49ers Could Lose Key Member of Offense After 2025 Season

Despite the mounting number of injuries they’ve suffered this season, the San Francisco 49ers are among the top teams in the NFL.

Following Sunday’s 37-24 win over the Tennessee Titans, the 49ers are 10-4 and one of just four teams with double-digit wins in the NFC. They’re also just one game behind both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West lead.

And while the team is clicking on all cylinders having won their last four games and five of their last six. But according to a new report, the team could lose one of its top offensive coaches this offseason.

49ers May Be Bracing for Big Offseason Departure

GettySan Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi

Aside from defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s work turning San Francisco’s defense into a respectable unit once again, one of the more underrated coaching jobs across the NFL may just be the works quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi has done this season.

Because of his standout job with both Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, Lombardi’s name is being floated for a high-profile offensive coordinator position under Bill Belichick at North Carolina.

“Mick Lombardi is in his sixth season with the 49ers and his first as the team’s quarterbacks coach,” On3’s Pete Nakos wrote. “He spent the 2024 season with the 49ers as a senior offensive assistant. He’s the son of North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi.

“San Francisco’s 2024 offense finished tied for second in yards per play (6.2), fourth in yards per game (376.3), fourth in passing yards per game (249.1) and fourth in total yards (6,397).”

Aside from his clear connection through his father Micharl Lombardi, who helps Belichick run the Tar Heels program, Mick is a rising name in coaching circles.

With Purdy sidelined for much of the early part of the season, the 49ers went 5-3 in his absence with Jones as the starter. The former first-round pick has thrown for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions and played himself into a big contract as a potential starter on another team next season in the minds of most analysts.

Nakos also mentioned five other prime candidates Belichick could target including two from the NFL in former Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and Houston Texans passing game coordinator Ben McDaniels.

He also named three candidates from the college ranks including Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Arkansas interim head coach Bobby Petrino, and Old Dominion offensive coordinator Kevin Decker.

Saleh Also Generating Head-Coaching Buzz

GettySan Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh

Lombardi isn’t the only 49ers assistant who’s gaining steam in terms of landing a promotion elsewhere.

Multiple reports have indicated that Saleh is a hot name to earn another NFL head-coaching job next season. Some consider him to be a favorite to land the Titans job. Tennessee fired Brian Callahan midseason and is finishing out the year with interim HC Mike McCoy.

Saleh’s name has also been connected to the New York Giants, who are also looking for a new coach after firing Brian Daboll midseason. Saleh is certainly familiar with the New York market given his three-plus seasons as head coach of the Jets.

Despite his 20-36 record as a head coach, some pundits have made the case that Saleh is a coach who’s much better than his record indicates.

Saleh was dealt a tough hand during his time with the Jets. He lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2023 after he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the season opener. He wasn’t given much of a chance to turn things around the following year once Rodgers was healthy either, as he was fired five games into the year.

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post 49ers Could Lose Key Member of Offense After 2025 Season appeared first on Heavy Sports.