The San Francisco 49ers revamped multiple positions this offseason, including their secondary. Key veterans like Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, and Isaac Yiadom left in free agency, and the 49ers used their first five draft picks on defenders to help kickstart a new era in San Francisco.
It turns out, however, GM John Lynch isn't done trying to add to the defensive unit. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported on Friday that the 49ers aggressively pursued cornerback Damon Arnette Jr. in free agency before the 28-year-old signed with the Houston Texans.
#Texans weren't the only #NFL team interested in Damon Arnette Jr. #49ers general manager John Lynch discussed him with UFL. #Packers were another team that explored Arnette option @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 27, 2025
“It was a couple of teams that were reaching out on him,” Johnston said. “He’s got… https://t.co/dMeoGj7Skt
49ers Wanted to Sign CB Damon Arnette Jr.
Wilson spoke with UFL executive Daryl Johnston, who revealed that Lynch had reached out to him to get intel on Arnette. The former first-round pick had signed with UFL's Houston Roughnecks last season and had a productive campaign. He turned heads there, attracting interest from a few NFL teams, including the Packers and the Texans, in addition to the 49ers.
Why Arnette chose to sign with the Texans over the 49ers is unclear. Perhaps it was the reported persistence of Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, or Arnette's desire to stay in Houston.
While 49ers fans will hope that failing to sign Arnette doesn't come back to bite them, it is probably good news that the team is still actively looking for upgrades at the cornerback position.
San Francisco will begin the season with Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green as the two starters, with rookie Upton Stout being the favorite at nickelback. Siran Neal will also have a role, and Darrell Luter Jr. looks set to earn the CB3 job. New signing from the Seahawks, Tre Brown, should also have a spot in the 53-man roster.
Considering that the depth options there leave some to be desired, 49ers fans wouldn't mind the front office being proactive ahead of training camp and bringing in more competition.