San Francisco 49ers are done waiting around. After a frustrating 2025 season marred by injuries and underperformance, the Niners are poised to make a massive splash in free agency, fortifying their defense with not one, but two beastly edge rushers while securing a key offensive weapon from their own ranks. According to fresh projections from FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, the 49ers are set to reunite brothers on the D-line, add a young pass-rushing talent, and lock in a reliable receiver who’s been a touchdown machine. Buckle up, NFC West—this pass rush is about to become an absolute nightmare for quarterbacks everywhere.
Let’s start with the offense, where the 49ers are bringing back a familiar face: wide receiver Jauan Jennings. At 28 years old, Jennings has been a gritty, clutch performer for San Francisco, hauling in 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Sure, his 2025 stats—643 yards on 90 targets, ranking 55th in yards per target—weren’t eye-popping, but that’s partly due to the overall underwhelming state of the Niners’ receiving corps. With Brandon Aiyuk sidelined for the entire year recovering from a devastating knee injury, the team is expected to move on from him, opening the door for Jennings to step up as a primary option.
Auman predicts Jennings will re-sign with the 49ers, despite potential salary cap hurdles. “Jennings could benefit as San Francisco is expected to move on from Brandon Aiyuk,” Auman noted. But there’s a caveat: If Jennings’ market value skyrockets beyond $20 million per year, it could price him out of the Bay Area. Still, the projection leans toward a homecoming, giving quarterback Brock Purdy a tough, physical target who’s proven he can deliver in the red zone. This move signals the 49ers’ commitment to continuity on offense, avoiding a complete overhaul while addressing their pass-catching woes.
Now, onto the real fireworks: the defense. The 49ers’ front office has apparently run out of patience with their edge rush production, and they’re going all-in on free agency to terrorize opposing offenses. First up is a family reunion that’s been teased for years—veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa, formerly of the Chargers and Bills, is projected to join his younger brother, Nick Bosa, in San Francisco.
At 30, Joey Bosa is coming off a solid but not spectacular 2025 in Buffalo, where he notched five sacks and led the NFL with five forced fumbles in a healthy campaign. Auman highlights the appeal: “With two playoff wins in 10 years in the league, might he consider taking less to join his brother Nick with the 49ers and try to make a meaningful postseason push?” Buffalo’s cap troubles could make this a reality, as the Bills look to get younger. Bosa’s projected deal? Around $12.6 million, similar to his last contract—a bargain for a proven disruptor who could thrive alongside Nick, creating a brotherly tandem that’s every offensive lineman’s worst dream.
But the 49ers aren’t stopping there. Auman also links them to Arnold Ebiketie, the 27-year-old edge rusher who’s been squeezed out in Atlanta. A former second-round pick, Ebiketie exploded for 12 sacks across 2023-24 but saw his role diminish in 2025 as the Falcons drafted two first-round rookies, jumping their sack total from 31 to 57. Ebiketie managed just two sacks last year, but Auman sees untapped potential: “That’s not to say he can’t get back to a solid rotational role in a fresh start.”
Projected for a one-year prove-it deal in the $6-8 million range, Ebiketie could follow former Falcons coach Raheem Morris to San Francisco (or reunite with Ryan Nielsen elsewhere, but the Niners are the frontrunners here). Imagine Ebiketie rotating in with the Bosa brothers— that’s a terrifying trio capable of relentless pressure, forcing turnovers, and collapsing pockets. The 49ers’ defense, already anchored by stars like Fred Warner and Talanoa Hufanga, would become an elite unit overnight.
This free agency haul isn’t just about adding talent; it’s a statement. The 49ers, stung by Aiyuk’s absence and a lackluster pass rush, are reloading for a Super Bowl run in 2026. Re-signing Jennings provides offensive stability, while the Bosa-Ebiketie additions inject veteran savvy and youthful upside into the D-line. If these projections hold, San Francisco’s patience has officially expired—and the rest of the league should be scared.
Stay tuned as free agency approaches; the 49ers are building a monster. Go Niners!
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