2025 Season Overview
The San Francisco 49ers have secured a playoff berth in the 2025 NFL season with a 10-4 regular season record. This marks their return to the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2024 when they finished 6-11. The team clinched their playoff spot when the Detroit Lions lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, officially ending their one-year playoff drought.
The 49ers' 10-4 record represents their fourth winning season in five years, demonstrating sustained competitive excellence under head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. The team finished third in the NFC West division, behind the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) and Los Angeles Rams (11-4). Their balanced performance includes a 4-2 home record and a strong 6-2 away record, showing consistency across different environments.
Defensive Coordinator Return
The 49ers brought back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator for the 2025 season, replacing Nick Sorensen who was dismissed after one year. Saleh previously served as the team's defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, a period that established him as a key architect of the 49ers' defensive success. His return represents a strategic move to restore defensive excellence and continuity.
Saleh's appointment comes after he spent three seasons as head coach of the New York Jets, where he was relieved of his duties just five games into the 2024 season. His experience both with the 49ers' defensive system and his broader NFL coaching background position him to provide stability and improved performance in the secondary and defensive line as the team enters the playoffs.
NFC West Performance
The 49ers demonstrated strong divisional performance with a 2-2 divisional record and notably won all three road games against NFC West opponents. They defeated the Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals in away contests, showcasing their ability to compete effectively on the road. This success against division rivals positions them well for potential playoff matchups within the conference.
Offensively and defensively, the 49ers scored 344 points while allowing 293 points throughout the season, indicating a relatively balanced attack and solid defensive performance. With a 0.714 winning percentage, they rank sixth in the overall NFC conference standings, placing them among the legitimate playoff contenders heading into the postseason.