The San Francisco 49ers oldheads are dealing in 2026.
San Francisco has scored 16 touchdowns through four games, and 15 of them have come from players 30 or older. That ties the 2002 Raiders for the most from players that age in the first four games of a season, per the Associated Press.
Three of those veterans found the end zone in Sunday's 24-14 win over the Broncos: receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle.
The receiving numbers are even more striking. The 49ers have 11 touchdown catches from players 30 or older through four games, the most in NFL history, according to CBS Sports. Kittle has four, Samuel has three, Mike Evans has two, and Demarcus Robinson and Kyle Juszczyk one apiece.
This was always
going to need to be the case if the 49ers wanted to succeed in 2026. San Francisco entered the season with the second-oldest roster in the league and the oldest offense in the NFL. They also started five non-quarterback skill position players age 30 or older in games this year, which only three other teams in the Super Bowl era have done: the 2004 Buccaneers (once), the 2003 Broncos (once) and Washington in 1992 (twice).
The key operator is Brock Purdy, who has thrown for 789 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception through four games, all of which the 49ers have won. He is driving an offense that is relying almost entirely on aging talent.
It's an odd strategy in a league that typically pushes for youth, but the 49ers don't have much else left as the rest of the team continues to battle injuries elsewhere. And so far, it's working well for them.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers older offensive players continue to carry the team
