SANTA CLARA — Happy New Fiscal Year? The NFL’s business calendar flipped Wednesday at 1 p.m., and 49ers Faithful can be forgiven if they’re still looking for anyone new and worthwhile to smooch.
This week’s earlier roster revisions saw fan favorites take their careers elsewhere, most during free agency’s negotiating window the past two days.
Among the deals that couldn’t be ratified until Wednesday’s start of the NFL year was the 49ers’ trade of Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick, as agreed to on March 1.
The 49ers confirmed Samuel’s deal as well as the release of defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins, after the 49ers already terminated the contracts of fullback Kyle Juszczyk and defensive end Leonard Floyd.
Both Hargrave and Collins secured two-year deals within 10 minutes of their release, which both came with post-June 1 designations for salary cap purposes. Hargrave, according to multiple reports, promptly hooked up with the Minnesota Vikings on a $30 million deal with $19 million guaranteed. Collins’ two-year, $20 million pact is with the Cleveland Browns, with $13 million guaranteed.
Samuel’s dual-threat spot on the 49ers’ offense will be tricky to replace, but among the 49ers’ modest acquisitions in recent days was their acquisition of wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who could be facing NFL discipline because of a misdemeanor DUI charge related to his Nov. 25 arrest in Los Angeles.
Six other acquisitions were known before Wednesday’s start of the league year, the most recent being cornerback Tre Brown’s arrival from Seattle. Brown started 13 of 39 games he played while battling injuries in four seasons.
Others arrivals were tight end Luke Farrell (Jaguars), linebacker Luke Gifford (Titans), and safeties Jason Pinnock (Giants) and Richie Grant (Falcons).
One player not arriving is defensive end Joey Bosa, who agreed to join the Buffalo Bills (one year, $12.6 million) rather than join his younger brother Nick on the 49ers.
The flurry of 49ers’ departures pits them with $86 million in dead cap money for 2025 and $21.5 million in 2026, according to The Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.
Here are the names you need to know amid the 49ers’ turnover:
DEPARTURES
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (Commanders)
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Broncos)
Cornerback Charvarius Ward (Colts)
Left guard Aaron Banks (Packers)
Safety Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos)
Defensive end Leonard Floyd (Falcons)
Quarterback Josh Dobbs (Patriots)
Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (Chiefs)
Running back Elijah Mitchell (Chiefs)
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Vikings)
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (Browns)
RELEASED
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk
*ADDITIONS
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (Rams)
Tight end Luke Farrell (Jaguars)
Linebacker Luke Gifford (Titans)
Safety Jason Pinnock (Giants)
Safety Richie Grant (Falcons)
Cornerback Tre Brown (Seahawks)
*The 49ers have not officially confirmed these acquisitions, but a league source has confirmed these verbal commitments.
RE-SIGNED
Guard Ben Bartch
Running back Patrick Taylor Jr.
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens
Linebacker Curtis Robinson (not official yet)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Quarterback Brandon Allen
Wide receiver Chris Conley
Tight end Eric Saubert
Defensive tackle Khalil Davis
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Safety Tashaun Gipson
Cornerback Isaac Yiadom
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin
Cornerback Nick McCloud
Punter Pat O’Donnell
Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (retired)
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Running back Jordan Mason (tendered at $5.4 million)