The San Francisco 49ers have a big offseason ahead. Deebo Samuel has asked for a trade and his departure appears imminent. Brock Purdy and George Kittle are looking for extensions that will keep them by the bay for the foreseeable future. The roster needs to improve after a 7-10 season and the door is opened for a rebound year in a wide-open NFC West landscape.
With so much going on, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have a lot to do this offseason. But the first order of business was signing players to reserve/future contracts. These deals are reserved for players who finished the year on the practice squad and give them a leg up in finding a team during offseason team activities and training camp.
According to ESPN.com’s transactions log, the 49ers have already signed 16 players to reserve futures contracts. The list includes:
- DL Jonathan Garvin
- DL Tarron Jackson
- OL Sebastian Gutierrez
- OL Zack Johnson
- OL Drake Nugent
- CB Chase Lucas
- S Jaylen Mahoney
- QB Tanner Mordecai
- WR Terique Owens
- WR Trent Taylor
- TE Mason Pline
- OL Isaac Alarcon
- WR Russell Gage
- WR Isaiah Hodgins
- OL Jalen McKenzie
- DB Quindell Johnson
These players also can not negotiate with other teams throughout the offseason and do not count toward the 90-man roster limit. 10 players finished the year on the Niners’ practice squad, but six players weren’t retained, including running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, defensive tackle Jade Nesta Silvera, safety George Odum, linebacker DaShaun White, and defensive end Alex Barrett.
Jackson, Pline, Hodgins, McKenzie, and Johnson are all new additions to the roster and will be among the group with hopes of at least making the Niners’ practice squad next season.