Former 49ers safety makes bold prediction about Kyle Shanahan’s offense in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers made a major effort this offseason to improve their wide receiver room. The biggest addition was veteran Mike Evans, who gives quarterback Brock Purdy a reliable boundary and red-zone target unlike any receiver he has had during his NFL career.

The 49ers' offense was already among the league's best in 2025, ranking seventh in total yards, 10th in points scored, and fifth in passing yards. However, one former NFL safety believes head coach Kyle Shanahan's unit could reach an even higher level in 2026, becoming the best in the league.

Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner shared his bold prediction during an appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, pointing to the number of elite playmakers San Francisco can deploy.

"You have an All-Pro to the left (Evans) that demands double coverage," Whitner said. "You have [TE] George Kittle—demands double coverage over the middle. You have to play the run with [RB] Christian McCaffrey, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He demands a linebacker, safety, or a corner on him.

"Then, you have [WR] Ricky Pearsall, who was the number three separator in the NFL last year. Who do you double? You can't double everybody."

For the 49ers, the biggest key to reaching their offensive potential in 2026 will be staying healthy. San Francisco battled through a significant number of injuries last season but still managed to earn a playoff berth. Despite the adversity, the team remained in contention for the NFC West title and home-field advantage heading into Week 18.

Whitner believes Shanahan is among the best in the business at deploying his offensive weapons and exploiting opposing defenses' weaknesses.

"And that's what Kyle Shanahan does better than any other coach," Whitner continued. "He figures out who the matchup problem is, and then he's going to figure out who your weakness is on defense, and he's going to attack you. So, I think this will be the number one offense in the NFL this year."

It's certainly a bold prediction, especially with the NFC West expected to be one of the NFL's most competitive divisions in 2026. However, if Shanahan can keep his offensive stars healthy, the 49ers have the talent to challenge the Super Bowl favorites, the Los Angeles Rams, and the defending-champion Seattle Seahawks.