2024 hit the 49ers reputation hard. They lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. But HC Kyle Shanahan couldn’t even take them to the playoffs with a poor 6-11 win-loss record in 2024. Injuries played the spoilsport. They found it hard to find players who could perform. Finally, their chance came to the free agency. And the Niners empire is recruiting new soldiers to boost up their defense. Solidity! That’s their principal goal. 2025 is the year of getting that respect back!

National reporter Cameron Wolfe revealed on March 17 that special teams/DB/CB Siran Neal is on his way to the 49ers on a 2-year deal. The other details of the contract are unknown yet. But he brings in a major chunk of experience from the AFC East. The Bills drafted Neal in the 5th round(154th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He moved to the Dolphins in 2024.

This move isn’t a surprise, considering the defensive coordinator Robert Saleh wants more defensive players. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported, ““To be clear, Saleh isn’t blindsided by the mass exodus. Most of these moves were covered in his job interview in January. Saleh was aware of the 49ers’ offseason financial recalibration that general manager John Lynch revealed to reporters last month.” So, he and Kyle Shanahan are ready for the fresh crop of talent.

Kyle Shanahan has seen the potential in Neal. With an experience of 126 tackles in 114 games (1 starter), he has enough playing time. Even Neal said, “I want to carry the team on special teams.” The 49ers GM John Lynch acknowledged the new era they were in, revealing they were recalibrating the team. But there have been mistakes.

They didn’t keep their premium linebacker, Dre Greenlaw. And the move backfired after another team poached him.

Kyle Shanahan fails to re-sign his free agent

The Niners first let the LB become a free agent. It opened the doors for the Broncos HC Sean Payton to make an offer. It finally happened. Greenlaw signed a 3-year $35 million deal with the AFC West side. In details, only the first year is guaranteed. So, the LB only has 1-year $11.5 million.

Kyle Shanahan missed this chance. According to sources, the Niners management made a one-year offer to Dre Greenlaw. But money wise, the deal offered much lesser money. So, it was obvious that he would reject the offer. That fouled Kyle Shanahan’s plan to hijack the deal.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed the inside details, “The Niners tried to flip Dre Greenlaw back to San Francisco, and I think they were pretty persuasive, but not persuasive enough. And I think Dre Greenlaw stood his ground and kind of stayed with Denver.” That’s a big void which Kyle Shanahan needs to fill.

Fans were disappointed with the way their favorite LB got out. First, the 49ers allowed him to test free agency. And when he got a good offer, they tried to get him to flip on the offer. That’s something no one would ever want. The league runs on contracts, deals, and agreements. And what reason he could have given? They didn’t even offer a 1-year deal that could have stood against the Broncos offer.

They are adding players. And there is another strategy they will execute. Pick players in the 2025 NFL Draft. That will happen next month. A game that will continue till the season starts.