2022 San Francisco 49ers season explained

Team:	San Francisco 49ers
Year:	2022
Record:	13–4
Division Place:	1st NFC West
Coach:	Kyle Shanahan
General Manager:	John Lynch
Owner:	Jed York
Stadium:	Levi's Stadium
Playoffs:	Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Seahawks) 41–23 Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Cowboys) 19–12 Lost NFC Championship (at Eagles) 7–31
Shortnavlink:	49ers seasons

The 2022 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 73rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 77th overall, and their sixth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.

After having an underwhelming start, with notable season-ending injuries,^[1] combined with a 3–4 start^[2] before the bye week, the 49ers won the rest of their games,^[3] improving on their 10–7 record from the previous year after a Week 16 win over the Washington Commanders.^[4] With a Week 15 win against the Seattle Seahawks, and with the Rams and Cardinals both being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, they won the NFC West for the first time since 2019 and clinched a playoff berth,^[5] also becoming the NFL's first team this season to win their division. The 49ers swept the NFC West for the first time since 1997,^[6] which included sweeping the Seahawks for the first time since 2011.^[7] With a 41–23 victory over the Seahawks in the Wild Card round,^[8] San Francisco completed a 3–0 sweep of all three games played against Seattle. The next week, the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19–12 in the Divisional round,^[9] defeating them in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The 49ers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 31–7 in the NFC Championship in which injuries to third-stringer Brock Purdy and fourth-stringer Josh Johnson during the game and first-stringer Trey Lance and second-stringer Jimmy Garoppolo previously in the season made the 49ers unable to stay competitive.^[10]

The season was highlighted by the emergence of rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, taken last in the 2022 NFL draft, who started after an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo (who himself replaced the injured Trey Lance) and went 5–0 as the starter to end the regular season before winning his first two playoff games. The 49ers were well-balanced and dominant on both sides of the ball during the season. On offense, they finished 5th in total offense with 365 yards per game and 6th in scoring, averaging 26.5 points a game, while also finishing first in the league in plus/minus differential with a +173. On defense, they were even more dominant, as they finished first in the league in both total defense and defensive scoring (306 yards per game and 16.3 points per game respectively). They also finished first in the league in turnover differential with a +13, which included 20 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.^[11]

Jordan Matthews missed the 2022 season after tearing his ACL in practice.

Offseason

Roster changes

Free agency

The 49ers entered free agency with the following:^[12]

Position	Player	Free agency tag	Date Signed	2022 Team	Notes
		UFA	March 17, 2022		Signed three-year contract^[13]
		UFA	May 2, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[14]
		UFA	March 14, 2022		Signed three-year contract^[15]
		UFA	March 17, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[16]
		UFA	March 23, 2022		Signed two-year contract^[17]
		UFA	March 29, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[18]
		UFA	March 28, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[19]
		UFA
		UFA	April 21, 2022		Signed one-year contract
		UFA	July 26, 2022		Signed two-year contract^[20]
		UFA	June 17, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[21]
		UFA
		UFA	March 17, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[22]
		UFA	March 23, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[23]
		UFA	March 10, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[24]
		UFA	March 30, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[25]
		UFA	March 23, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[26]
		UFA	March 18, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[27]
		UFA	March 18, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[28]
		RFA	April 19, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[29]
		RFA	March 9, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[30]
		UFA	March 18, 2022		Signed one-year contract^[31]
		ERFA	March 11, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[32]
		ERFA	March 10, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract
		ERFA	April 19, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract
		UFA	March 25, 2022		Signed one-year-contract^[33]
		RFA	April 25, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract^[34]
		ERFA	March 10, 2022	San Francisco 49ers	Signed one-year contract
RFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent LEGEND Light green background indicates a player has been re-signed by the 49ers. Light red background indicates a player has departed the 49ers.

