The San Francisco 49ers open the 2022 NFL regular season at the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11 at Soldier Field.
After falling just short in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Niners return a loaded roster that once again has Super Bowl aspirations. Much of how this season goes will depend on whether second-year quarterback Trey Lance can produce in his first season as the starter.
That will also be shaped by a supporting cast that seems to have significant questions only on the offensive line and in the secondary. Once again, the Niners boast a deep group at defensive line, linebacker and running back, where some of their toughest decisions will be made.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Trey Lance, Nate Sudfeld
It's difficult to imagine a scenario in which Jimmy Garoppolo is on this team in 2022. The question now is how the divorce happens. San Francisco has said repeatedly it doesn't want to release him, which is easy to say when no deadlines are imminent. But his more than $24 million base salary would become guaranteed if he's on the roster Sept. 10, which means something has to give. Elsewhere, rookie Brock Purdy made a push for the backup job. The Niners could keep all three QBs, but Purdy should be able to get to the practice squad.
