During the first three weeks of NFL free agency, the San Francisco 49ers have signed nine free agents as they gear up for the 2025 season. San Francisco also re-signed five players from last year’s squad, including Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszcyzk, who was briefly released in the first week of free agency.
At the same time, the 49ers have seen countless players leave the organization this offseason, which puts on the front office to hit on their draft picks next month and re-sign ERFAs, who could provide some depth on the 53-man roster.
On Wednesday, the 49ers announced that they re-signed exclusive rights free agent defensive end Sam Okuayinonu to a one-year exclusive rights tendered contract.
The San Francisco 49ers today announced that DL Sam Okuayinonu has signed his one-year exclusive rights tendered contract.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 26, 2025
For those unfamiliar with an ERFA, it's a player who has accrued two or fewer seasons and whose contract has expired. When a team tenders a respective ERFA, the player can only re-sign with that team.
The 26-year-old defensive lineman joined the 49ers toward the end of the 2023 regular season after being waived by the Tennessee Titans. The Titans signed Okauyinonu as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft.
The former Maryland Terrapin appeared in six games as a rookie with the Titans but none in 2023, as he was among the final cuts ahead of the roster deadline. The 49ers took a chance on the 6-foot-1 defensive end, signing him to the practice squad on January 10, 2024.
Okauyinonu appeared in 16 games and started in three this past season with San Francisco, playing 44% of defensive snaps (career-high). The former University of Maryland defensive end made the most of his opportunities, recording 35 combined tackles, seven quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble.
Okauyinonu’s PFF grades won’t wow you, but for a player who only appeared in six NFL games in 2022 as a rookie, he gives new 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh something to work with. The former UFDA had a 61.6 pass-rush grade (93rd among 211 EDGEs) but a 49.3 run-defense grade (174th).
Heading into this upcoming season, Okauyinonu will look to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster and, hopefully, a bigger role on the defensive line.