Signings

Position	Player	2021 Team	Date signed	Notes
			March 17, 2022	Signed two-year contract^[35]
				Signed three-year contract^[36]
			March 21, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[37]
			March 22, 2022	Signed two-year contract^[38]
				Signed three-year contract^[39]
			March 24, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[40]
			March 25, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[41]
			April 11, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[42]
				Signed one-year contract
			April 18, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[43]
			May 17, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[44]
			May 23, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[45]
			June 2, 2022	Signed one-day contract^[46]
			July 26, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[47]
	Tomasi Laulile		July 29, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[48]
			August 1, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[49]
			August 6, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[50]
			August 10, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[51]
			August 22, 2022	Signed one-year contract^[52]
		Cleveland Browns	August 31, 2022	claimed off waivers^[53]
				Signed one-year contract
				Signed one-year contract

Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's season.

Departures

Position	Player	Date	Notes
		May 23, 2022	Waived
		June 3, 2022	Retired
			Retired^[54]
		July 27, 2022	Released^[55]
	Taysir Mack	August 5, 2022	Waived^[56]
	Leon O'Neal Jr.	August 10, 2022	Waived
		August 15, 2022	Released^[57]
			Waived
	Tomasi Laulile
		August 16, 2022	Released^[58]
	Jeremiah Gemmel	August 23, 2022	Waived^[59]
			Released
		August 28, 2022	Waived^[60]
		August 29, 2022	Released^[61]
			Waived
		August 30, 2022	Released^[62]
	Tashaun Gipson
	Dontae Johnson
	Marcus Johnson
	Tyler Kroft
	Jordan Mills
	Willie Snead
	Akeem Spence
	Nate Sudfeld
	Kemoko Turay
	Malik Turner
	Jordan Willis
	Kevin Atkins		Waived
	Alex Barrett
	Tariq Castro-Fields
	Alfredo Gutiérrez
	JaMycal Hasty
	Tayler Hawkins
	Qwuantrezz Knight
	Tay Martin
	Marcelino McCrary-Ball
	Segun Olubi
	Jason Poe
	Justin Skule
	Keaton Sutherland
		August 31, 2022	Waived
		October 25, 2022	Released^[63]

Draft

See main article: 2022 NFL draft.

2022 San Francisco 49ers Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College	Notes
	29	Traded to the Miami Dolphins
2	61
3	93
	102	Traded to the Miami Dolphins			2020 Resolution JC-2A selection
	105				2020 Resolution JC-2A selection
4	134
5	172
6	187				From Broncos
	207	Traded to the New York Jets
	220				Compensatory pick
	221				Compensatory pick
7	250	Traded to the Denver Broncos
	262				Compensatory pick

Draft trades

2022 San Francisco 49ers undrafted free agents

Name	Position	College	Ref.
Kevin Atkins	TE	Fresno State	^[64]
Jeremiah Gemmel	FB	North Carolina
Tayler Hawkins	S	San Diego State
Qwuantrezz Knight	CB	UCLA
Taysir Mack	WR	Pittsburgh
Tay Martin		Oklahoma State
Jordan Mason	RB	Georgia Tech
Marcelino McCrary-Ball	LB	Indiana
Segun Olubi		San Diego State
Leon O'Neal Jr.	S	Texas A&M
Jason Poe	G, FB	Mercer
Sam Schlueter	OT	Minnesota
Garrett Walston	TE	North Carolina
Dohnovan West	C	Arizona State

Final roster

Team captains

• Nick Bosa (DE)
• Arik Armstead (DT)
• Fred Warner (MLB)
• Jimmie Ward (DB)
• George Kittle (TE)
• Trent Williams (T)

Preseason

Here are the 49ers preseason opponents and schedule.^[65]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1		Green Bay Packers	W 28–21	1–0	Levi's Stadium	Recap
2			W 17–7	2–0	U.S. Bank Stadium	Recap
3			L 0–17	2–1	NRG Stadium	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

On May 4, the NFL announced that the 49ers would play the Arizona Cardinals during Week 11 on at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, as part of the league's International Series. The game kicked off at 6:15 p.m. MST/5:15 p.m. PST, and was televised on ESPN, with the Cardinals serving as the home team.^[66]

