2025 49ers Midseason Awards: Top Performers and Surprises

The midpoint of the 2025 NFL season is the perfect time to recognize the San Francisco players who have impressed, improved, and disappointed through the 49ers’ 6-3 start to the campaign.

2025 49ers Midseason Awards: Top Performers and Surprises

MVP Award

The 49ers’ MVP so far is undoubtedly running back Christian McCaffrey. The nine-year veteran has doubled as both the team’s most dangerous receiving threat and its primary ball carrier, totaling 596 rushing yards, 626 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. Half of his touchdowns have come on the ground and half through the air—a testament to the All-Pro’s immense do-it-all ability.

At times, McCaffrey has imposed his will as a one-man offense. Even though starting quarterback Brock Purdy and others are set to return soon, the 49ers’ hopes still rest largely on McCaffrey — the heart and soul of this team.

Most Improved Player: 49ers Midseason Awards

While several 49ers have shown growth through the first eight games, linebacker Dee Winters stands out most.

Dee Winters’ Breakout

The 2023 sixth-round pick out of TCU spent his first two seasons in a rotational role, but the offseason departure of Dre Greenlaw to the Denver Broncos opened up a starting spot next to Fred Warner in the middle of San Francisco’s defense. Winters seized the opportunity, beating out rookie Nick Martin in training camp and thriving since. He leads the team with 59 tackles and is tied for second in tackles for loss (four) and passes defended (three).

Supporting Cast Improvement

Warner’s season-ending injury means even more reps and responsibility for Winters and Tatum Bethune, both of whom are developing quickly. Bethune in particular has risen to the occasion. He flew around the field for a team-leading 16 tackles in the team’s 34-24 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. Additionally, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has steadily improved into the team’s No. 1 corner, routinely lining up against opponents’ top receivers.

Biggest Disappointment Award

Injuries have once again derailed parts of the 49ers’ roster, sidelining several stars for extended stretches. Therefore, it would be unfair to label Purdy or George Kittle as disappointments when they’ve barely played this season.

However, wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been largely underwhelming. In seven games, he has 22 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns, well short of his full-season totals from last year: 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns.

With Brandon Aiyuk yet to make his season debut, these past few weeks presented Jennings a chance to step up as the primary target — an opportunity he hasn’t fully seized. He remains better suited as a complementary piece rather than a true No. 1 receiver. Jennings will have a chance to turn his slow start to the season around in the second half. His four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Giants were a good starting point. Nevertheless, McCaffrey outpaced Jennings, leading the team in both rushing and receiving yards once again.

Unsung Hero Award

Not all contributions show up on stat sheets—some players quietly keep the team afloat. The 49ers wouldn’t be 5-3 without contributions from the following unexpected heroes.

Tight end Jake Tonges has stepped up amid injuries to the team’s top pass-catchers, culminating in a career-best 11 receptions and a touchdown in an overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams.

Meanwhile, kicker Eddy Piñeiro has stabilized what was a major weakness. After San Francisco moved on from Jake Moody, Piñeiro has been nearly automatic — making all 19 field goal attempts and only missing one extra point in his first eight games with the team.

From established stars like McCaffrey to unexpected contributors such as Tonges and Piñeiro, the 49ers’ first-half awards paint a clear picture of a team defined by resilience and depth. With half a season left to play, new names could easily join the midseason awards list before year’s end.