The NFL’s Longest-Tenured GMs
The NFL’s 2025 HC carousel brought five new sideline leaders; this year’s GM market eventually featured four new hires. Two teams made quick-trigger decisions involving front office bosses this offseason.
Not long after the Raiders fired Antonio Pierce, they booted Tom Telesco — brought in to give the inexperienced HC a seasoned GM — after just one season. New minority owner Tom Brady, who certainly appears to have downplayed his Raiders role in a recent interview, wanted a fresh start. That meant firing Telesco despite the GM’s Brock Bowers draft choice last year. John Spytek, an ex-Brady Michigan teammate who was with the Buccaneers when the team signed the QB icon, replaced him. Formerly the Chargers’ front office boss, Telesco had entered every season in a GM chair since 2013.
Ran Carthon received two years in charge in Tennessee, but owner Amy Adams Strunk — a year after the surprise Mike Vrabel firing — moved on and arranged an interesting power structure this offseason. The Titans installed Chad Brinker, who had been one of Carthon’s two assistant GMs, as president of football operations. The ex-Carthon lieutenant holds final say over new hire Mike Borgonzi, who did run the Titans’ draft this year. Borgonzi, who interviewed for the Jets’ GM job as well, comes over after a lengthy Chiefs tenure.
The in-season Joe Douglas firing brought a Jets GM change for the first time in six years. As Woody Johnson overreach became a regular talking point in New York, the Jets started over with Darren Mougey. Johnson changed up his workflow upon hiring Mougey, however. Rather than the GM directly reporting to the owner (as Douglas had), both Mougey and Aaron Glenn will do so. Mougey, though, does control the roster.
Telesco’s January firing left Trent Baalke as the NFL’s lone second-chance GM. The Jaguars had kept Baalke despite firing Doug Pederson, but as the team’s coaching search brought significant concerns from candidates about the presence of the resilient GM, Shad Khan eventually made a change. This move came after top HC candidate Liam Coen initially turned down a second interview, doing so after Ben Johnson concerns about the situation circulated. Gladstone is now in place as the NFL’s youngest GM, at 34, coming over from the Rams.
This offseason also brought three GM extensions — for Jason Licht, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Omar Khan. Licht is heading into his 12th season at the helm. Adofo-Mensah joined Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell in being extended this offseason. Also a 2022 GM hire/promotion, Khan signed a Steelers extension this week.
Although Jerry Jones and Mike Brown have been in place longer, the Cowboys and Bengals’ owners hold de facto GM titles. Mickey Loomis is not only the longest-tenured pure GM in the NFL; the Saints boss trails only Hall of Famer Tex Schramm as the longest-tenured pure GM in NFL history. Hired four years before Sean Payton in New Orleans, Loomis heads into his 24th season at the controls. Loomis hired his third HC as a GM (Kellen Moore) in February.
Here is how long every GM has been in place across the NFL:
- Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys): April 18, 1989[1]
- Mike Brown (Cincinnati Bengals): August 5, 1991[2]
- Mickey Loomis (New Orleans Saints): May 14, 2002
- John Schneider (Seattle Seahawks): January 19, 2010; signed extension in 2021
- Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles): January 29, 2010[3]; signed extension in 2022
- Les Snead (Los Angeles Rams): February 10, 2012; signed extension in 2022
- Jason Licht (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): January 21, 2014; signed extension in 2025
- Chris Grier (Miami Dolphins): January 4, 2016[4]
- John Lynch (San Francisco 49ers): January 29, 2017; signed extension in 2023
- Chris Ballard (Indianapolis Colts): January 30, 2017; signed extension in 2021
- Brandon Beane (Buffalo Bills): May 9, 2017; signed extension in 2023
- Brett Veach (Kansas City Chiefs): July 11, 2017; signed extension in 2024
- Brian Gutekunst (Green Bay Packers): January 7, 2018; agreed to extension in 2022
- Eric DeCosta (Baltimore Ravens): January 7, 2019
- Andrew Berry (Cleveland Browns): January 27, 2020; signed extension in 2024
- Nick Caserio (Houston Texans): January 5, 2021
- George Paton (Denver Broncos): January 13, 2021
- Brad Holmes (Detroit Lions): January 14, 2021; agreed to extension in 2024
- Terry Fontenot (Atlanta Falcons): January 19, 2021
- Joe Schoen (New York Giants): January 21, 2022
- Ryan Poles (Chicago Bears): January 25, 2022
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Minnesota Vikings): January 26, 2022; signed extension in 2025
- Omar Khan (Pittsburgh Steelers): May 24, 2022; signed extension in 2025
- Monti Ossenfort (Arizona Cardinals): January 16, 2023
- Adam Peters (Washington Commanders): January 12, 2024
- Dan Morgan (Carolina Panthers): January 22, 2024
- Joe Hortiz (Los Angeles Chargers): January 29, 2024
- Eliot Wolf (New England Patriots): May 11, 2024
- Mike Borgonzi (Tennessee Titans): January 17, 2025
- John Spytek (Las Vegas Raiders): January 22, 2025
- Darren Mougey (New York Jets): January 24, 2025
- James Gladstone (Jacksonville Jaguars): February 21, 2025
Footnotes:
- Jones has been the Cowboys’ de facto general manager since former GM Tex Schramm resigned in April 1989.
