There was plenty of frustration to go around for Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers in their 2025 season opening win over their division rival Seattle Seahawks. With the only exception being the defense, which was outstanding in the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator.
Seattle started their season on offense. Quarterback Sam Darnold found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an 18 yard completion. Yet after a four-yard run by Kenneth Walker, a run by backup quarterback Jalen Milroe for a yard, and a completion to AJ Barner for no gain, and a delay of game, the 49ers defense forced a punt.
A holding penalty on the return backed San Francsico up to the five. That was no problem for Brock Purdy and the offense. As tight end George Kittle made his presence felt three catches on that drive with the last one being a touchdown. Ricky Pearsall also caught two passes for 39 yards.
Overall the drive lasted 14 plays, 95 yards, and lasted over eight minutes.
Yet Seattle responded with a drive of their own. Though a questionable pass interference on fourth down in the end zone was called on rookie cornerback Upton Stout. With or without countact, Darnold sailed the football over the head of his receiver. With the ball at the one, running back Zach Charbonnet took it in for the touchdown.
Neither team was able to get anything going offensively until late in the second quarter. The 49ers seemingly looked like the first drive with the football, yet questionable clock management by Kyle Shanahan led to a short field goal attempt for kicker Jake Moody, which was missed.
With a minute left, the Seahawks offense had plenty of time to get in field goal range, which is what happened. The key plays being a 22 yard completion to Smith-Njigba and a nine-yard run by Darnold.
At halftime the 49ers trailed 10-7. Around that time it was announced Kittle was out for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury.
To start the second half the 49ers offense was moving the football well until Purdy made his first mistake of the night. Instead of taking off with the football or electing to throw the football away, he threw off his back foot towards Jauan Jennings yet Ernest Jones IV easily intercepted it.
A three and out gave San Francisco the football right back. Once again the offense got to the red zone yet the drive stalled. Shanahan had earlier in the drive gone for it on fourth down, elected to have Moody try a 36-yard field goal. Seattle easily blocked the attempt.
That was a turning point for the 49ers. If the Seahawks drove down the field for points it seemed the game was over. Defensive tackle Sam Okuayinonu made at that moment the biggest play of the game by forcing Smith-Njigba to fumble and rookie safety Marques Sigle recovered.
Once again Purdy was able to move the offense down the field and get to the red zone. The 49ers quarterback was a tad late getting the football out to Pearsall who seemingly had an easy touchdown yet it got broken up instead. A false start penalty stalled the drive at the 13. Moody then came on and made the 32-yard field goal to tie the game up at 10.
The next offensive possession resulted in a loss of yardage and a three and out. Purdy then made an inexplicable mistake throwing deep to Pearsall who was double covered with two other defenders in the vicinity. Running back Brian Robinson Jr was wide open in the flat and seemingly had plenty of room to run with the football if he was thrown to.
Also, it felt like a reminder that Purdy in clutch situations has not exactly excelled in them. With the good field position it gave the Seahawks an excellent chance to get the go-ahead touchdown. On that drive Seattle took time off the clock and quite honestly the most interesting decision came when it was fourth and one.
Head coach Mike Macdonald elected to kick the field goal instead of going for it. Jason Meyers made the 37-yard field goal for the 13-10 lead.
After a minimal completion to Christian McCaffrey, Purdy found Pearsall deep for 45 yards. Now Shanahan was once again in a situation where time management was key. Two completions to tight end Jake Tonges got the 49ers a first down.
Wisely Seattle started to use their timeouts. With a minute and 44 seconds on a third and three from the four, Tonges came up with another catch and this time it was a touchdown. Moody came on and made the extra point to put San Francisco up 17-13 with a minute and 34 seconds left.
Smith-Njigba made up for his fumble with an 11 yard reception to start the drive off and two plays later he pulled in a 40 yard reception. This put the Seahawks at the 14 with plenty of time on the clock to score a touchdown. The 49ers were then penalized for being offsides, now there were only nine yards needed to win the game.
A run play with Walker resulted in no gain. Nick Bosa came up with a sack as Darnold was about to throw, forcing the football out, and he recovered the fumble sealing a win that redefines the word ugly.