Reviewing every move from Monday that the 49ers made in free agency
Day one of the legal tampering period has passed, and a flurry of new contracts has been handed out to free agents. With the latest free agent signings, the teams’ needs for next month’s NFL draft have become clear.
After 24 hours, the San Francisco 49ers re-signed defensive tackle Kevin Givens and signed former Jacksonville Jaguar Luke Ferrell as the primary blocking tight end. Neither move is sexy, but both are indicative of the 49ers’ philosophy this offseason.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, John Lynch made the bold statement that the team needed to get younger and reset its financial situation. Days later, Deebo Samuel was on his way to Washington. The dead cap number looks bad, but it is for a single season, and the 49ers are clear of the contract situation. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was set to be released, clearing even more salary in 2025.
The names departing from the 49ers in free agency are talented players with a market for other teams this offseason. However, the 49ers were set to depart with most, if not all, of the names that agreed to terms with other teams.
Charvarius Ward spoke candidly about needing a change of scenery following the tragedy his family had to endure in 2024. Even without the unfortunate circumstances, Ward was likely to depart with the 49ers addressing his potential loss by drafting Renardo Green. Ward signed a deal with the Indianapolis Colts to reunite with Samuel Womack III.
The 49ers were never going to pay market value for Aaron Banks, let alone the massive deal offered by the Green Bay Packers for his services. Given the track record under John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, guards don’t get the bag from this regime. Banks was expected to move on this offseason.
Former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga was expected to have a significant market, but given the emergence of Malik Mustapha, the team could part with his services at the price of his new contract. The team will miss his spark and attitude on defense, but again, the team braced for his potential departure. The Denver Broncos inked Hufanga to an already stellar defense.
Elijah Mitchell set the 49ers rookie rushing record but struggled to stay healthy during his time with the team. Isaac Guerendo was drafted last season, and the team will likely draft another running back in this draft. Adam Schefter reported the team placed a second-round tender on Jordan Mason early Tuesday morning. Kansas City signed Mitchell to bolster their backfield, but Mitchell wasn’t part of the team’s long-term plans.
The biggest surprise of all the departures has to go to Jaylon Moore signing with the Chiefs to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside. Moore filled in admirably for Trent Williams during his absence, but the Chiefs are betting on Moore to be their starter at left tackle with a small sample size.
Then there is Dre Greenlaw. Reports began with the 49ers looking to bring back the linebacker on a one-year, prove it deal to being in a bidding war for his services. Ultimately, Greenlaw followed Hufanga to Denver on a three-year deal. The move to the Broncos is a mild surprise. While the knock on Greenlaw is about his recovery from injury, the 49ers had to believe his market would be substantial as teams would look to reap the rewards of the linebacker’s skill set.
Kyle Juszczyk was released on Monday, leaving George Kittle as the longest-tenured 49er. However, the writing was on the wall for the fullback following an attempted pay cut during the previous offseason. Juszczyk’s release opens the 49ers offense to the next evolution of personnel groupings. Luke Farrell figures to fill Juice’s role in 2025.
Farrell’s signing is on brand for the 49ers as they continue to search for tight ends who are primary blockers since Charlie Woerner departed for Atlanta. Brock Wright slipped through the 49ers’ fingers last offseason as the Lions matched the 49ers’ offer sheet. Farrell’s presence could be viewed as a way to free up George Kittle in the receiving game.
Whichever way you slice it, today’s departures were all expected. The team has prepared for each loss with their previous draft classes. The frustration from 49ers fans comes from the lack of top-end additions such as Drew Dalman.
The message from the 49ers has been clear: steer clear from big contracts, build the team in the draft with young, cheap, impactful talent, and fill in the gaps with second and third-wave (Joey Bosa? Jonathan Allen?) free-agent signings.
The upcoming draft is imperative for the 49ers to compete in the NFC in 2025. So far, the team is doing what they told everyone they would do. The results of the new philosophy are to be determined, but the plan is in motion.