- Brown has been the Bengals’ de facto GM since taking over as the team’s owner in August 1991.
- The Eagles bumped Roseman from the top decision-making post in 2015, giving Chip Kelly personnel power. Roseman was reinstated upon Kelly’s December 2015 firing.
- Although Grier was hired in 2016, he became the Dolphins’ top football exec on Dec. 31, 2018
Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Defense
The 2025 offseason has been defined in no small part by extensions amongst the league’s top edge rushers. A number of high-profile situations on that front remain unresolved at this point, which will make for interesting storylines over the coming weeks. Still, pass rushers once again account for some of the top cap charges around the NFL.
Just like on offense, here is a breakdown of the top 25 defensive cap hits in 2025:
- Maxx Crosby, DE (Raiders): $38.15MM
- T.J. Watt, OLB (Steelers): $30.42MM
- DeForest Buckner, DT (Colts): $26.6MM
- Daron Payne, DT (Commanders): $26.17MM
- Rashan Gary, OLB (Packers): $25.77MM
- Montez Sweat, DE (Bears): $25.09MM
- Denzel Ward, CB (Browns): $24.56MM
- Micah Parsons, DE (Cowboys): $24.01MM
- Derwin James, S (Chargers): $23.86MM
- Roquan Smith, LB (Ravens): $23.72MM
- Dexter Lawrence, DT (Giants): $23.64MM
- Chris Jones, DT (Chiefs): $23.6MM
- Jeffery Simmons, DT (Titans): $22.7MM
- L’Jarius Sneed, CB (Titans): $22.58MM
- Vita Vea, DT (Buccaneers): $22.47MM
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, S (Dolphins): $22.36MM
- Jonathan Greenard, DE (Vikings): $22.3MM
- Jessie Bates, S (Falcons): $22.25MM
- Myles Garrett, DE (Browns): $21.92MM)
- Quinnen Williams, DT (Jets): $21.59MM
- Jaylon Johnson, CB (Bears): $21MM
- Nick Bosa, DE (49ers): $20.43MM
- Kenny Clark, DT (Packers): $20.37MM
- Danielle Hunter, DE (Texans): $20.2MM
- Zach Allen, DE (Broncos): $19.8MM
Crosby briefly held the title of the league’s highest-paid pass rusher when his latest Raiders extension was signed. That $35.5MM-per-year pact was quickly overtaken in value, but it put to rest speculation about a potential trade. Now fully healthy, Crosby’s level of play in 2025 will be critical in determining Vegas’ success. 
Garrett currently leads the way in terms of AAV for edge rushers (and, in turn, all defensive players). He landed $40MM in annual compensation from the Browns in a deal which ended his long-running trade request. The four-time All-Pro sought a change of scenery to a Super Bowl contender but then altered his stance following communication with Cleveland’s front office. Garrett is now on the books through 2030.
Other notable pass rushers face an uncertain future beyond the coming campaign, by contrast. That includes Watt, who is not close to reaching an agreement on a third Steelers contract. The former Defensive Player of the Year is reported to be eyeing a pact which will again move him to the top of the pecking order for pass rushers. He thus finds himself in a similar situation to fellow 30-year-old All-Pro Trey Hendrickson with the Bengals.
While Hendrickson is believed to be aiming for a new deal similar in average annual value to those like Bosa and Hunter’s, Parsons could leapfrog Watt atop the pecking order by the time the season begins. Little (if any) progress has been made since Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reached a handshake agreement on the framework of a deal. Time remains for a pact to be finalized before training camp; failing that, the possibility of a hold-in will increase.
