The San Francisco 49ers had one of their most disappointing seasons in some time in 2024, finishing with a 6-11 record and in fourth place in the NFC West after three straight trips to the NFC championship and one to the Super Bowl.

This season, the 49ers are hoping that some of the moves they made, including bringing back defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, drafting Mykel Williams in the first round, trading for Bryce Huff and replacing Deebo Samuel with Demarcus Robinson, will help them get back to their winning ways in 2025.

With rookies reporting to training camp at their SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California, earlier this week and veterans joining on Tuesday, BetMGM currently has set San Francisco’s win total at 10.5 this year. While that’d be considered a lofty number for most, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur recently projected that the 49ers will go over that total and win at least 11 games in 2025.

“There have been some glowing reports about Christian McCaffrey’s health, and yes, after what happened last season, 49ers fans and fantasy GMs have plenty of reason to be skeptical,” Tafur said. “McCaffrey is just one of the reasons the 49ers should bounce back from a 6-11 record. They brought back defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, used their first five draft picks on the defense and traded for pass rusher Bryce Huff to line up opposite Nick Bosa. Brock Purdy got a big new contract, and there’s no reason to think he can’t take another step in his development. The 49ers lost receiver Deebo Samuel but Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall will hold it down — maybe? — until Brandon Aiyuk is back. (We gave you Josh Allen as the MVP at 8-to-1 last year and if he doesn’t repeat — at 6-to-1 — Purdy might just shock the world at 28-to-1.)”

The 49ers have their work cut out for them, as it’s hard to argue that their roster is much better than it was last year. However, health could be the game-changer for the franchise in 2025 after key players like McCaffrey, Aiyuk and Trent Williams missed significant time last year that certainly cost them games. If that trio can stay on the field and play to best of their abilities, San Francisco should see an improved record this season.

Whether it’s enough to bring them back to at least 11 wins for the third time in four years remains to be seen.

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