FS1 host Colin Cowherd isn’t holding out much hope for a major turnaround for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, despite the team’s loaded talent.
The 49ers, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, saw their 2024 campaign crumble to a disappointing 6-11 finish, plagued by injuries and underperformance.
Cowherd, while analyzing the NFC West on The Herd, forecasted the same order of division standings for this upcoming season, predicting the Los Angeles Rams would again claim the top spot.
Shockingly, Cowherd projects the 49ers will finish last in the NFC West, trailing the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
“I do not like what I see with the Niners,” Cowherd said. “I did not like their draft at all. I think when you look at the Niners’ draft, I see Kyle Shanahan taking some reaches here to help him and not the future. He wants to win now.”
Despite Cowherd’s pessimistic forecast, 49ers fans seem unshaken and, in fact, some are more optimistic about their team’s chances in 2025.
Many even took to social media to express their confidence in the team’s potential, with some suggesting that Cowherd’s negative outlook might just be the fuel the 49ers need.
“Has he seen our schedule?” one fan asked.
“This won’t age well for Colin,” another predicted.
“Cool. 49ers winning the West this season,” said another.
“Wow. I thought we’d just have a pretty good year but if Cowherd is saying this, then we’re going to the Super Bowl!” another added, alluding to the fact that Cowherd’s predictions often bomb.
While Cowherd’s skepticism has become fodder for 49ers fans’ optimism, his analysis is rooted in more than just a distaste for the team.
Cowherd has been particularly impressed by the draft picks of the Seahawks, whom he believes could be a serious threat.
He also sees the Arizona Cardinals as a team capable of winning 10 to 11 games this season.
Despite Cowherd’s outlook, the 49ers remain a favorite in the betting world. Vegas has placed the highest win total for the NFC West on San Francisco at 10.5 games, with +175 odds to win the division on FanDuel Sportsbook.
In addition, the 49ers are set to face one of the easiest schedules of 2025, based on their opponents’ win totals.
San Francisco’s schedule includes matchups with several of last season’s worst teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants.
For the 49ers, better health could also be a key factor in returning to playoff contention.
Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Brandon Aiyuk, who battled injuries last season, are expected to be healthy this year.
However, the team has also seen significant departures, with key players like Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Charvarius Ward leaving in the offseason.
What are your thoughts on Cowherd’s prediction? … Can you really see the Niners finishing LAST again in the NFC West???