The remainder of the 49ers' 2022 schedule was announced on May 12.^[67]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 11	at Chicago Bears	L 10–19	0–1	Soldier Field	Recap
2	September 18	Seattle Seahawks	W 27–7	1–1	Levi's Stadium	Recap
3	September 25	at Denver Broncos	L 10–11	1–2	Empower Field at Mile High	Recap
4		Los Angeles Rams	W 24–9	2–2	Levi's Stadium	Recap
5	October 9	at Carolina Panthers	W 37–15	3–2	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
6	October 16	at Atlanta Falcons	L 14–28	3–3	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Recap
7	October 23	Kansas City Chiefs	L 23–44	3–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
8	October 30	at Los Angeles Rams	W 31–14	4–4	SoFi Stadium	Recap
9	Bye
10	November 13	Los Angeles Chargers	W 22–16	5–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
11	November 21	at Arizona Cardinals	W 38–10	6–4		Recap
12	November 27	New Orleans Saints	W 13–0	7–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
13	December 4	Miami Dolphins	W 33–17	8–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
14	December 11	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 35–7	9–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
15		at Seattle Seahawks	W 21–13	10–4	Lumen Field	Recap
16		Washington Commanders	W 37–20	11–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
17	January 1, 2023	at Las Vegas Raiders	W 37–34	12–4	Allegiant Stadium	Recap
18	January 8, 2023	Arizona Cardinals	W 38–13	13–4	Levi's Stadium	Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 11: at Arizona Cardinals

NFL Mexico City games

Week 15: at Seattle Seahawks

This win over the divisional rival Seahawks officially clinched the NFC West for the 49ers.

Week 18: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Standings

Conference

Postseason

See also: 2022–23 NFL playoffs.

Schedule

Round	Date	Opponent (seed)	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
Wild Card		Seattle Seahawks (7)	W 41–23	1–0	Levi's Stadium	Recap
Divisional	January 22	Dallas Cowboys (5)	W 19–12	2–0	Levi's Stadium	Recap
NFC Championship	January 29	at Philadelphia Eagles (1)	L 7–31	2–1	Lincoln Financial Field	Recap

Game summaries

NFC Championship: at (1) Philadelphia Eagles

Statistics

Team

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank
Passing offense	3,856	226.8	13th
Rushing offense	2,360	138.8	8th
Total offense	6,216	365.6	5th
Passing defense	3,789	222.9	20th
Rushing defense	1,321	77.7	2nd
Total defense	5,110	300.6	1st

Individual

Category	Player	Total yards
Offense
Passing		2,437
Rushing		746
Receiving		1,015
Defense
Tackles (Solo)		82
Sacks		18.5
Interceptions		5

