The 49ers underwent a significant roster overhaul this offseason following a disappointing 6-11 campaign. Key contributors such as linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel are gone, along with several defensive linemen.
San Francisco restocked its roster through the draft, bringing in 11 rookies the team hopes can make immediate impacts. Combined with improved injury luck, Johnson sees a clear path for the 49ers to bounce back.
During a segment on FS1's Speak, Johnson pointed to Samuel, who was traded to the Washington Commanders, as the most notable departure, but acknowledged his production had dipped.
"You still got [RB] Christian McCaffery," Johnson said, "you still got [WR Brandon] Aiyuk, you still got [LB] Fred Warner, you still got [QB] Brock Purdy and [TE George] Kittle and [OL] Trent Williams. So, you still got [DE Nick] Bosa and company. They still there.
"And I love when people [talk about] the losses for the 49ers. The real loss is Deebo Samuel, because when you look at the other players, like [RB] Elijah Mitchell and [OL] Jaylon Moore and [OL] Aaron Banks, they're guys, but they're not the frontline guys."
He continued, "Hufanga was a frontline guy, but often injured—a lot. Greenlaw was a frontline guy, but often injured. They had planned on moving on from them."
Johnson also doesn't see the defensive line changes as a major setback, arguing that players like Leonard Floyd are replaceable. He believes the team addressed those needs through the draft and the trade for Bryce Huff.
"So, they didn't lose the type of pieces that we think," Johnson added. "They lost some numbers, but they replaced those numbers in free agency and through the draft. I don't think they're going to fall off at all. I think the culture is still there and their window for the Super Bowl is still wide open."
H/t to Nick Avila of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers GM John Lynch opens up about wide receiver situation, injuries
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined NFL Network's Inside Training Camp Live alongside Maurice Jones-Drew and Alex Smith, where he discussed the team's revamped wide receiver room, recent injuries, and the return of Deebo Samuel. The 49ers' receiving corps... -
Sports Illustrated lists 49ers wide receiver among rookie wideouts already turning heads
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling isn't just opening eyes in the Bay Area. After an impressive first week of training camp, people around the league are starting to take notice. Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated recently highlighted five rookie wide... -
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addresses the media during training camp
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Saturday's training camp practice. It was the first time he spoke publicly since suffering injuries during a July 14 car accident. Here's everything he had to say. Transcript provided by the San Francisco... -
49ers' Trent Williams climbs in NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 rankings
A fourth San Francisco 49ers player has earned a spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list. Twelve-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams came in at No. 40, climbing five spots from his No. 45 ranking in 2025. No. 40 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@49ers OT...