San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors

Gross-Matos’ market was rather curious, as he has one season with more than 3.5 sacks; even that slate (2023) involved only 4.5. He could not stick as a Panthers starter, despite ample opportunity. That said, the fifth-year player was a No. 38 overall pick. The 49ers also have a history rejuvenating DEs through their Bosa-Kocurek setup. Arden Key, Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu scored nice contracts after showing promise in San Francisco, and Clelin Ferrell went from Raiders washout to a full-time starter for a Super Bowl team last season. This contract indicates the 49ers view Gross-Matos as a player who will follow this career path. The team ended up needing more DE help, with 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson — who has not justified his draft slot — out for the season.

A rare free agency decommitment occurred involving San Francisco’s defensive second level. Eric Kendricks initially agreed to join the team during the legal tampering period on a deal that would have positioned him to be Fred Warner‘s three-down sidekick while Dre Greenlaw recovers. But he ultimately decided to reunite with Mike Zimmer in Dallas, which needed LB help on a non-temporary basis. This became Campbell’s gain, as he will attempt to bounce back from becoming a Packers cap casualty.

Now 31, Campbell completed a rebound in Green Bay. He went from Cardinals one-and-done to Packers first-team All-Pro, securing a five-year, $50MM Green Bay deal in 2022. While it never looked like Campbell would play out that lengthy contract, the Packers bailed after two seasons. The former Falcons draftee — selected during Kyle Shanahan‘s time in Atlanta — was a full-time player for the Packers; PFF slotted Campbell 47th among off-ball LBs last season. If Greenlaw’s rehab finishes accordingly, Campbell will shift from a three-down performer to a part-time player this season.

A wide-ranging competition ensued for the 49ers’ No. 3 cornerback gig, but Yiadom enters Week 1 in the role alongside Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. Because Lenoir can shift into the slot in sub packages, the 49ers could search for a boundary corner rather than a true nickel like Isaiah Oliver. The 49ers benched the slot cog last season, a year that featured Yiadom go from journeyman to intriguing Saints piece. Yiadom, 28, allowed merely a 48.9% completion percentage as the closest defender in 2023. Already on team No. 6, Yiadom appears a stopgap while second-rounder Renardo Green develops. The former Broncos third-rounder still appears an interesting piece for a 49ers team that has struggled at this CB3 spot since K’Waun Williams‘ 2022 exit.

Talanoa Hufanga is not expected to play against the Jets, but the All-Pro safety is nearing a debut after returning to practice. The 49ers kept the fourth-year defender off the reserve/PUP list, making a September return likely. Hufanga suffered an ACL tear on Thanksgiving last season. This timetable prompted a reinforcement strategy.

The 49ers added Walker, a 43-game Lions starter, as an insurance option. The team will keep 2023 third-rounder Ji’Ayir Brown as a starter when Hufanga returns, but fourth-round rookie Malik Mustapha and veteran special-teamer George Odum join Walker as back-line options while Hufanga is down. San Francisco made an offer to Julian Blackmon, considered another Tashaun Gipson deal (before his PED suspension surfaced) and talked with Jamal Adams. Walker, however, ended up as the Hufanga safety net.

Re-signings:

• Jon Feliciano, G. One year, $2.75MM ($2.15MM guaranteed)
• Brandon Allen, QB. One year, $2MM ($700K guaranteed)
• Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, LB. One year, $1.94MM ($1.94MM guaranteed)
• Chris Conley, WR. One year, $1.55MM ($460K guaranteed)
• Ben Bartch, OL. One year, $1.13MM

Although a mid-offseason report tabbed Dobbs as being ahead of Allen for the 49ers’ QB2 gig, the nomadic arm could not stick the landing. Allen will move up from the third-string slot to replace Sam Darnold. The 49ers, who added Allen while Purdy and Trey Lance were recovering from injuries last May, are certainly more vulnerable to a Purdy injury compared to 2023.

Allen’s year in Shanahan’s system notwithstanding, he is a career 56.7% passer (6.1 yards per attempt) who has not made a start since 2021. Allen is 2-7 as a starter, Dobbs 3-11. This is not exactly abnormal, as teams’ fortunes worsen when backup quarterbacks enter the equation. But Darnold offered a more promising QB2 option. While the Rams brought in Purdy predecessor Jimmy Garoppolo (for $3.12MM) and Chiefs added Carson Wentz during this year’s backup carousel, the 49ers merely promoted from within.

Feliciano gave the 49ers a solid return on investment last season, moving from sixth man to replace the struggling Spencer Burford. The 10th-year veteran is back despite the 49ers talking with former starter-turned-Jets cap casualty Laken Tomlinson. While PFF rated Burford as the NFL’s second-worst guard regular last season, Feliciano — on the strength of his run blocking — graded as a top-five option. While the interior O-line vet’s market obviously suggested teams viewed him nowhere near the top five at the position, the 49ers retained important depth with this re-signing.

It will be interesting to see how the team uses him once he comes off IR. Feliciano, who has said he will retire after his age-32 season this year, recently underwent knee surgery.

