The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for another promising season, and early projections suggest their path to success might be smoother than most. After benefiting from a last-place schedule in 2025—which helped them secure a 12-win season—the Niners are once again poised for a relatively easy ride in 2026, despite finishing third in their division.

Kyle Shanahan's squad posted an impressive double-digit win total last year, but what's even more intriguing is their projected win total for the upcoming season: 10.5 games. That's among the highest in the NFL, with only two teams boasting higher projections. According to Warren Sharp's analysis of strength of schedule based on projected win totals, the 49ers rank eighth-easiest heading into 2026.

Here's a look at the top 10 teams with the easiest schedules, according to Sharp:

Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs.

While we wait for the official NFL schedule release—expected sometime in mid-to-late May, as confirmed by NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North—we already know which teams the 49ers will face. And the early signs are encouraging for fans in the Bay Area. The Seattle Seahawks sit at 22nd in strength of schedule, while the Los Angeles Rams are 28th—both favorable positions for the Niners. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals face the most difficult projected schedule in the league.

Of course, as any seasoned football fan knows, what a team looks like on paper can change dramatically by the time the regular season kicks off. Just ask the Chicago Bears, who surprised everyone by winning the NFC North last year. But for now, the 49ers are in a prime position to make another strong playoff push—and that's something worth getting excited about.