Recent years have seen a major spike in the valuation of interior defensive linemen capable of producing against the pass. It comes as no surprise, then, to see a multitude of D-tackles on the list. Buckner and Chris Jones are among the veterans with the longest track record of success in terms of sacks and pressures (along with disruptive play against the run, of course). Payne, Lawrence, Simmons and Williams were among the players who helped moved the position’s market upward with similar second contracts during the 2023 offseason.
Gary, Sweat and Greenard will again be counted on to lead the way in terms of pass rush production for their respective NFC North teams. Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota each have upside elsewhere on the depth chart, but expectations will remain high for those three based on their lucrative deals. The highly competitive division will no doubt come down to head-to-head games, and they will be influenced in large part by the performances of each defense.
The cornerback market reached $30MM per year this offseason thanks to Derek Stingley Jr.‘s Texans extension. Given the term remaining on his rookie pact, though, his cap charge for this season checks in at a much lower rate than that of teammates like Hunter or other top CBs. Ward and Jaylon Jones are on the books through 2027, and the same is true of Sneed. The high-priced Tennessee trade acquisition did not enjoy a healthy debut season with his new team in 2024, but he appears to be set for full participation in training camp. 
Safety and linebacker are among the positions which have witnessed slower growth than others recently. Still, a few top performers are attached to deals landing them on this list. Smith has been a first-team All-Pro performer during his tenure with the Ravens; he will be expected to remain one in 2025 and beyond. James and Bates will likewise be counted on as key playmakers in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Fitzpatrick will, interestingly, return to his original team after being part of the blockbuster Steelers-Dolphins trade from earlier this week.
Vea helped the Buccaneers rank fourth against the run last season while Clark and the Packers finished seventh in that regard. Both veterans have multiple years remaining on their deals, although in both cases the final season does not include guaranteed money. Vea and/or Clark could thus find themselves discussing an extension next offseason.
Allen is among the players listed who could have a new deal in hand before Week 1. The former Cardinal is coming off a career-best 8.5 sacks from the 2024 season. To no surprise, then, Allen is high on Denver’s list of extension priorities, and it will be interesting to see if the pending 2026 free agent works out a new pact prior to the start of the campaign.
The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches
By the end of the 2024 regular season, the Bears, Jets and Saints had already moved on from their head coaches. Those teams were joined by Cowboys, Jaguars, Raiders and Patriots in making a change on the sidelines. 
After their midseason terminations, Matt Eberflus, Robert Saleh and Dennis Allen each landed defensive coordinator gigs during the 2025 hiring cycle. The staffers who remained in place through the end of the campaign have yet to line up their next NFL opportunity, however. Mike McCarthy withdrew from the Saints’ search, setting the 61-year-old for at least one year out of coaching (just like the pause between his Packers and Cowboys stints).
Meanwhile, Doug Pederson was unable to parlay interest in an offensive coordinator position into a hire this spring. The former Super Bowl winner is thus set to be out of coaching for 2025. The same will also be true of Antonio Pierce and Jerod Mayo after their one-and-done stints as full-time head coaches did not go as planned.
While recent months have brought about the latest round of changes, many of the longest-tenured head coaches around the league remain in place. McCarthy was the only staffer within the top 10 on last year’s list in that regard who has been replaced. In all, nine head coaches hired at the beginning of this decade (or earlier) will carry on with their respective teams in 2025.
Six of those reside in the AFC, with Mike Tomlin – who became the league’s longest-tenured head coach last year in the wake of Bill Belichick’s Patriots departure – once again leading the way, albeit with questions about his future beyond this season present. The NFC will include Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur handling their familiar roles in 2025, although the latter (who has two years left on his deal) will not receive an early extension.
