For the forseeable future, the NFC West is a three-team division.<\/p>\n
As the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> continue to navigate the early stages of a rebuild, the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, and reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks<\/a> will fight for this season’s divisional crown.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n While the Rams and Seahawks battled for a trip to Super Bowl LX just four months ago, San Francisco<\/a> made multiple big-time moves this offseason in hopes of toppling both rivals.<\/p>\n On top of big swings for the likes of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> receiver Mike Evans<\/a> via free agency and Dallas Cowboys<\/a> defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa<\/a> through a trade, the Niners shored up their secondary with the additions of Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs<\/a>.<\/p>\n John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan certainly added high-profile names to what was already one of the best rosters in the entire NFL \u2014 but will it be enough to unseat either of the NFC Title game’s participants?<\/p>\n It depends. San Francisco almost always boasts a creative offense complemented by a stifling defense, whenever it’s healthy. But that’s been the crux of many Niners teams dating back to the team’s first run to Super Bowl LIV under Shanahan over six years ago.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n On paper, an offense led by Brock Purdy<\/a>, Christian McCaffrey<\/a>, George Kittle<\/a>, Ricky Pearshall and Evans should be unstoppable. Unfortunately, most of San Francisco’s offensive star power also possesses an extensive injury history.<\/p>\n The same goes for the defense, which will now be anchored by Odighizuwa, who’ll receive assistance from Nick Bosa<\/a> and Fred Warner<\/a> \u2014 each of whom is coming off a devastating injury of their own.<\/p>\n So, to answer the initial question above: yes, Lynch and Shanahan’s decision-making has set the Niners up to potentially unseat the Rams or Seahawks, but the roster’s overall health will be the most important factor.<\/p>\n The NFL has seen what Shanahan’s offense can do, even when not at full strength. There’s no need to look any further than what Mac Jones<\/a> was able to do last season while filling in for an injured Purdy.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But after losing Bosa and Kittle, each in demoralizing fashion, San Francisco’s defense was its biggest blemish in 2025, yet the Niners still racked up 12 wins in the regular season and won a playoff game before falling to the Seahawks in the Divisional Round.<\/p>\n