Santa Clara, California (AP) The San Francisco 49ers’ free agency period was marked by more losses than additions.
While San Francisco reached terms with backup tight end Luke Farrell and brought back two reserve players on Monday, the Niners lost several significant contributors from a Super Bowl-winning club 13 months earlier.
San Francisco informed nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk that he will be released before the league year begins on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team had not made a statement. ESPN was the first to disclose the decision.
Juszczyk was one of the first players signed after coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over in 2017, and his versatility has helped him become an essential part of the offense ever since. The 33-year-old Juszczyk was forced to accept a wage cut last season and will now be available on the free market as San Francisco seeks to make its team younger and cheaper.
Juszczyk was set to earn $4.1 million this season. The release will result in a $3.6 million dead cap charge for the Niners.
Several other significant players agreed to free-agent deals on Monday. Denver has signed standout defenders Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, while Indianapolis has decided to sign outstanding cornerback Charvarius Ward. Backup tackle Jaylon Moore and running back Elijah Mitchell agreed to contracts with Kansas City, while backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs left for New England.
All of these arrangements were confirmed by people familiar with them, who spoke anonymously because they cannot be signed until Wednesday.
Aaron Banks, the team’s starting left guard, has reportedly signed to terms with Green Bay.
The Niners have also stated that they want to release defensive lineman Javon Hargrave later this week and will cut defensive tackle Maliek Collins if they cannot find a trade partner. San Francisco has also agreed to trade receiver Deebo Samuel to Washington, which will become official on Wednesday.
With the offseason trades, at least 25 of the 41 players who played at least 275 snaps in the 2023 regular season and playoffs will be off the San Francisco roster.
The 49ers did make one tiny acquisition on Monday. They agreed to a three-year deal with Farrell worth up to $20.25 million, with $11 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke anonymously because the agreement cannot be completed until Wednesday.
Farrell has only 36 catches in four seasons with Jacksonville, but he provides San Francisco with a reliable blocker and special teams player behind starter George Kittle. The Niners had been looking for a blocking tight end since losing Charlie Woerner to Atlanta in free agency last year.
The Niners also agreed to one-year deals with defensive tackle Kevin Givens and running back Patrick Taylor Jr.
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