SANTA CLARA –The corks pop on the NFL’s new fiscal year at 1 p.m. Wednesday, officially launching the 49ers’ procession toward Super Bowl LIX in 11 months.
What signings, departures and contract moves will make this calendar year different, enough so the 49ers ultimately win their first Lombardi Trophy in three decades?
At first blush, there is no blockbuster cap-crushing signing, nor is there a departure that can implode the lineup or locker room. Perception isn’t always what it seems in the NFL, however.
Day 2 of free agent negotiations saw the 49ers broker an agreement with defensive tackle Jordan Elliott on a two-year, $10 million deal, according to NFL Network. Monday’s opening action saw them make two-year deals for pass rushers Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.
Elliott could help fill the void created once the 49ers, as expected, release Armstead, a nine-year veteran who has spent the past four as a captain and their Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
Other areas must still be addressed – offensive line, cornerback, tight end, wide receiver – but that could come in the more budget-friendly wave of free agency, not to mention next month’s draft, in which the 49ers own 11 picks. Sam Darnold’s exit as Brock Purdy’s backup creates a quarterback conundrum down the road.
Here is how the 49ers are looking thus far:
ACQUISITIONS
Defensive end Leonard Floyd
Deal: Two years, $20 million
Analysis: He has started 120 games over eight seasons with three teams, so he’ll expect to slot in where Clelin Ferrell started all 17 games last season as the defensive end opposite Nick Bosa.
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Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos
Deal: Two years, $18 million
Analysis: His 32 starts with the Panthers (2020-23) could signal potential for a bigger role, should the 49ers save Floyd for pass-rushing situations. Drake Jackson and Robert Beal Jr. also will have a say in the defensive end rotation, as could February pickups Earnest Brown IV and Raymond Johnson III.
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Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott
Deal: Two years, $10 million
Analysis: A year after spending big on Javon Hargrave, the 49ers are hiring Elliott, a four-year veteran with the Browns and a starter the past two seasons. At 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, Elliott will be counted on to help shore up a run defense that proved too generous late last season. Whether he starts or not, he’ll be part of an eight-man rotation. Of his five career sacks, he had 2 1/2 last season, and he also blocked a field goal.
DEPARTURES
Quarterback Sam Darnold
Deal: Vikings (one year, $10 million)
Analysis: Brock Purdy’s successful comeback from elbow surgery kept Darnold on the sideline, aside from cameos due to Purdy’s shoulder stingers in December games, as well as the Week 18 start against the Rams. Darnold leaves to reprise his starting career, and the 49ers figure to promote Brandon Allen to the No. 2 role unless another veteran or a draft pick beats him to it.
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Defensive end Clelin Ferrell
Deal: Commanders (one year, salary TBA)
Analysis: The Raiders’ 2019 first-round bust earned the 49ers’ respect with his work ethic as a 17-game starter, but he lacked game-changing plays (3 ½ sacks, one fumble recovery) before a Week 18 knee injury kept him out of the playoffs. His edge-setting presence was missed, however, and served as a reminder that the 49ers need a better complement opposite Bosa going forward.
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Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw
Deal: Jets (one year, salary TBA)
Analysis: His leverage as a 6-foot-5 interior lineman was a constant battle, but he played every game last season to regain some credibility. Knee injuries sidelined the team’s 2020 top draft pick for 26 games in a 34-game stretch between 2020-2022.
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Tight end Charlie Woerner
Deal: Falcons (three years, $12 million)
Analysis: He emerged as George Kittle’s top understudy, using his blocking ability and special-teams prowess to carve a niche and ultimately earn a nice contract back home in his native Georgia. If the 49ers aren’t sure of 2023 draft picks Cam Latu (third round; Injured Reserve) and Brayden Willis (seventh round; 48 snaps), then they’ll need to re-invest at tight end.
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STAYING PUT
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings
Deal: Second round tender ($4.9 million)
Analysis: He is a restricted free agent who could still sign an offer sheet elsewhere, but the 49ers discouraged teams from doing that by placing a high sticker price on their third-down specialist and on-field enforcer.
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Quarterback Brandon Allen
Deal: One year (salary TBA)
Analysis: Darnold’s departure creates an opening for Allen to become Purdy’s immediate backup, after not playing a snap after last preseason. He’s 31 and went 2-7 as a starter with the Bengals and Broncos.
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Safety George Odum
Deal: Two years, $10 million
Analysis: Odum justifiably prides himself as an ace on special teams, where his 20 tackles over the past two years are the NFL’s second-most. He missed just five games before returning from triceps surgery for the playoffs. The 49ers’ units haven’t been great, but “All-Pro G.O.” is.
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Guard/center Ben Bartch
Deal: One year (salary TBA)
Analysis: Signed off the Jaguars’ practice squad at midseason, Bartch is an interior lineman who’ll compete for a backup role.
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49ers add pass rushers Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos; put tender on RFA Jennings
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UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Still unsigned or lacking a public agreement:
Defensive end Chase Young
Defensive end Randy Gregory
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens
Defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day
Linebacker Oren Burks
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Safety Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Defensive back Logan Ryan
Guard Jon Feliciano
Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud
Wide receiver Chris Conley
Tight end Ross Dwelley
Offensive tackle Matt Pryor