Notable losses:

• Arik Armstead, DT (post-June 1 cut)
• Sam Darnold, QB
• Ross Dwelley, TE
• Clelin Ferrell, DE
• Tashaun Gipson, S
• Danny Gray, WR (waived)
• Randy Gregory, DE
• Cameron Latu, TE (waived)
• Isaiah Oliver, CB (released)
• Matt Pryor, OL
• Logan Ryan, DB (retired)
• Charlie Woerner, TE
• Chase Young, DE

Making a seminal decision to re-sign Armstead at a cheaper rate (five years, $85MM) and trade DeForest Buckner in March 2020, the 49ers saw the older of the two Trent Baalke-era first-rounders become Bosa’s lead sidekick during their stellar 2020s run. Armstead shook the injury trouble of his early years — for a while, at least — and been one of the game’s best interior pass rushers.

Armstead, 31, confirmed he received a steep pay-cut offer to stay. The 49ers wanted to slash Armstead’s salary to $6MM. Confirming he felt “extremely disrespected” by San Francisco’s offer, Armstead passed and reunited with Baalke in Jacksonville. The nine-year 49er was proven right about his value, as a few teams — including DeMeco Ryans‘ Texans — pursued him and a $28MM full guarantee emerged. This was an impressive free agency showing from Armstead, who battled extensive injury trouble — the most recent leading to offseason knee surgery — over the past two seasons.

The 49ers had shown interest in retaining Young, but the former No. 2 overall pick ended up in New Orleans. Young, who cost the 49ers a third-round pick at the deadline, then underwent neck surgery for a problem that impacted his 2023 trade value. Per-game roster bonuses comprise a chunk of Young’s Saints contract. Ferrell, who played in front of Young despite the latter’s pedigree, signed a one-year, $3.75MM Commanders deal. Gregory signed a one-year Buccaneers deal but never reported. The 49ers’ first DE trade pickup last year has since retired.

Draft:

• Round 1, No. 31: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 64 (from Chiefs): Renardo Green (CB, Florida State) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 86 (from Eagles through Texans and Eagles): Dominick Puni (OL, Kansas) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 124 (from Cowboys): Malik Mustapha (S, Wake Forest) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 129 (from Lions through Vikings and Jets): Isaac Guerendo (RB, Louisville) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 135: Jacob Cowing (WR, Arizona) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 215: Jarrett Kingston (G, USC) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 251: Tatum Bethune (LB, Florida State) (signed)

Deebo Samuel‘s status loomed over the 49ers’ draft. The team discussed its versatile wide receiver in trades over the draft’s first two days, with the Patriots, Steelers and Bills among the teams linked to the 2021 All-Pro. While John Lynch shut down Samuel and Aiyuk trades post-draft, he confirmed discussions commenced.

With Aiyuk now contracted through 2028, Samuel — who, at 28, is two years older — looms as a player who will come up in trade talks next year. Samuel’s three-year deal, which is more than $6MM south of Aiyuk’s AAV, expires after the 2025 season. The 49ers now have a long-term rookie contract set to complement Aiyuk.

The 49ers did well to identify Aiyuk in the 2020 first round out of Arizona State; they nabbed one of his former Sun Devils teammates this year. Pearsall did his best work after transferring to Florida. A five-year college receiver, Pearsall displayed good hands and impressed at the Senior Bowl. But he did not produce a 1,000-yard college season. He also missed much of the 49ers’ training camp due to injury. While the 6-foot-1 talent is part of a stacked depth chart, the 49ers soon needed to navigate a scary issue involving their potential Samuel heir apparent.

Pearsall suffered a gunshot wound to the chest while on his way to a signing event in San Francisco. A struggle for the gun took place, and both he and the suspect, a 17-year-old male, were shot. Pearsall, however, was released from the hospital soon after. He landed on San Francisco’s reserve/NFI list, which sidelines him for at least four games. This obviously impacts the parties’ plans for the receiver’s rookie year, but Pearsall may re-emerge on this year’s roster at some point.

Although a rumor pegged the 49ers as interested in Washington tackle Roger Rosengarten in Round 2, they traded down one spot and chose Green. A converted safety, Green led the ACC in passes defensed last season. The 49ers have trained the rookie in the slot and on the perimeter, as they have both Ward and Lenoir in contract years. Green profiles as a future starter in San Francisco, as it will be difficult for the team to extend both corners. Though, the club has expressed interest in extensions for both starters. This still might be an either/or situation, as the CBs join Hufanga and Greenlaw as contract-year starters on defense.

The team moved up eight spots for Puni, who has gone from Division II signee to Week 1 NFL starter. Puni, who began his career at Central Missouri before transferring to Kansas, won the 49ers’ starting right guard job out of camp. Mentioned first as a possible LG successor to contract-year blocker Aaron Banks, Puni will play opposite Banks after impressing during camp. Both Felciano and Buford battles injuries this summer, opening the door for the rookie.

RG instability has affected the 49ers over the past two years; they will hope Puni can solve the issue. Although the first-team All-Big 12 blocker spent six years in college, the COVID-19 pandemic nixing D-II’s 2020 season limited him to one game from 2020-21.