Here is a look at how the league’s head coaches shape up entering the 2025 campaign:
- Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers): January 27, 2007; extended through 2027
- John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens): January 19, 2008; extended through 2028
- Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs): January 4, 2013; extended through 2029
- Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills): January 11, 2017; extended through 2027
- Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams): January 12, 2017; extended through 2027
- Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers): February 6, 2017; extended through 2027
- Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers): January 8, 2019: extended through 2026
- Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals): February 4, 2019; extended through 2026
- Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns): January 13, 2020; signed extension in June 2024
- Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions): January 20, 2021; extended through 2027
- Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles): January 21, 2021; signed offseason extension
- Brian Daboll (New York Giants): January 28, 2022
- Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings): February 2, 2022; signed offseason extension
- Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins): February 6, 2022; extended through 2028
- Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): March 30, 2022; extended through 2028
- Sean Payton (Denver Broncos): January 31, 2023
- DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans): January 31, 2023
- Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts): February 14, 2023
- Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals): February 14, 2023
- Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans): January 22, 2024
- Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers): January 24, 2024
- Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers): January 25, 2024
- Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons): January 25, 2024
- Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks): January 31, 2024
- Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders): February 1, 2024
- Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots): January 12, 2025
- Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears): January 20, 2025
- Aaron Glenn (New York Jets): January 22, 2025
- Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars): January 23, 2025
- Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders): January 24, 2025
- Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys): January 24, 2025
- Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints): February 11, 2025
49ers, Packers Showed Interest In CB Damon Arnette
Damon Arnette returned to pro football this year with a season in the UFL, and his performance led to NFL interest. The former first-rounder wound up landing a contract with the Texans allowing him to compete for a roster spot during training camp. 
Arnette’s last action in the NFL came in 2021, his second year in the league. The 28-year-old was involved in a number of legal issues after his Raiders tenure came to an end, and stints with the Chiefs and Dolphins did not result in any playing time. A strong showing with the Houston Roughnecks put Arnette back on the NFL radar, however, leading to a Texans agreement being reached. They were not the only team to show interest in this case.
“It was a couple of teams that were reaching out on him,” UFL executive vice president Daryl Johnston told KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “He’s got everything you want… He’s a former first round draft pick, so the talent is there. It’s really the maturity.
“So, it was great to see the Houston Texans call, [head coach] DeMeco Ryans, because [general manager] John Lynch in San Francisco was another one that called about him. So you can see that he really fits that style of defense that DeMeco wants to install with the Texans coming from the San Francisco 49ers because those were probably the two busiest teams that were reaching out on Damon’s behalf.”
The 49ers have undergone a number of changes at the cornerback spot this offseason. Charvarius Ward, Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin and Nick McCloud have all departed in 2025. As a result, it comes as little surprise San Francisco checked in on a low-cost Arnette addition. The Ohio State product will look to carve out a depth role with Houston in the wake of Ronald Darby‘s recent retirement.
Wilson reports the Packers were also an Arnette suitor. Green Bay’s CB depth chart will of course no longer feature Jaire Alexander after efforts to work out a restructure were unsuccessful. The two-time Pro Bowler was released, ending his injury-plagued run with the Packers. Arnette would have represented a candidate for a backup gig, but the team will move forward with its in-house corners (a group including big-ticket free agent addition Nate Hobbs).
To no surprise, Arnette’s one-year Texans pact is worth the veteran minimum. If he manages to make the roster and enjoy a productive return to the NFL, though, he could once again find himself on the radar of multiple teams as a free agent next spring.
49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir Arrested
49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday, as detailed by NBC Bay Area. He was booked for obstruction of justice and has since been released. 
Los Angeles police stopped a group (including Lenoir) on Thursday and noticed a gun inside a parked car. When police requested the keys to the car, one of the suspects in the case threw them to Lenoir who kept them from the officers on scene. Lenoir then threw the keys to a third suspect, resulting in his arrest.
“We are aware of the matter involving Deommodore Lenoir and are in the process of gathering further information,” the 49ers said in a statement (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area).
The NFL has yet to issue a statement on the matter, which marks the first known off-the-field issue in Lenoir’s career. The 25-year-old has been with San Francisco for each of his four NFL seasons, establishing himself as a full-time starter in the secondary. Lenoir has totaled five interceptions and 19 pass deflections over the past two seasons, production which helped make him a priority for the 49ers regarding their young core.
The former fifth-rounder agreed to a five-year, $89.5MM extension in November, and as a result he is under contract through 2029. Lenoir will be expected to remain a key member of the 49ers’ defense – a unit which has undergone a number of changes recently – this season and beyond. His availability for the start of the season could now be in jeopardy depending on how this case plays out, though.
OL Jesse Davis Announces Retirement
Former Dolphins offensive lineman Jesse Davis announced his retirement from the NFL in an Instagram post (via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams).
Davis put together an impressive career for an undrafted player, appearing in 95 games with 72 starts across his seven NFL seasons. He logged multiple starts at every offensive line position except center in his career, though he primarily lined up at right guard and right tackle in Miami. That versatility allowed the Dolphins to move him around their offensive line as needed to weather injuries.