Statistics correct as of the end of the 2022 NFL season^{[68] [69]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2022 San Francisco 49ers Injuries. Pro-Football-Reference.com. December 12, 2023.
2. Web site: Patrick Mahomes' 3 TDs lead Chiefs past 49ers 44-23. ESPN.com. October 24, 2022. December 12, 2023.
3. Web site: Pallares . Lindsey . 49ers Clinch the No. 2 Seed in the NFC; 8 Takeaways from #AZvsSF. 49ers.com. January 8, 2023. December 12, 2023.
4. Web site: Dajani . Jordan . 49ers vs. Commanders score, takeaways: George Kittle's huge day powers San Francisco to eighth straight win. CBS Sports. December 24, 2022. December 12, 2023.
5. Web site: Henderson . Brady . Wagoner . Nick . Brock Purdy and the 49ers breeze past Seahawks to clinch NFC West. ESPN.com. December 15, 2022. December 12, 2023.
6. Web site: Pallares . Lindsey . Shanahan Breaks Down 49ers Wild Card Matchup vs. Seahawks. 49ers.com. January 9, 2023. December 12, 2023.
7. Web site: 49ers Sweep the Seahawks; Stats and Facts from #SFvsSEA. 49ers.com. December 16, 2022. December 12, 2023.
8. Web site: Sullivan . Tyler . 49ers vs. Seahawks score, takeaways: Brock Purdy makes playoff history, accounts for 4 TDs in rout of Seattle. CBS Sports. January 15, 2023. December 12, 2023.
9. Web site: San Francisco 49ers beat Dallas Cowboys 19-12 to set up NFC Championship meeting with Eagles in Philadelphia. SkySports.com. January 23, 2023. December 12, 2023.
10. Web site: 49ers vs. Eagles highlights: Philly dominated NFC Championship Game. FoxSports.com. January 29, 2023. December 12, 2023.
11. Web site: ESPN NFL stats . ESPN.
12. Web site: 49ers Free Agent. Spotrac. February 4, 2022.
13. Web site: Bell. Jack. OL Laken Tomlinson Signs with Jets. newyorkjets.com. March 17, 2022. March 17, 2022.
14. Web site: 49ers Re-Sign CB Jason Verrett to a One-Year Deal. 49ers.com. May 2, 2022. May 2, 2022.
15. Web site: DiLalla. Aric. Media report: Broncos agree to terms with DT D.J. Jones on three-year contract. denverbroncos.com. March 14, 2022. March 17, 2022.
16. Web site: DiLalla. Aric. Roster Moves: Dolphins sign RB Mostert. miamidolphins.com. March 17, 2022. March 18, 2022.
17. Web site: DiLalla. Aric. Broncos sign CB K'Waun Williams to two-year deal. denverbroncos.com. March 23, 2022. March 23, 2022.
18. Web site: 49ers Re-Sign RB Jeff Wilson Jr.. 49ers.com. March 29, 2022. March 29, 2022.
19. Web site: 49ers Re-Sign TE Ross Dwelley. 49ers.com. March 28, 2022. March 28, 2022.
20. Web site: Dolphins make roster moves. miamidolphins.com. July 26, 2022. July 27, 2022.
21. Web site: Spadaro. Dave. Eagles agree to terms with S Jaquiski Tartt. denverbroncos.com. June 17, 2022. June 18, 2022.
22. Web site: DiLalla. Aric. Broncos sign T Tom Compton to one-year deal. denverbroncos.com. March 17, 2022. March 18, 2022.
23. Web site: 49ers Re-Sign CB Dontae Johnson. 49ers.com. March 24, 2022. March 30, 2022.
24. Web site: 49ers Announce Series of Extensions, Reserve/Future Contract. 49ers.com. March 10, 2022. March 14, 2022.
25. Web site: Official: Key signs. jaguars.com. March 30, 2022. March 30, 2022.
26. Web site: 49ers Re-Sign DL Jordan Willis. 49ers.com. March 23, 2022. March 23, 2022.
27. Web site: Roster Moves: Dolphins sign WR Sherfield. miamidolphins.com. March 18, 2022. March 20, 2022.
28. Web site: Wyatt. Jim. Titans Agree to Terms With Former 49ers RB/Returner Trenton Cannon. Tennessee Titans. March 18, 2022. March 20, 2022.
29. Web site: Daniel Brunskill and Jauan Jennings Sign One-Year Tendered Contracts. 49ers.com. April 19, 2022. April 21, 2022.
30. Web site: 49ers Sign OL Jake Brendel to a One-Year Extension. 49ers.com. March 9, 2022. March 14, 2022.
31. Web site: Saints agree to terms with defensive tackle Kentavius Street. neworleanssaints.com. March 18, 2022. March 20, 2022.
32. Web site: 49ers Sign LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to a One-Year Extension. 49ers.com. March 11, 2022. March 14, 2022.
33. Web site: Giants reportedly agree to terms with WR Richie James. newyorkgiants.com. March 25, 2022. March 25, 2022.
34. Web site: 49ers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Bosa, Al-Shaair Signs One-Year Tender. 49ers.com. April 25, 2022. April 27, 2022. April 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220425235146/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-exercise-fifth-year-option-nick-bosa-azeez-al-shaair-signs-one-year-tender. dead.
