Okay, so get this: the San Francisco 49ers actually had one of football’s most efficient offenses last year. Even with all the quarterback and skill-position injuries they battled in 2025, those guys somehow still finished sixth in EPA per play and an impressive third in offensive success rate. Sounds great, right? But here’s the twist, the one thing that was apparently flying under the radar: for all their efficiency, this wasn’t an explosive offense at all. Not even close.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Collective Problem
Turns out, the Niners ranked a seriously low 21st in explosive play rate last season. We’re talking 80 explosive plays, defined as a pass of 20 yards or a run of at least 12, out of a whopping 1,055 total snaps. That’s just 7.58% explosive plays. Yikes. As training camp kicked off, GM John Lynch didn’t shy away from it one bit. He said they’ve got a “heightened focus” on fixing this glaring issue. He put it bluntly: “We’ve always been an explosive team and probably fell off there a little.” Lynch made it clear this isn’t about one guy. Explosives come from everyone, he explained, from the run game to the passing game, and even special teams. “That’s all 11 on the field. That’s your entire team and that’s what you emphasize.” You gotta love a GM who owns the problem and lays out the fix.
New Faces and Health Are Key To Big Plays
Lynch isn’t just talking, though; they made moves. He said, “in your personnel you go attack that.” That’s exactly why they went after Mike Evans this offseason, a guy Lynch called a “tremendously explosive player.” Evans, a “ball-dominant X” with a Hall of Fame track record of making huge plays downfield, is exactly the kind of big-play weapon they needed in the passing game. But the biggest factor? The health of quarterback Brock Purdy. If Purdy can stay on the field for the full 17-game regular season, that’s going to make a world of difference. Remember, Mac Jones had to fill in for eight games in 2025, and that obviously threw a wrench into things. A healthy Ricky Pearsall, with his chemistry with Purdy and those flashes of big-play ability, would also be a massive boost.
It’s clear Lynch and the Niners aren’t just hoping things get better. They’ve identified a real weakness, they’ve addressed it with personnel, and now it’s all about putting in the work. Lynch stressed, “you’ve got to earn everything in this league. Explosives are no different.” This “heightened focus” on creating big plays on offense and limiting them on defense could completely change their ceiling this upcoming season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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