49ers Sign TE MyCole Pruitt
MyCole Pruitt has found his next gig. The veteran tight end is joining the 49ers, per National Sports Agency (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter).
The 49ers had been busy hunting for tight ends recently, and the signing of Pruitt would presumably take the team out of the running for veteran Delanie Walker, who auditioned for the team yesterday. In San Francisco, Ross Dwelley was the main backup behind George Kittle, with 2020 sixth-round Charlie Woerner and undrafted free agent Josh Pederson rounding out the depth chart. Pruitt has a good chance to supplant that trio of backups, especially when the team relies on the run.
After bouncing around the league a bit, Pruitt found a home in Tennessee in 2018. While the former fifth-rounder never put up big numbers during his stint with the Titans (20 receptions for 241 yards and one score), he had a consistent role as a blocking tight end, appearing in 42 games (15 starts) in three years. Pruitt also saw time in five playoff games for Tennessee, hauling in six receptions.
Since hitting free agency, Pruitt has also generated interest from the Ravens and Vikings.
49ers’ Weston Richburg Retires
As expected, Weston Richburg is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the 49ers formally announced that the center will retire from the NFL. 
“I consider myself extremely blessed to have played in this league and am so grateful for the experiences over the last seven years,” Richburg said in a statement issued by the Niners. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of this game and I’ve reached a point where my body won’t allow me to continue playing and competing at a high level. I was able to play some good football all over the country and was fortunate enough to finish my career with the greatest franchise in sports.
“From top to bottom, the 49ers organization is comprised of some of the best men, women and athletes I’ve ever been around. To be just a small part of an NFC Championship and Super Bowl run is something I will never forget.”
Richburg, still shy of his 30th birthday in June, missed all of 2020 with injuries, including a torn patellar tendon, and was set to undergo hip surgery earlier this offseason. The former Giants second-round pick last played in December 2019.
The 49ers gave Richburg a five-year, $47.5MM contract in 2018. He played in 28 games for SF, but he was slowed by a torn patellar tendon and ultimately shelved by a serious hip injury. Now, Richburg will cheer them on from home as newcomer Alex Mack mans the middle.
49ers Cut Josh Johnson
The 49ers have released quarterback Josh Johnson (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). In a related move, the Niners have added wide receiver Andy Jones to their 90-man offseason roster.
Johnson, who just turned 35, hooked on with the 49ers last November. Previous to that, he was last seen with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL. He could have been on an NFL roster sooner — the Lions offered him a contract, but the XFL stepped in and blocked it.
Over the years, Johnson has signed deals with 13 different teams. That includes multiple stints with the 49ers in 2012, 2014, and 2020. It remains to be seen whether Johnson will pursue another season in the league, but there’s always a market for experienced QBs like him.
Of course, Johnson’s odds of making the final cut weren’t all that great anyway. The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo installed as their starter with first-round pick Trey Lance waiting in the wings. That leaves Nick Mullens and Josh Rosen to compete for one — or perhaps zero — QB spots on the 53-man roster.
49ers Audition Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker could be set for another stint with the 49ers. On Wednesday, the free agent tight end will workout for head coach Kyle Shanahan & Co., according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). 
In August of last year, the Ravens and Patriots both expressed interest in Walker. However, he skipped the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave him an opportunity to get back to 100% health. That’s good news, because the final couple of seasons with the Titans were marred by injuries.
A late-bloomer, Walker never did a ton as a receiver during his first seven years in the NFL with the 49ers. Then, in 2013, he hooked on with the Titans and became one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL for a half decade, making three straight Pro Bowls from 2015-17.
An ankle injury limited him to only one game in 2018, and more ankle issues limited him to seven in 2019. In his last healthy season in 2017, he had 74 catches for 807 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll turn 37 in August, but he could be a solid supporting TE to star George Kittle.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/1/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: P Tyler Newsome
New York Jets
- Waived: DL Sharif Finch
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived/Injured: TE Daniel Helm
Jets Sign Ronald Blair
The Jets have defensive lineman Ronald Blair, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The deal will reunite Blair with old pal Robert Saleh, the former Niners defensive coordinator who now serves as the Jets’ head coach.
