​A former 49ers safety predicts that Kyle Shanahan’s offense will be the top unit in the NFL in 2026. “You’ve got an All-Pro on the left in Evans who demands double coverage, and you’ve got George Kittle, a tight end who forces defenses to shade over the middle,” he said. “You have to account for the run with Christian McCaffrey, who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. He demands a linebacker, a safety, or a corner to commit to him.” He continued, “Then you add Ricky Pearsall, who finished as the NFL’s third-best separator last year. Who do you double? You can’t double everybody, and that is where Shanahan excels like no other coach. He identifies the matchup problem, then targets the defense’s Achilles heel. That is why I believe this will be the No. 1 offense in the league this season.”
Meanwhile, the 49ers roster preview is spotlighting a player who could define their ceiling this year: Jacob Cowing. Last offseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that Cowing put in more work than most. In the current spring period, Shanahan said he was encouraged by how Cowing and fellow receiver Jake were returning. “They came back not only healthy but clearly engaged in work,” Shanahan observed. If every 49ers player lined up in the end zone and sprinted to midfield, Cowing would likely be the first to reach the 50. He appears to have an extra gear, evidenced during OTAs when he beat the secondary multiple times. Cowing has addressed his earlier injury concerns, insisting that his health is no longer a lingering issue. Still, the durability question lingers until he can survive a full training camp and prove he can stay on the field consistently.
Purdy’s play during the previous season underscored one of the system’s limitations: his intermediate targeting dipped to about 21%. That figure isn’t a reflection on Purdy alone; it signals a broader issue for the 49ers’ receiving group. If the offense is designed around route concepts that stretch 12 to 18 yards, it hinges on having receivers who can win quicker, create separation, and threaten defenses vertically. Last year’s passing game often lacked a true vertical threat beyond Pearsall, which forced cornerbacks to drop eyes and play more conservatively on routes designed to move the ball downfield.
The team’s “swirl” routes were largely sidelined because there wasn’t a consistent vertical answer. With Pearsall drawing attention, defenses could respect the threat and play more aggressively against intermediate routes. Cowing’s addition could change that calculus entirely. He isn’t only a vertical threat; he has the speed to stretch the field and the acceleration to run away from defensive backs on deep crossing routes. In OTAs, Cowing showed that he could gain a few steps on the opposition and be several yards ahead downfield. Even as a decoy, his presence has the potential to open up passing lanes for Purdy and the remainder of the receiving corps.
This dynamic would not only diversify the 49ers’ attack but also enhance Shanahan’s play-calling versatility. The possibility of pairing Cowing with Pearsall creates a two-pronged vertical and horizontal threat that opposing defenses must respect. If defenses choose to double Evans or bracket Kittle, Shanahan can counter by exploiting the mismatch created by Cowing and Pearsall on the perimeter and in the middle of the field. The resulting balance would give Purdy more options on a play-to-play basis, allowing the quarterback to target the best matchup rather than forcing a read into a crowded defense.
Critically, Cowing’s ability to run deep routes and crossers would complement Shanahan’s preference for a timing-based passing game designed to maximize yards after catch and create space for big plays. This combination of speed, route-running precision, and the threat of multiple vertical options could unlock a more explosive offense than the 49ers have had in recent seasons. If Cowing translates OTAs performance into regular-season production, the 49ers could lean into a versatile passing attack that keeps defenses off balance and opens lanes for McCaffrey, Kittle, Evans, Pearsall, and the rest of the playmakers.
In sum, the vision for 2026 hinges on how Shanahan leverages talent and creates matchup problems for defenses week after week. With Evans commanding double coverage, Kittle stretching the middle, McCaffrey forcing a defensive multipronged approach, and Pearsall plus Cowing providing credible vertical and horizontal threats, the 49ers’ offense could reach historic levels. The potential is there for a record-breaking year, one that would cement Shanahan’s reputation as one of the premier play-callers in the league and demonstrate the transformative impact of adding a dynamic playmaker like Cowing to a high-powered system.