Davis played college football at the University of Idaho and was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. He did not make a regular-season roster until he signed with the Dolphins and emerged as a starter in 2017. He played a rotational role at the beginning of the season before taking over a starting job – first at left guard, then at right tackle – before settling in at right guard for the last six games of the season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Davis retained his starting gig into 2018 and started the entire season at left guard, earning a three-year, $15MM extension in September 2019. He started at both left and right tackle over the next two years before returning to right guard to finish the 2020 season. Davis moved around once again in 2021, starting 14 games at right tackle and two at left guard.
The Dolphins released Davis after the 2021 season, and he didn’t play another regular-season snap on offense for the rest of his career. He appeared in 14 games for the Steelers in 2022 and one for the 49ers in 2023 but only saw the field for special teams work. Davis retires with career earnings of $16.4MM, per OverTheCap.
NFC Staff Changes: 49ers, Buccaneers, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Vikings
The 49ers announced a flurry of staff changes this week, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, including the promotions of RJ Gillen and Brian Hampton to assistant general managers.
Gillien has been with the 49ers’ scouting department since 2015. He spent the last two years as the director of player personnel and will continue leading the team’s pro scouting operations.
Hampton started as a football operations intern in 2003 and rose through the ranks to become the director of football administration and analytics in 2010. He held that position for a decade before a promotion to vice president of football administration in 2020. Hampton is primarily focused on the 49ers’ roster construction and contract negotiations, particularly relating to the salary cap.
The 49ers also made three promotions in their scouting department – Jordan Fox to player personnel scout, Jason Kwon to pro scout, and Ryan Schutta to area scout – as well as two changes in football research and development. Shravan Ramamurthy was promoted to manager, while Benjamin Klein was hired as a performance analyst. The team also promoted Corry Rush to executive vice president of player personnel.
A number of other NFC teams also made staff changes in recent weeks:
- The Buccaneers hired Ty Shiflet and Griffin Moore as scouting assistants, per Greg Auman of The Athletic. Shiflet was formerly a personnel assistant at LSU, while Moore was a college tight end at Illinois and Texas State.
- The Eagles are planning to hire LSU director of player personnel Preston Tiffany, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. He previously held the same position at Ole Miss.
- The Falcons hired Ari Glazier as a junior football data analyst, per Inside The League’s Neil Stratton. Glazier worked with the Syracuse football team for the 2024 season while pursuing degrees in sports analytics and economics.
- The Giants promoted Justin Markus to from BLESTO scout to Midwest area scout, according to Stratton. Before joining the Giants, Markus was a video intern with the Jets and a recruiting analyst at Rice University.
- The Vikings promoted Michelle Mankoff from college and pro scouting analyst to college scout, per Stratton. She previously interned with the Bills and the XFL.
John Lynch: 49ers Not Seeking WR Addition
The rehab process for Brandon Aiyuk continues. As the 49ers’ top receiver recovers from an ACL tear, the wait is ongoing with respect to when he will be cleared to return. 
That could take place early in the 2025 season, but Aiyuk’s absence and the decision to trade away Deebo Samuel have left some wondering if further moves at the WR spot will be made this summer. At this point, though, general manager John Lynch does not plan on adding another pass-catcher.
[RELATED: 49ers Place Trent Taylor On IR]
In addition to Aiyuk, San Francisco has fifth-year veteran Jauan Jennings, 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall and free agent addition Demarcus Robinson on the depth chart. That group is in position to enter training camp next month without future competition as things stand. The 49ers have plenty of spending power, but a free agent or trade pursuit would come as a surprise based on Lynch’s stance.
“We always keep a look for what’s out there, but we do like our group,” Lynch said during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco (via David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone). “I think, first of all, you start with Jauan. Jauan had a tremendous season last year. He’s been a tremendous competitor, player for us since he’s been here… Ricky is a really ascending player we’re excited about. Just scratched the surface of who he could be. And Ricky’s going to play well for us this year. I’m confident in that.
“So, in total, there’s opportunity out there, and then we’ll have a gift when [Aiyuk] comes back, whenever that is. But these guys, we’re comfortable and confident in their ability to get the job done until that time.”
Jennings benefitted from injuries elsewhere on offense and posted a career-best statline (77-975-6) in 2024. Another strong showing this year would help the pending free agent’s market value considerably. Pearsall averaged 12.9 yards per catch in limited action as a rookie, but he could take a step forward in Year 2. The 24-year-old is dealing with a hamstring issue which cost him time during the spring, although a return by training camp is expected. An impressive showing when healthy would help confirm the 49ers’ plan of relying on their in-house options especially until Aiyuk is cleared.
