The San Francisco 49ers have started off the season 2-0, winning close games on the road over the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.
In both games, the 49ers haven’t played the cleanest football, but have done just enough, especially at the end of games, to pull through with victories.
One area where they haven’t been the cleanest yet is the red zone, which was a problem for the team in 2024. Last year, the 49ers scored a touchdown on only 57.1 percent of their red zone trips, which was 14th
in the NFL.
This year? It’s the same figure at 57.1 percent (4 for 7 so far). That isn’t the best sign when paired with the team’s field goal woes to start the season.
Do the 49ers have a red zone problem once again? ESPN’s Nick Wagoner doesn’t believe so.
“Through two games, San Francisco has scored a touchdown on 57.1% of its trips to the red zone, tied for 17th in the NFL,” Wagoner wrote. “That’s exactly in line with the 57.1% the 49ers posted for all of last season, which ranked 14th.
“But there’s reason to believe that number will improve as the year goes on. While the 49ers can never count on being ‘fully’ healthy, they should get tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) back at some point to complement running back Christian McCaffrey. Having even two of those three should put San Francisco in position to convert more long drives into touchdowns as the season goes on.”
It’s been such a small sample size for the 49ers so far. But, let’s break down the numbers.
It all starts with being able to run the ball in the red zone, which the 49ers just haven’t effectively done this year. Two seasons ago, Christian McCaffrey led all players with attempts in the red zone (63), going for 193 yards and 13 touchdowns. While it wasn’t the most efficient red zone rushing attack in the NFL, it provided better opportunities on later downs, and the 49ers ultimately led the league with a 67.2 percent touchdown rate.
McCaffrey was also key as a receiver in the red zone, getting 16 targets, catching 12 of those for 61 yards and five touchdowns. He was especially effective inside the 10, catching six of eight passes for 32 yards and four scores.
This year, the receiving production has been there. In fact, McCaffrey is second in the NFL currently in red zone targets, catching four of five passes for 24 yards and a score. Inside the 10, he’s 2-for-2 with 13 yards and a touchdown.
But, the run game is where things have fizzled out. McCaffrey has the fourth-most rush attempts in the league (9), but has been largely ineffective with them, going for just five total yards. Inside the 10, he’s had three carries for -2 yards. Those first down runs have been killer for the 49ers, hurting their chances at touchdowns.
Brock Purdy hasn’t seen the success he’d like in the red zone. In 2023, Purdy was the most accurate quarterback with over 20 attempts, completing 70.3 percent of his throws in the red zone. He was 45/64 for 343 yards, 19 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Inside the 10, where it becomes even more difficult to pass, Purdy was still a very respectable 15/25 for 84 yards with 11 touchdowns.
In 2025, though? Purdy was just 4/9 for 21 yards (but with two touchdowns) in Week 1, as the 49ers offense was put in some tough positions with the run game inefficiency. There was some improvement with Mac Jones last week, who was 3/4 for 23 yards and two scores in the red zone as San Francisco converted both of their red zone opportunities.
But, San Francisco had two drives fizzle out just outside the 20-yard line, one due to a miscommunication between Mac Jones and Christian McCaffrey that led to a fumbled handoff, and another where the 49ers kicked on 4th & 2 at the New Orleans 28-yard line.
San Francisco should get better in the red zone, especially as they get more weapons back, such as George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, who both thrive in that area. But, they also need to run the ball much better in the red zone with Christian McCaffrey, especially with their volume on the ground.
