The 49ers officially announced the signing of tight end, not wide receiver, Jordan Matthews on Saturday. Matthews signed to the team on a one-year deal. The corresponding move to make room for Matthews was to release wide receiver, Bennie Fowler.
Matthews has had multiple stints in San Francisco and is a Kyle Shanahan favorite, but he’s never played tight end. MyCole Pruitt is out with an injury, so Matthews will take his spot during training camp.
George Kittle has supposedly been a big supporter of Matthews moving to tight end. At times, the two worked out this offseason, and Kittle has assisted Matthews with any questions that he’s had about playing the position. Matthews attended Kittle’s three-day “tight end U” camp.
Matthews had played the receiver position at 215 pounds but has added 20 pounds and is up to 235 pounds. We will see how that affects his athleticism and if Matthews can help the team.