49ers Notes: Farrell, Pinnock, Huff, Lenoir
While the 49ers managed to work out new deals for QB Brock Purdy, LB Fred Warner, and TE George Kittle well in advance of training camp, the club was forced to part with a number of other talented players over the past several months due to its cap constraints (exacerbated by the impending extension for Purdy). Similarly, San Francisco was unable to make any major splashes in free agency, and its biggest offseason commitment to external talent is the three-year, $15.75MM deal it authorized for blocking tight end Luke Farrell.
Farrell, a 2021 fifth-rounder who just played out his rookie contract with the Jaguars, has never recorded more than 155 receiving yards in a season. Still, Niners HC Kyle Shanahan’s offense asks its tight ends to do a great deal of blocking, so it is not terribly surprising that the team ponied up a notable pact for a player like Farrell.
Farrell suggests the Niners were easily the most generous of his prospective suitors.
“The Niners wanted to work fast,” Farrell said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “And they were far and away the best opportunity as far as what they were offering. So it was, at the end of the day, kind of a no-brainer.”
Farrell’s role may not be as extensive as it appeared when he signed his deal, as the 49ers reunited with fullback Kyle Juszczyk shortly after bringing Farrell aboard. Nonetheless, the former Jaguar should see considerable playing time, and the hope is that his presence will allow Kittle to spend less time blocking and more time running routes.
On the defensive side of the ball, rising second-year safety Malik Mustapha is unlikely to be on the field for the beginning of the 2025 campaign since he suffered a torn ACL in the Niner’s regular season finale in 2024. As such, free agent addition Jason Pinnock is a frontrunner to start at safety (perhaps alongside Ji’Ayir Brown), per Matt Barrows of The Athletic (subscription required).
Barrows describes Pinnock as the most physically impressive safety San Francisco has rostered in some time, and the former Jets draftee is familiar with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s system since Saleh was New York’s head coach when Pinnock entered the league in 2021. Pinnock was waived in advance of the 2022 season, but Saleh said that was not a reflection of the player’s abilities. Pinnock — who was claimed by the Giants after being waived and then spent the next three seasons with Big Blue — had just converted to safety from corner, and he was simply unable to beat out the Jets’ other safeties at the time.
“But I’ve always been a fan of his athleticism, his length, his football IQ,” Saleh said. “He’s a really good football player, and just being with him over the course of the first couple of months, he’s grown significantly from a maturity standpoint, and he’s attacked the heck out of it. He’s going for it.”
Another former Jet, Bryce Huff, recently came to the Bay Area by way of a trade with the Eagles. Though Huff did not live up to expectations after signing a lucrative contract with Philadelphia last March, the Niners will not be taking him out of his comfort zone.
While Eagles DC Vic Fangio’s scheme requires a fair amount of versatility from its edge defenders, Huff thrived as a rotational pass rusher as part of Saleh’s Jets defense in 2023. Despite appearing in just 42% of the team’s snaps that year, Huff posted 10 sacks and 21 quarterback hits, which helped create his robust free agent market last offseason. According to Barrows, San Francisco will deploy Huff as a dedicated third-down pass rush specialist, which is how the team utilized Dee Ford in his first season with the 49ers in 2019.
That usage will mean less snaps for rookie Mykel Williams. However, Barrows believes Williams can make up for that loss of reps with more looks as an interior pass rusher.
Like Purdy, Warner, and Kittle, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is a recent recipient of a healthy new contract, having landed a five-year, $92MM extension in November. The 2021 fifth-rounder (taken 27 picks after Farrell) has split time between boundary corner and nickel corner over the past two seasons, but he could be permitted to focus his efforts on the boundaries in 2025.
As Jerry McDonald of the Santa Cruz Sentinel writes, Lenoir primarily lined up outside the numbers during the practice reps that were open to the media this spring. If third-round rookie Upton Stout proves capable of manning the slot, Lenoir could continue to operate as an outside corner opposite 2024 second-rounder Renardo Green.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/13/25
Friday’s non-Bills rookie signing:
San Francisco 49ers
- DT CJ West (fourth round, Indiana)
West is the 10th member of the 49ers’ draft class to ink his four-year pact. Only second-rounder (and fellow defensive tackle) Alfred Collins is unsigned at this point.