SANTA CLARA — Like students signing yearbooks before summer break, 49ers fans typed a few questions for our first mailbag now that the offseason program is complete:

Did the mainstream media go off too early on the 49ers? A lot of people said they are cheap? (@santanspf)

In March, the 49ers got ripped as 20 free agents found jobs elsewhere. That was the Niners’ plan, to get younger and invest this year’s big bucks in extensions for Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Fred Warner. As Trent Williams said: “When you’ve got to pay some guys a fortune, some guys have to go. It’s just unfortunate.”

And new guys have to replace them. The roster is never a finished product.

Trading for pass rusher Bryce Huff showed the 49ers still see themselves as contenders. Heck, it’s already shaping up as the Let’s Make A Deal Year for the Bay Area (see: the Warriors’ trade for Jimmy Butler in February, and the Giants’ for Rafael Devers on Sunday).

What’s the overall mood? How does it compare to other years when they were favorites for the Super Bowl? (@things_and_stuff_and_junk)

These 49ers emote more cautious optimism and realism. Still some swagger. Less entitlement, less revenge-seeking boasts. Confidence? It’s definitely there among the veterans, who know they must quickly bond and help groom the tidal wave of newcomers. There isn’t a feeling that a “Super Bowl window” just closed. They’re just entering a new room with new, double-pane windows.

Besides the kickers, do you see a difference in special teams? (@tjones425)

New punter, new long snapper, new core veterans, and potentially new, young gunners. Will there be a new kicker? Some may say it’s Jake Moody’s job to lose, and this may be too into semantics, but I think he must win it over Greg Joseph. Moody has a new, two-step approach and all eyes were on him Tuesday as he made 6-of-7 field-goal attempts. It’s not a stress-free aura, and I’m not sure Kyle Shanahan wants to endure another season of that when he can instead defer to a journeyman veteran (or veterans).

Who is in line to start at safety since Brown and Mustapha (who I thought would be starting) are both coming off surgeries? (@BigBlockSports)

I anticipate Ji’Ayir Brown returning from ankle surgery in time to start the season. Mustaspha’s second ACL repair in as many years could keep up on the physically-unable-to-perform list at least the first month or two of the season. Look for the other opening-week starter to be Jason Pinnock, a former New York Giants starter who showed great range intercepting a Purdy long ball Tuesday. However, don’t rule out the 49ers from plugging in a veteran free agent at the last minute (see: Tashaun Gipson, 2022).

Is Jauan Jennings going to be asked to do different things in 2025, or are they just going to look his way more often? If he were WR1, is it a position change, or more of a target increase? (@goodbyeLMJ)

Jennings proved last season he’s capable of being a top-target wide receiver, falling 25 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark once the Arizona Cardinals got him unfairly ejected in the season finale. He’s had some monster outputs in recent seasons, and the 49ers could rely on more while Brandon Aiyuk (knee) gets up to full speed. Healthy versions of Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will diminish the need for Jennings and any other wide receiver, however.

Who do you think will be left in the WR room once the season begins? (@michael_budd)

The 49ers could start the season with Aiyuk on the PUP list and Demarcus Robinson suspended for last season’s arrest for an alleged DUI, leaving the receiving corps relatively thin. Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins should be locks, barring one of them gets hurt or traded. The next-best option? He might not be on the team yet. Otherwise, choose from (in my order) Isaiah Hodgin, Isaiah Neyor, Terique Owens, Malik Knowles, Russell Gage or Junior Bergen.

How did Mykel Williams look? (@knicks.07) Does Williams look ready or is he going to need coaching? (@matty_maff)

He worked on the side the past two weeks because of a minor hamstring issue. His true test comes once pads go on and he is toe-to-toe with Trent Williams in training camp. What struck me most beyond his NFL-prototype physique: He seems more receptive to advice than any rookie I can remember at practice, whether it came from his position coach (Kris Kocurek), his new mentor (Nick Bosa) or his new head trainer (Dustin Perry). Does he have a lot to learn? All rookies do.

How is the offensive line looking? (@robertdomenichini)

I’m a big believer in continuity, so the fact that Trent Williams returns is huge, and the 49ers have a workmanlike unit to his right, with Ben Bartch the only expected new starter at left guard. Every fan acts as if the 49ers should have five first-round draft picks protecting Purdy, when that is not feasible. College football isn’t pumping out a swarm of NFL-ready linemen.

Is Alfred Collins even signed yet? (@49ers_faithful49)

No, but most second-rounders are not. He missed the offseason practices because of a calf issue. Meanwhile, fellow defensive tackle C.J. West signed his four-year deal Friday.

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Do you think the Niners should make an effort to go get Jaire Alexander? (@jackjones3586)

Not unless Deommodore Lenoir or Renardo Green get hurt. Signing Alexander would run contrary to this offseason’s mission: invest in youth and avoid injury-prone veterans.

How did every player decide on their jersey number? Is there a story behind it? (@annakendick_)

It’s almost by default for newcomers, as in they get what is available. But then guys may change digits before the season or later in their tenure. Purdy went from No. 14 in rookie camp to No. 13 because the latter was worn by Dan Marino, whom Purdy (and his dad) idolized.

Honestly I don’t see any big problems like the rest of you all do. I see 2019 all over again. This time we have Mykel Williams instead of Nick Bosa being a rookie. Dee Winters is going to be Dre Greenlaw. Our secondary is back to being 2019. Niners will again win 13-14 games this year. (@loco521972)

We’ll keep this receipt.

The 49ers will win Super Bowl 60. (@kylelopez2273)

Thanks, Joe Namath. We’ll be sure to tell our bookie.