49ers midseason report card 2025

At the halfway point of the 2025 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers sit at 5-3 — a solid mark considering the number of key injuries they’ve had to overcome. Despite losing defensive stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the year, and missing quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle for extended stretches, the 49ers have stayed competitive in almost every game.

Here’s how each unit grades out at the midpoint of the season.

49ers midseason report card 2025

49ers Midseason Report Card 2025: Offense Grades

Since the 49ers brought running back Christian McCaffrey back to the Bay Area, the Stanford alum has been the engine of their offense. San Francisco’s success continues to hinge on his health.

During the team’s runner-up finish in 2023, McCaffrey totaled nearly 1,500 rushing yards and finished third in MVP voting. Last season, injuries limited him to four games, and the offense sputtered without its centerpiece. This year, McCaffrey has returned to form. His 490 rushing yards, 559 receiving yards, and six touchdowns highlight the expanded role he’s carried amid a depleted lineup.

With Brock Purdy sidelined for most of the first half, Mac Jones has taken the majority of quarterback snaps, throwing for 1,597 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s done an admirable job keeping the offense afloat, avoiding major mistakes, and managing games effectively. Still, injuries to key pass catchers Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings have limited the passing attack.

Up front, the offensive line, led by veteran left tackle Trent Williams, has been serviceable, surrendering 16 sacks through eight games. That said, there’s room for improvement as shown in Week 8, when Houston Texans defensive lineman, most notably Will Anderson, repeatedly disrupted plays in the backfield.

Offense: B

49ers Midseason Report Card 2025: Defense Grades

Robert Saleh’s return for his second stint as defensive coordinator has brought a steadier hand to the 49ers defense. Through eight games, the unit has allowed an average of 20.5 points and 337 yards per game while holding opponents to touchdowns on just 52% of red-zone trips. Against the run, San Francisco has been strong; against the pass, slightly less so.

Still, the defense’s lack of takeaways stands out with only one interception and six fumble recoveries so far this season. Generating turnovers will be crucial for the stretch run, though that’s easier said than done with Bosa, Warner, and several other key defenders sidelined. Depth has been tested heavily, forcing backups into major roles, and the results were evident in the recent loss to Houston, where the 49ers struggled to get off the field.

Defense: B-

Special Teams

After Jake Moody’s continued inconsistency cost him his roster spot, the 49ers turned to Eddy Pineiro — and the veteran has delivered. Pineiro is a perfect 17-for-17 on field goals and has missed just one of 11 extra points, bringing much-needed stability to the kicking game.

Punter Thomas Morstead has quietly performed well, helping control field position, though San Francisco still awaits its first return touchdown of the season.

Special Teams: A-

Coaching 

However, cracks started to show in last week’s lackluster performance against the Texans. The coaching staff will need to keep the group focused and avoid any further slide if the 49ers hope to keep pace with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West.

Coaching: A-

Midseason Overall Grade: B+

Outlook for the Second Half

For San Francisco to make a serious push, it needs Purdy, Pearsall, and Brandon Aiyuk back on the field to give the offense another gear. The reported trade for New England Patriots edge rusher Keion White was a smart first move, but general manager John Lynch may need to add another pass-catcher or defensive piece before the trade deadline.

With injuries piling up for a second straight year, another deep playoff run might be ambitious. Still, with McCaffrey healthy and Shanahan steering the ship, the 49ers have the talent and experience to remain in the NFC playoff race down the stretch.