35. Web site: 49ers Sign LB Oren Burks. 49ers.com. March 17, 2022. March 17, 2022.
36. Web site: 49ers Sign CB Charvarius Ward. 49ers.com. March 17, 2022. March 18, 2022. March 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320164128/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-cb-charvarius-ward. dead.
37. Web site: 49ers Sign DL Hassan Ridgeway. 49ers.com. March 21, 2022. March 21, 2022.
38. Web site: 49ers Sign WR Ray-Ray McCloud. 49ers.com. March 22, 2022. March 22, 2022.
39. Web site: 49ers Sign S George Odum. 49ers.com. March 22, 2022. March 22, 2022. March 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220322222212/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-s-george-odum. dead.
40. Web site: 49ers Sign DL Kerry Hyder Jr.. 49ers.com. March 25, 2022. March 25, 2022.
41. Web site: 49ers Sign CB Darqueze Dennard. 49ers.com. March 25, 2022. March 25, 2022.
42. Web site: 49ers Sign Two Wide Receivers to One-Year Deals . 49ers.com. April 11, 2022. April 11, 2022.
43. Web site: 49ers Sign DL Kemoko Turay. 49ers.com. April 18, 2022. April 19, 2022.
44. Web site: 49ers Sign TE Troy Fumagalli; Waive TE Garrett Walston. 49ers.com. May 17, 2022. May 17, 2022.
45. Web site: 49ers Sign TE Kroft; Waive DL Slayton. 49ers.com. May 23, 2022. May 23, 2022. May 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531005857/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-tight-end-tyler-kroft-waive-defensive-lineman-chris-slayton. dead.
46. Web site: Frank Gore Announces Retirement, To Be Inducted into 49ers HOF. 49ers.com. June 2, 2022. June 2, 2022.
47. Web site: 49ers Sign DL Robert Nkemdiche. 49ers.com. July 26, 2022. July 26, 2022.
48. Web site: 49ers Sign Defensive Lineman Tomasi Laulile. 49ers.com. July 29, 2022. August 15, 2022.
49. Web site: 49ers Sign DL Akeem Spence, Place DL Maurice Hurst on IR. 49ers.com. August 1, 2022. August 1, 2022.
50. Web site: 49ers Sign OL Mills and WR Snead IV to One-Year Deals. 49ers.com. August 6, 2022. August 6, 2022.
51. Web site: 49ers Sign Cornerback Crawley; Waive Safety O'Neal Jr.. 49ers.com. August 10, 2022. August 11, 2022.
52. Web site: 49ers Sign S Tashaun Gipson Sr.; Waive WR Austin Mack. 49ers.com. August 22, 2022. August 22, 2022.
53. Web site: 49ers Move Two to IR; Waive RB; Announce Practice Squad and Other Moves. 49ers.com. August 31, 2022. September 1, 2022.
54. Web site: Alex Mack Announces Retirement. 49ers.com. June 3, 2022. June 4, 2022. June 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608030834/https://www.49ers.com/news/alex-mack-announces-retirement-nfl-center-49ers-falcons. dead.
55. Web site: 49ers Release DL Dee Ford. 49ers.com. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022.
56. Web site: 49ers Waive WR Taysir Mack. 49ers.com. August 5, 2022. August 6, 2022. August 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818115552/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-waive-wide-receiver-taysir-mack. dead.
57. Web site: 49ers Release a Cornerback and Waive Three Players. 49ers.com. August 15, 2022. August 15, 2022.
58. Web site: 49ers Release DL Robert Nkemdiche. 49ers.com. August 16, 2022. August 16, 2022.
59. Web site: 49ers Place Verrett on PUP; Announce Four Other Roster Moves. 49ers.com. August 23, 2022. August 23, 2022. September 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930190912/https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-place-verrett-on-pup-announce-four-other-roster-moves. dead.
60. Web site: 49ers Waive CB Ka'dar Hollman. 49ers.com. August 28, 2022. August 29, 2022.
61. Web site: 49ers Release Cornerback; Waive Offensive Lineman. 49ers.com. August 29, 2022. August 29, 2022.
62. Web site: 49ers Announce 2022 Initial 53-Man Roster Ahead of NFL Deadline. 49ers.com. August 30, 2022. August 30, 2022.
63. Web site: 49ers Release Running Back Tevin Coleman. 49ers.com. October 25, 2022. October 27, 2022.
64. News: 49ers Sign 14 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents. 49ers.com. May 13, 2022.
65. Web site: It's Official! 49ers Reveal 2022 Season Schedule. May 12, 2022. May 12, 2022. 49ers.com. Briana. McDonald.
66. Web site: NFL ANNOUNCES OPPONENTS AND DATES FOR FIVE INTERNATIONAL GAMES IN 2022 . NFL Communications . May 4, 2022 . May 4, 2022.
67. Web site: 2022 NFL Schedule powered by AWS to be released on Thursday, May 12. NFL. April 21, 2022. April 21, 2022.
68. Web site: 2022 NFL Team Total Statistics . . 8 January 2023.
69. Web site: 49ers Stats . . 8 January 2022.