The San Francisco 49ers season ended a few weeks ago in Seattle.
The 41-6 loss to the Seahawks closed the door on a campaign that defied expectations for most of the year. San Francisco finished 12-5 in the regular season and won a road playoff game in Philadelphia before the blowout in the Divisional Round.
But how should the 49ers view 2025? Was it a success or a disappointment? Tight end George Kittle answered that question this week.
Speaking about the season, Kittle did not focus on the playoff loss. He focused on what the 49ers accomplished despite everything working against them.
Kittle Explains His Season Grade
GettySan Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle.
Kittle gave the 49ers’ 2025 season an A or B+.
That grade reflects what the 49ers accomplished rather than how the season ended. Kittle’s reasoning went beyond the final score of the final game. He pointed to the injuries the 49ers battled all year and the wins they managed to secure despite those absences.
“I missed the first couple of weeks. We lost Brock Purdy for several weeks. Then we lost Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and we still won 13 games,” Kittle said. “Jeez Louise, boys—good job.”
The 49ers lost five of their six highest-paid players for extended stretches during the regular season. Brock Purdy missed multiple weeks with turf toe. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner combined to play just nine regular season games. Kittle himself missed the first two weeks of the season.
Despite all of that, San Francisco won 12 games and secured a playoff berth. Then they went into Philadelphia and won on the road. For Kittle, that alone justified the high grade.
The 49ers were written off as a rebuilding team before the season started. Kittle acknowledged as much when he noted that everyone told him it was a rebuilding year because the team lost key pieces and had no money to spend in free agency. Most analysts predicted a down year. Instead, San Francisco proved they could win even when the roster was decimated by injuries.
Kittle acknowledged that the 49ers did not achieve their ultimate goal. Their goal every year is to win a Super Bowl, and they fell short. But context matters. The 49ers showed resilience and character throughout the year, and Kittle believes that deserves recognition.
“Winning 13 games as a team who lost 5 of their 6 most expensively paid players for an extended period of time is pretty awesome,” Kittle said. “So I give it an A or B+, we’ll go with that.”
“I missed the first couple of weeks. We lost Brock Purdy for several weeks. Then we lost Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and we still won 13 games. Jeez Louise, boys— good job. Everyone told me it was a rebuilding year
What the Injuries Meant for the 49ers
The 49ers dealt with adversity from Week 1 onward.
Purdy suffered the turf toe injury in the season opener, and San Francisco’s offense immediately lost its rhythm. Backup quarterback Mac Jones stepped in and went 5-3 as a starter, but the offense was not the same without Purdy running the show.
Bosa and Warner missed extended time on defense. Those two players are the foundation of San Francisco’s defense, and replacing them proved impossible. The 49ers’ defensive performance suffered when they were unavailable, and opponents targeted the weaknesses created by their absences.
Kittle tore his Achilles in the Wild Card Round against Philadelphia, ending his season before the Divisional Round. Christian McCaffrey was one of the few stars who stayed healthy for most of the season, but by the time the Seahawks game arrived, he looked out of juice after carrying the offensive load for so long.
Every team deals with injuries. But the 49ers lost their best players on both sides of the ball at the same time, and they still found ways to win. That is what stood out to Kittle when he reflected on the season.
The younger players gained valuable experience. The depth was tested, and some players stepped up while others struggled. But the 49ers never collapsed. They finished with a winning record and made the playoffs. In a season where many expected them to miss the postseason entirely, that qualifies as a success.
Why 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Deserved More Recognition
GettyHead coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
Kyle Shanahan did not win Coach of the Year for the 2025 season.
But he would have been a worthy winner. Shanahan coached a depleted roster to 12 wins and a playoff victory. He navigated injuries to his most important players and still kept the 49ers competitive in nearly every game they played.
Kittle’s grade reflects the belief that Shanahan’s coaching job in 2025 was one of his best. The 49ers overachieved relative to expectations, and that starts with the head coach. Shanahan adjusted his game plans to account for missing players, leaned on his depth, and kept the locker room focused.
San Francisco’s performance against Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round showed what Shanahan could do with limited resources. The 49ers were underdogs on the road against the defending champions, and they won. That game validated the work Shanahan put in all season to keep the team competitive.
Final Word
George Kittle gave the 49ers’ 2025 season an A or B+.
That grade reflects what San Francisco accomplished despite the injuries. The 49ers won 12 games with a depleted roster. They won a road playoff game. They stayed competitive all year even when their best players were unavailable.
The loss to Seattle was painful, but it does not define the season. The 49ers exceeded expectations and proved they can win even when adversity strikes. That resilience will serve them well in 2026 if they can build on what they learned this year.
The 2026 offseason will define San Francisco’s championship window. General manager John Lynch needs to address the offensive line and add depth at wide receiver. But Kittle’s optimism suggests he believes the foundation is still strong. The 49ers have the right players, a head coach who can scheme around weaknesses, and a culture built on resilience.
Health remains the biggest question. The 49ers have dealt with significant injuries in recent years, and avoiding another injury spiral will determine whether they can compete for a championship. But if the roster stays healthy, Kittle believes they have the talent to compete with anyone. That belief is shared by Purdy, who recently said he gives the 49ers a 100 percent chance of winning a Super Bowl in 2026.
Shanahan deserved more recognition for his coaching job. The 49ers are not rebuilding. They are retooling, and Kittle believes they have the right pieces to compete for a championship when everyone is healthy. The 2025 season did not end the way anyone wanted, but it was not a failure.
49ers’ George Kittle Gets Blunt About 2025 Season