The NFL begins its annual garage sale Monday morning with teams able to reach contract agreements with agents in advance of the new league year, which begins two days later.
And make no mistake, that’s what it is. Fans and much of the media look at free agency as a chance to bring in some shiny new objects at inflated prices. In reality, it’s buyer beware.
An occasional front-line player will hit the market now and then, the important thing to remember is that free agents are on the market for a reason. Through the option of franchise tags and transition tags, very few NFL teams lose players they truly want to keep.
Cap cuts are mostly a myth. If a player wants to stay, and the team wants them to stay, a deal can be worked out and whatever cap issues that exist can be pushed forward with a few strokes of the pen.
Since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over in 2017, the 49ers have usually avoided the big-ticket items and this year probably won’t be much different. Here’s a look at the good, bad and ugly of 49ers free agents in the ShanaLynch era:
The good
Charvarius Ward, cornerback, 2022: Signed for three years and $42 million from Kansas City, Ward gave the 49ers two outstanding seasons. He was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2023 who led the NFL with 23 passes defensed. Beset by personal tragedy in 2024, Ward left in free agency after the 49ers committed to Deommodore Lenoir and his career in Indianapolis has been threatened by repeated concussions.
Kyle Juszczyk, fullback, 2017: Remains the 49ers fullback to this day with Shanahan one of the last holdouts who uses the position. Original deal when Juszczyk signed after playing in Baltimore was for four years, $21 million with $9.8 million guaranteed.
Richard Sherman, cornerback, 2018: Considered a volatile rival with Seattle, Sherman came to the 49ers after an Achilles tear and became “Uncle Sherm.” He still had some game too and was a big reason the 49ers went to the Super Bowl following the 2019 season. All for the bargain price of $27.3 million over three seasons with just $7 million guaranteed.
Mac Jones, quarterback, 2025: All he did was save the 49ers’ season and will be on hand to back up Brock Purdy again unless the 49ers get a trade offer that’s too good to refuse. Signed for two years and a maximum of $8.41 million.
Alex Mack, center, 2021: Cal product finished his career at age 36 with the 49ers and started 17 times for a playoff team. Signed for three years, played just one, with $5.6 million guaranteed.
The bad
Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle, 2023: Hargrave wasn’t a bad player, starting at tackle for a conference champion. But he was nowhere near worth the guaranteed $40 million he received in a four-year contract worth $84 million. The 49ers released him after a torn triceps derailed his second season. He signed with Minnesota and will be back on the market this year. The 49ers have stayed out of the big-ticket free agents ever since.
Weston Richburg, center, 2018: Started 28 games in two seasons but was injured and ineffective after signing as a free agent from the New York Giants. Retired after the 2019 season. Original contract called for $47.5 million over five years with $9 million guaranteed.
Jerick McKinnon, running back, 2020: Signed as a running and receiving back from Minnesota, McKinnon quickly tore his right ACL and was out the door in 2021 to Kansas City. Original deal was for four years, $30 million with $18 million guaranteed.
Kwon Alexander, linebacker, 2019: Sideline-to-sideline defender for Tampa Bay received $25.5 million guaranteed over four years but dealt with a torn pectoral, a biceps tear and a high ankle sprain and was pushed aside when Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw arrived.
Tevin Coleman, running back, 2019: Had a decent season in 2019, but played just eight games the following season. Did more in Atlanta when Shanahan was offensive coordinator there than with the 49ers when Shanahan was the head coach.
Luke Farrell, tight end, 2025: Got $11 million guaranteed as the 49ers biggest expenditure as an in-line tight end but failed to stand out either as a blocker or receiver in a season where George Kittle began the season on injured reserve.
Leonard Floyd, defensive end, 2024: Signed for two years, lasted just one as he struggled to go from a standup position to an edge rusher with his hand on the ground. Finished with 8 1/2 sacks but was part of the roster purge. Slight of build, he had problems setting an edge.
Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive end, 2024: Played in just 19 of 34 games since getting $12.4 million guaranteed due to a variety of injuries. Gross-Matos is entering the open market again.
Samson Ebukam, defensive end, 2021: Had 9 1/2 sacks in 32 games in 2021-22 seasons as part of the parade of ends the 49ers looked to for a second edge threat to go along with Nick Bosa. Received $12 million over two seasons.
Pierre Garcon, wide receiver, 2017: Shanahan had coached Garcon in Washington and wanted him as a tone-setter to implement a new system. He played 16 games over two seasons and scored one touchdown, receiving $20 million guaranteed.
Malcolm Smith, linebacker 2017: Former Seattle Super Bowl MVP signed after playing two seasons with the Raiders and had no discernible impact because of injuries, playing 12 games in five starts and receiving $11.5 million in guaranteed money.
The ugly
De’Vondre Campbell, linebacker, 2024: The 49ers signed former All-Pro Campbell after Eric Kendricks reneged on a free agent offer to step in for the injured Dre Greenlaw. Campbell was victimized in the passing game and when Greenlaw returned, he refused to enter a game, walked off the field and was escorted out by Lynch.
All contract figures from spotrac.com.
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