Trades:

• Acquired DT Maliek Collins from Texans for No. 232

Prior to Armstead making his free agency decision, one of his suitors made a deal with his former team. The Texans had given Collins three contracts in three years, including a two-year extension in 2023. The former Cowboys draftee had been a good find during GM Nick Caserio‘s early years in Houston, starting 46 games with the team. After signing his two-year, $23MM extension, Collins put together his best season — a five-sack campaign with 18 QB hits — and helped the Texans to an unlikely AFC South title. Collins, 29, becomes a cheaper Javon Hargrave complement compared to Armstead and is under contract — on a nonguaranteed salary — for the 2025 season as well.

Other:

• Fired Steve Wilks from DC post; promoted Nick Sorensen as replacement
• Added Brandon Staley as assistant head coach; offered Bill Belichick defensive staff position
• Inquired about Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich for DC position
• Saints hired pass-game coordinator Klint Kubiak as OC; Commanders hired RBs coach Anthony Lynn
• Hired Mick Lombardi as senior offensive assistant, Klay Kubiak as pass-game coordinator, K.J. Wright as quality control assistant
• Jed York became franchise’s principal owner
• Signed TE Brock Wright to three-year, $12MM offer sheet; Lions matched terms
• Placed LB Dre Greenlaw on reserve/PUP list, RB Elijah Mitchell on IR
• NFL stripped 49ers of 2025 fifth-round pick, moves 2024 fourth-round choice to bottom of round

Wilks’ defense (third in points, fourth in DVOA) did well against the Chiefs’ offense in Super Bowl LVIII for a while, holding the Patrick Mahomes-led unit to field goals — save for a drive that began in the 49ers’ red zone due to a punt-return mishap — until overtime. But Wilks’ highly ranked group struggled against the Packers and Lions, with the host nearly blowing both games, before folding late in the Super Bowl. San Francisco was down Hufanga and then Greenlaw against Kansas City, but Shanahan still made the DC a one-and-done.

Shanahan had considered promoting Sorensen in 2023. The rising staffer will bring some 49ers DNA back to the defense, having been with the team since 2022 and having been in Seattle for eight seasons. The former Pete Carroll defensive and special teams assistant coached the Seahawks’ secondary in the Legion of Boom’s final season together (2017).

Shanahan viewed Sorensen — a 10-year NFL vet — as needing a bit more time to develop, a la Ryans in his early years on the 49ers’ staff, but now has him running the defense. This will be a high-stakes debut for Sorensen, given the 49ers’ talent and recent past.

Ultimately elevating Sorensen, the 49ers had inquired about Spagnuolo — whose Chiefs defense has bested Shanahan’s unit twice in Super Bowls — and Ulbrich. The Jets made it clear their fourth-year DC was not available for a coordinator job, and the Chiefs soon extended their four-time Super Bowl-winning DC.

The Belichick overture did not appear to get too far, though the 24-year Patriots coach accepting Shanahan’s offer would have made for a fascinating partnership. The sides memorably collaborated on the much-discussed Jimmy Garoppolo trade in 2017. Belichick is out of the NFL for the fist time since 1974. He is planning to pursue another HC gig in 2025.

Joining Warner as one of the NFL’s top coverage linebackers, Greenlaw tearing an Achilles while jogging onto the field represents one of the unluckiest developments in Super Bowl history. Travis Kelce‘s strong finish was likely not a coincidence, and Sorensen will need to deal with — Campbell’s arrival notwithstanding — a void at linebacker while Greenlaw recovers. The 49ers had long been preparing to not have Greenlaw to open the season. Entering the second season of a two-year extension, the 27-year-old defender is a vital piece alongside Fred Warner. He must miss at least four games while on the PUP list.

Top 10 cap charges for 2024:

1. Trent Williams, LT: $21.84MM
2. Charvarius Ward, CB: $18.4MM
3. Nick Bosa, DE: $14.67MM
4. Fred Warner, LB: $12.65MM
5. Deebo Samuel, WR: $12.23MM
6. George Kittle, TE: $12.2MM
7. Dre Greenlaw, LB: $9.6MM
8. Javon Hargrave, DT: $9.27MM
9. Christian McCaffrey, RB: $6.68MM
10. Brandon Aiyuk, WR: $5.73MM

It does appear the 49ers are at a crossroads. The NFC’s best team, on the whole, over the past half-decade has continued to hit a wall. The 49ers and Andy Reid‘s Eagles are the only teams in the salary cap era to reach four conference championship games in a five-year span and not win a Super Bowl. With Purdy’s rookie-deal window closing, the 49ers face tremendous pressure to kick the door down this season.

Overcoming the Trey Lance debacle and remaining on the Super Bowl tier reflects well on this regime’s roster-building acumen, so the 49ers should not be viewed as a team with a closing window just because their seventh-round QB contract is unlikely to be part of next season’s calculous. But the stakes are obviously high for a veteran-laden team with a dominant skill-position armada and a host of contract-year defenders.

After Shanahan turned a Mr. Irrelevant into an ascending triggerman, the 49ers’ effort to parlay this luxury into a championship — especially after the Aiyuk and Williams standoffs — probably trails only the Chiefs’ threepeat bid among the 2024 season’s lead storylines.