Blair ruptured his ACL midway through the 2019 season, which should have given him enough time to return for 2020. Unfortunately, something went wrong while Blair was on the operating table, leaving him sidelined for the entire year. Now, Blair seems to have recovered from his botched ACL surgery and he’ll have the summer to prove it.
Before all of that, the former 2016 fifth-round pick enjoyed a spot in the Saleh’s defensive rotation, compiling 13.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, and 22 tackles for loss across four seasons. Blair could help provide depth for the Jets at multiple spots up front, including the edge where they desperately need a lift over last season. On the plus side, the Jets’ rush should be in better shape thanks to Saleh and newcomers like ex-Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson.
Latest On Nick Bosa, Dee Ford
Nick Bosa was not currently among the 80-plus 49ers working at the team’s facility for OTAs last week, but Kyle Shanahan is keeping in contract with the recovering defensive end. Bosa is training in Florida this offseason.
The 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year suffered an ACL tear in Week 2 of last season. His rehab effort continues to unfold according to plan. The 49ers expect Bosa to be ready for training camp.
“I’ve been talking to Nick since February on this. He came out in February for a while to get checked up on his knee and stuff. With him coming off the ACL and everything, it’s going great,” Shanahan said, via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. “… He’s going to show up at some time during this (offseason), but he won’t be going out there doing anything coming off the ACL. But we fully expect him to be ready for training camp.”
One of numerous 49ers to go down with a significant injury last season, Bosa is the most important player on San Francisco’s defense. His arrival coincided with the 49ers going from 23rd to second in DVOA from 2018 to ’19, and the team will certainly count on him to spearhead a 2021 rebound effort.
While Dee Ford has not proven reliable since the 49ers traded for him two years ago, he remains with the team due to the guarantees on his contract. Ford has battled a litany of injuries since arriving in San Francisco; he missed five games in 2019 and 15 in 2020. A back malady sidelined Ford last year. Although Shanahan was not as emphatic about Ford being ready for camp, the fifth-year HC said (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, subscription required) the veteran defensive end has made strides and is headed in the right direction. Ford will not take part in on-field work until training camp.
Ford’s reworked contract makes him an unrealistic trade or cut candidate, so the 49ers are prepared to move forward with the injury-prone situational rusher. He, Bosa and Arik Armstead remain from the Super Bowl LIV pass-rushing crew. The latter duo will be expected to spearhead this season’s rush, with 2021 Ford contributions likely viewed as a bonus.
Seahawks Interested In Julio Jones
Add another team to the Julio Jones sweepstakes. This morning, we learned that the Rams and Titans have discussed a Jones trade with the Falcons, with Tennessee being viewed as the likeliest landing spot. But as Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter), the Seahawks have also talked trade with Atlanta. Russini adds that Seattle QB Russell Wilson and Jones have spoken about the possibility of playing together.
Earlier this year, Wilson was the subject of his own trade speculation, and one of the catalysts of those rumors was Wilson’s public dissatisfaction with his offensive line. The club acquired talented RG Gabe Jackson via trade but otherwise didn’t do a ton to supplement Wilson’s cadre of blockers. However, adding Jones to a WR corps that already includes D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett would probably make Wilson pretty happy, especially if new OC Shane Waldron implements a pass-heavy game plan.
Like several of Jones’ other suitors, the Seahawks do not possess a 2022 first-round choice. But most reporters are skeptical that the Falcons will actually get that type of value in a Jones trade, and it seems that a 2022 second-round pick is the more likely compensation. Seattle only had three selections in this year’s draft, which is reflective of the club’s willingness to move draft capital in exchange for proven talent, though if it were to deal its 2022 second-rounder, it would have to wait until Round 3 to pick its first collegiate player next year.
