49ers lose several fan favorites at the start of free agency

The San Francisco 49ers are making significant roster changes because they cannot continue paying top dollar for veteran players. As free agency kicks off, several fan favorites have already left the team, signaling a different look for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad in 2025.

RELATED 49ers 2025 Free Agency Tracker: Signings, Interests, Departures

Ahead of March 10, the first day NFL teams were allowed to negotiate with impending free agents, the 49ers had already agreed to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. However, the official start of the negotiating period saw several other key players leave for new teams.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga are set to sign with the Denver Broncos, with those moves becoming official on Wednesday. Cornerback Charvarius Ward also departed, agreeing to a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.

On Monday evening, the 49ers informed fullback Kyle Juszczyk that he would be released. Juszczyk, the team's longest-tenured player, was set to count $6.5 million against the 2025 salary cap. With the fullback position becoming less prominent in the NFL and Juszczyk set to count $6.5 million against the 2025 salary cap, this move was understandable but still difficult for some to see.

Juszczyk plans to continue his playing career.

"I want to win a ring," Juszczyk said in January. "I want to win a ring here (with the 49ers). But again, if I'm forced to do it somewhere else, I've still got so much football left in me. I still love the game so much. I'm still playing at a high level, and I know there's teams out there that can use me."

So far, the 49ers have not made any high-profile acquisitions. Their lone additions have been tight end Luke Farrell and safety Richie Grant. The team has also re-signed offensive lineman Ben Bartch, defensive tackle Kevin Givens, and running back Patrick Taylor and placed a second-round tender on running back Jordan Mason.

However, the 49ers' losses have been far more significant, sparking concern among fans. The writing had been on the wall since February, when general manager John Lynch made it clear that the team could no longer afford to award so many massive contracts.

"I think since Kyle and I have been here, we've been certainly a top five, I believe, number two, cash spending team in the four years," Lynch said. "Going into the fourth year, I think we're the fourth-highest cash-spending team, so at some point, you have to reset a little bit or at least recalibrate. You can't just keep pressing the pedal, and I think there's some good that could come out."

Reports have suggested that ownership has begun to regret some of the recent high-spending moves, particularly the large contracts handed to players like Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa, and Brandon Aiyuk. None of these moves have resulted in a championship. Now, the team is preparing to make quarterback Brock Purdy one of the NFL's highest-paid players.

While this offseason isn't being labeled as a rebuild, it's clear that the team is undergoing a reset following a 6-11 season, with several familiar faces headed out the door.

Players Not Returning to the 49ers in 2025:

• OG Aaron Banks (signing with Packers)
• DT Maliek Collins (being released)
• QB Joshua Dobbs (signing with Patriots)
• OL Jon Feliciano (retired)
• LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (released)
• LB Dre Greenlaw (signing with Broncos)
• DT Javon Hargrave (being released)
• S Talanoa Hufanga (signing with Broncos)
• FB Kyle Juszczyk (being released)
• RB Elijah Mitchell (signing with Chiefs)
• OT Jaylon Moore (signing with Chiefs)
• WR Deebo Samuel (traded to Commanders)
• CB Charvarius Ward (signing with Colts)