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With the San Francisco 49ers preparing for the Los Angeles Chargers in their preseason matchup on Thursday, the team’s outlook for the season is filled with high expectations, though they are in a tough division in the NFC West. As the 49ers prepare for the 2026 season, this NFL analyst would warn the football world not to sleep on the team, despite the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks being in the division.
Former player Marcus Spears would speak on “NFL Live” on Tuesday, focusing on San Francisco’s defense, now led by defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who comes to the franchise after being the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for two seasons. Spears would say that with players like Fred Warner, Osa Odighizuwa, and Nick Bosa coming back, it could be key in stopping productive offenses like Los Angeles and Seattle.
“When you think about Odighizuwa and Fred Warner coming back…But you think about Bosa and Odighizuwa and generating a pass rush. Last year, the 49ers did not get after the quarterback out of a four-man rush, I’m sure, like they would have liked to,” Spears said.
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“If you get into the playoffs and having to deal with, obviously, Matthew Stafford, having to deal with Seattle with Sam Darnold, you’re going to need to be able to generate pressure without bringing extra bodies, and that’s going to be a calling card,” Spears continued.
"The 49ers can never be slept on. … The issue for them is staying healthy."
—Marcus Spears on San Francisco's potential with a healthy roster 🏈 pic.twitter.com/SpajpHjqmX
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 18, 2026
Spears would end by saying that the 49ers should “never be slept on,” especially if the team, and specifically the defense, stays healthy. At any rate, it remains to be seen if that’ll be the case this season as Week 1 opens for them on Sept. 10 against the Rams.
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