Plus, the ‘Hawks did select deep threat D’Wayne Eskridge in the second round of this year’s draft, and the team would need to create significant cap space to facilitate a Jones acquisition. So there are hurdles to be cleared if the Seahawks are serious about making a run at Jones, but it appears to be in the realm of possibility.
Meanwhile, reiterating his report from yesterday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com says the division-rival 49ers are still a team to keep an eye on, and that the Ravens would be willing to get involved if the price is right (Twitter link).
Falcons Setting High Price For Julio Jones; 49ers In Mix
Kyle Shanahan did not indicate a reunion with Julio Jones was off the table, and it now looks like the 49ers are involved in these sweepstakes.
The 49ers are the team coming up most regarding Jones around the league, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who indicated during a SportsCenter appearance San Francisco is in the mix for the seven-time Pro Bowler — to some degree. While the 49ers would not be able to match the reported offer of a first-round pick, they do have a strong roster equipped to contend in the NFC this season. A healthy Jones would certainly help the team do so.
[RELATED: Shanahan Discusses 49ers’ Potential Interest In Jones]
The Trey Lance trade stripped the 49ers of their 2022 and ’23 first-round picks, so building a competitive offer will be more challenging — if a first-round pick is indeed on the table for Jones. The Falcons are still holding out hope for a big offer, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noting the team’s asking price is viewed as “outlandish” in league circles as of Saturday. Four days remain until a Jones trade can realistically take place, and a few teams remain in this somewhat blurry picture.
Tennessee emerged as the first rumored landing spot, and Fowler adds Baltimore could join the fray if the asking price is right. The Ravens have been connected to a host of big-name receivers this offseason, and while a few of them declined free agency offers, Jones’ attitude regarding their run-heavy offense would not matter in a trade for a player with a no-trade clause. The Rams, despite their crowded receiver room, also popped up in Fowler’s report. Los Angeles and Baltimore have done plenty to add at receiver this year; each franchise used its first draft pick to address the position and each signed a veteran (DeSean Jackson and Sammy Watkins, respectively). The Rams are often in the mix for high-profile trade targets, but they would not seem a fit. They have Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp signed to lucrative long-term deals.
Conversely, the 49ers’ top two receivers — Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk — are on rookie contracts. San Francisco has avoided splashy receiver signings since their 2017 Pierre Garcon deal did not work out, but Shanahan did sign off on sending third- and fourth-round picks for Emmanuel Sanders in 2019. That trade made a difference in the 49ers reaching Super Bowl LIV. Jones, 32, enjoyed his most productive season — a 136-catch, 1,871-yard 2015 showing — during Shanahan’s two-year Atlanta OC stay and would be in a better position than most late-summer arrivals due to his experience in the well-regarded play-caller’s offense.
The Falcons are still asking interested teams to pay all of Jones’ $15.3MM 2021 salary — a tough sell for most, given the limited cap space around the league — and $2MM in 2022 guaranteed pay, Florio adds. Jones is due base salaries of $11.5MM in 2022 and ’23. The 49ers hold more than $17MM in cap space, which ranks in the top 10. The Patriots have come up as Jones suitors as well, but they may be cooling on this prospect.
49ers To Sign James Burgess
The 49ers are set to sign James Burgess (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). It’ll be a one-year deal for the former Packers and Jets linebacker. 
Burgess went undrafted out of Louisville in 2016 and didn’t see the field until 2017 with the Browns. But, when he arrived in Cleveland, he notched four sacks and wound up starting nine of his 14 games. He later moved on to the Jets, serving as their starting middle linebacker for ten games in 2019. That year, he notched 80 total tackles, one interception, three passes defensed, and eight tackles for loss.
His 2020 with the Packers was a little less noteworthy — he saw just four games before losing the year to a hamstring injury. Now, he’ll get a shot to stick with the Niners, who are also taking a look at ex-Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall. Marshall, 32 in September, was a key player for Denver’s 2015 Super Bowl squad, but he’s been slowed by injuries of his own in recent years. It’s not immediately clear whether Marshall is still in the mix for SF after the addition of Burgess.