Last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the San Francisco 49ers informed veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that they would release him on the first day of the new league year.
No one was surprised by this report as it was almost a given that the 49ers would be looking to part ways with the veteran after missing most of the 2024 season with a triceps injury. Also, the move to cut Hargrave would help the Niners financially.
However, it didn’t take Hargrave to find his next opportunity for the 2025 season. On Tuesday morning, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that the Minnesota Vikings are closing in on a deal with Hargrave.
Pelissero added that the Vikings plan to sign Hargrave after San Francisco officially releases him on Wednesday. The financials haven't been announced yet.
The 32-year-old Hargrave will look to show the Vikings and the Niners that he still has some juice left in the tank. The veteran defensive lineman joined the 49ers in Mar. 2023 on a huge four-year, $84 million coming off a Super Bowl appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.
Hargrave played well in his first year with the 49ers, recording 44 combined tackles, 14 QB hits, 14 quarterback pressures, and seven sacks. The veteran defender was named to the Pro Bowl for his performance and helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime.
The 49ers thought Hargrave was due for another good year in 2024, but the triceps injury ended that. San Francisco will look to replace Hargrave and Maliek Collins (whom they also released) either in free agency or the NFL draft.
Meanwhile, Hargrave is joining a Vikings’ defense that played well under defensive coordinator Brian Flores and is loaded across the line.