For the first time in four years, the 49ers can begin vacation planning for the second week of January.

The 49ers are not technically eliminated from the NFL playoffs, but their 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday all but sealed their fate.

But that doesn’t mean San Francisco’s final three games of the 2024 NFL season are meaningless. These games will be taken into account as 49ers decision-makers craft their plan for 2025 and beyond.

“We’ll figure out in the next few weeks who wants to be here,” 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said.

Coach Kyle Shanahan also expressed this opinion. Despite their record of 6-8, these games are important. It’s just that they matter in a different way.

“Every time we wear our uniform we go on the field, no matter the situation. I expect us to play a certain way,” Shanahan said.

“That’s the standard of how we do things and if you can’t play to that standard then make it easy for us and show us that and you won’t be a part of it.”

What the team will look like in 2025 and what roster decisions will be made are some of the questions on the minds of the faithful in this edition of the 49ers’ overreactions:

With Aiyuk’s injury leaving uncertainty for 2025 and Deebo and Pearsall underperforming, the WR position has become a major concern heading into the offseason.

— @49ersjamie.bsky.social

Overreaction? NO.

Because of the amount of uncertainty in this group, it would be wise for the 49ers to add a starting-caliber wide receiver next season.

Jauan Jennings is under contract until next season. He was the team’s best wide receiver this season. And it wasn’t even close.

Deebo Samuel is also under contract, but his place in the squad is anything but certain. His production has fallen far short of expectations and one can question whether he can bounce back at this stage of his career. He turns 29 in mid-January and has seen a lot of wear and tear over his six NFL seasons.

Brandon Aiyuk is a wild card due to his recovery from a torn ACL. Even if he’s ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, it’s unlikely he’ll be anywhere near peak condition.

The 49ers are not giving up on Ricky Pearsall and neither should the fan base. After he was shot in the chest in August, we would all do well to just write off this season and give him a blank roster for next year.

Still, Jennings is by far the best wide receiver on the team and the only one who can be relied upon in a big way next season.

They need more options at wide receiver to add depth and security to the passing game.

Deebo should sit on the bench. Is he better than the next guy at this point?

— @jestermarcus.bsky.social

Overreaction? Yes.

Samuel’s numbers are down and he hasn’t appeared to be the same dynamic playmaker he was in past seasons.

Samuel hasn’t produced much in the last five games for the 49ers. He has only 101 yards receiving in that five-game span while catching eight carries for 15 yards. He had a big moment against the Rams on Thursday, dropping a perfectly thrown pass that could have led to a game-winning touchdown in the third quarter.

Could any other player improve on these numbers? Secure. It wouldn’t take much. But it would also add another dimension of drama if a team captain were left out of the starting lineup.

That said, of course you should put Pearsall and Jacob Cowing on the field more often in the last three games and try to give them the ball.

But the 49ers should still play Samuel and figure out this offseason whether it’s time to move on or bring him back for his contract year.

De’Vondre Campbell should never play another snap in the NFL.

— @socal49ers.bsky.social

Overreaction? NO.

It seems certain that De’Vondre Campbell wouldn’t exactly receive a glowing recommendation from either of his final two teams.

The Green Bay Packers released Campbell earlier this year. And he wrote on social media: “Someone is about to get a great football player who was severely abused.”

Campbell wrote, among other things, about the Packers’ staff: “There are some coaches for whom I have lost ALL respect.”

The 49ers signed Campbell as a backup no matter how long Dre Greenlaw was out of action. When Greenlaw returned Thursday night, Campbell was relegated to a backup role.

He just refused to come into the game when the 49ers needed him. Greenlaw was taken out of the game as a precaution and Dee Winters was sidelined with a neck injury.

That’s right, a professional football player wore a uniform and immediately decided that he wasn’t going to play football. That should be the end of my career right there.

Campbell, 31, is a nine-year NFL veteran. His better days are behind him. At this point, no team should be willing to sign him.

Re-signing Dre Greenlaw should be the 49ers’ top priority this offseason.

— @chadlegege.bsky.social

Overreaction? NO.

The 49ers defense just looks different – ​​more impressive – when Greenlaw is on the field.

He brings fire, passion and aggression that is contagious. And even though it’s been 10 months since his last game, he still looked good against the Rams on Thursday. He registered eight tackles while playing just 30 snaps.

Greenlaw is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year in March. There could be some other teams pursuing him despite his injury history.

The 49ers have known Greenlaw since the day he walked into the building as a fifth-round draft pick in 2019. It seems like the 49ers should value Greenlaw more than any other team and give him a contract that ensures he stays with the organization.

Purdy needs better protection. The perfect throws under pressure last year don’t seem to be sustainable for him, and if he is our future, we need to protect him better and give him time to develop his plays.

— @samsonneustrom.bsky.social

Overreaction? No, but …

The goal should be to protect the quarterback better and better.

But there is one measure that suggests the 49ers’ pass protection has improved this season.

Purdy doesn’t get rid of the ball as quickly as he did a year ago. Is this because he is less decisive? Does early pressure force him to move to avoid sacks? Or are his receivers not opening up quickly enough?

It could be all of these reasons.

Purdy ranks seventh in the NFL this season with an average time of 3.05 seconds to make the throw. Last year it took him 2.74 seconds to throw.

Pro Football Focus rates the 49ers’ pass blocking significantly better this season. Last year, the 49ers ranked 24th in pass blocking. This year they are 12.

Still, we agree that nearly every position group on the 49ers should be examined. Steps should be taken to add good players in each position group. However, special attention should be paid to Purdy’s supporting cast, as it’s obvious he’s going to be the star for a long time to come.

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