Since 2019, the San Francisco 49ers have perennially been expected to compete for a Super Bowl.
They’ve had a few bumps in the road due mostly to a couple seasons, but ahead of each season, the expectation hasn’t changed. It’s Super Bowl or bust.
2025 is easily the most uncertain preseason in San Francisco since 2018. Not only are the 49ers coming off a 6-11 season in 2024, but they lost several key players in free agency. They are relying on a lot of young or otherwise unproven players at key positions such as wide receiver and defensive tackle in 2025.
But 49ers superstar EDGE rusher Nick Bosa is still confident that this 49ers team can make it back to the Super Bowl. They may not have the same star power as they did in 2023, but Bosa really likes the play he’s seen in practice from under the radar players.
Plus, Bosa told KNBR, chemistry is often more important than star power.
“You look at like our ‘19 team…it’s not about having a huge name guy at every position like we did in ‘23 or whatever,” Bosa said. “It’s just how you gel.”
There you have it, folks. Don’t underestimate how far the power of friendship can carry the 2025 49ers.
Bosa Looking To Have Bounce-Back Season
Nick Bosa, like the rest of the 49ers, had something of a down year in 2024.
He was still named to the Pro Bowl. But he played in only 14 games, his lowest total since 2020. As a result, he also had his lowest sack total since 2020 with 9 sacks.
Even 2023 wasn’t exactly up to the standard Bosa established in 2022 and 2023. In those two seasons combined, Bosa had 34 sacks. In 2022, he won Defensive Player of the Year after registering 18.5 sacks.
But Bosa has only registered 19.5 sacks combined in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Bosa’s ability to have a resurgent season will likely weigh at least somewhat on how his teammates on the defensive line work around him. The 49ers have dynamic talents on the EDGE opposite Bosa in Mykel Williams, Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos.
But the 49ers have a lot of question marks on the interior. ESPN recently called the 49ers DT group the worst in the NFL.
So hopefully Bosa’s confidence is at least partially inspired by his compatriots on the defensive line’s performances in training camp.
Underrated Players Who Might Break Out for the 49ers in 2025
Nick Bosa obviously thinks that some 49ers players who are not yet considered stars are going to play like stars in 2023. Who might some of those players be?
There’s been a lot of buzz about rookie 49ers receiver Jordan Watkins at OTAs and training camp. He is a strong candidate, especially in a 49ers wide receiver room that lacks depth, to outperform his fourth round draft selection.
Linebacker Nick Martin is another rookie that has impressed 49ers coaches, and linebacker Dee Winters has had a fast start to training camp.
It’s going to become much more clear who has potential for a star turn this season once the preseason begins on August 9, 2025.
What do you think, 49ers fans? Can the Niners compete for a Super Bowl in 2025? If they do, what under-the-radar players will get them there.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Superstar Thinks San Francisco 49ers Can Win Super Bowl For Under-the-Radar Reason appeared first on Heavy Sports.