Jan. 30, 2026, 8:45 p.m. PT

The San Francisco 49ers are entering the offseason with 28 players set to hit free agency, and the duo of general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will have to decide how to proceed with each of them.

While a few of these free agents could significantly impact the outlook for the 2026 season, others could go without much of an issue.

One 49er who is set to hit the market is wide receiver/punt returner Skyy Moore. Let’s examine the decision San Francisco will have to make regarding the 25-year-old.

Skyy Moore 2025 season recap

Moore came to the 49ers (along with a 2027 seventh-round pick in a late-August trade with the Kansas City Chiefs that sent a 2027 sixth-round pick back to the AFC West. The Western Michigan alumni caught five passes for 87 yards and served as their primary punt returner, averaging 11.6 yards per attempt.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Potential replacements for Skyy Moore

San Francisco has a few potential replacements for Moore on the roster, but Jacob Cowing, who missed the year due to injury, is the most likely to take on those roles.

If the 49ers wish to replace Moore as a wide receiver and returner in free agency, there are options. Rashid Shaheed is probably the best replacement for him, but Greg Dortch, Devin Duvernay and Kalif Raymond could also fill in.

What free agency contract could Sky Moore get?

Moore made $1.51 million in 2025, playing on the final year of his rookie contract. Duvernay is probably the best comparison for Moore, and the Chicago Bears’ punt returner and wide receiver played on a $1.17 million deal this year.

With the projected cap increase, Moore should expect to make around $2 million in 2026.

Should the 49ers re-sign Skyy Moore?

Moore was the 10th-most efficient punt returner in the league (of those who returned at least 16 punts). That’s a respectable weapon on special teams, and the money is more than reasonable.

If the 49ers aren’t willing to pay the price that Shaheed will command on the market, San Francisco should bring Moore back on a short-term deal and allow him to compete with Cowing for the job throughout the offseason program and preseason.

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