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McAfee wonders if Bosa could join brother with 49ers (2:12)
Pat McAfee reacts to the Los Angeles Chargers releasing Joey Bosa and wonders if he would be able to sign with the 49ers to pair with his brother Nick. (2:12)
NFL free agency is almost set to begin, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can then become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the San Francisco 49ers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Luke Farrell, TE
Farrell agreed to a three-year contract worth up to $20.25 million with $11 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
What it means: After losing Charlie Woerner to free agency last offseason, the Niners sought to find a legitimate No. 2 tight end behind George Kittle but were rebuffed in those efforts. This year, they add Farrell, who is known more for his blocking than pass-catching ability, to the mix on a fairly sizable deal (a reported $11 million in guarantees). It’s also fair to wonder if Farrell’s addition influenced the decision to release fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who took a pay cut last year and was scheduled to count $6.496 million against the 2025 salary cap.
What’s the risk: In his four years in Jacksonville, Farrell had just 36 receptions for 318 yards and no touchdowns. Though there’s nothing wrong with paying to improve the blocking at the position, there is also the risk of letting the opponent know what you’re doing any time he is on the field. And while a second tight end has been a need, this is a hefty price for a player who, to this point in his career, has been one-dimensional.
Patrick Taylor Jr., RB
Taylor re-signed on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Niners lost running back Elijah Mitchell to the Chiefs in the opening hours of free agency and Jordan Mason is a restricted free agent drawing interest elsewhere. That helped lead to a reunion with Taylor, who was signed to help on special teams but played a bigger role for the 49ers because of injuries last season. Taylor will likely be battling for a spot on the depth chart again in 2025 but having a year of experience in the system should give him a bit of a head start.
What’s the risk: There’s not much risk to be found in a short-term, cost-effective one-year deal. But the only real concern would come if the 49ers stopped looking to add help at the position. With Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo coming off injury, the 49ers need more depth and competition here. Of course, they almost always draft at least one running back, so it would be a surprise if they didn’t look for more this year.
Richie Grant, S
Grant agreed to a one-year contract.
What it means: After losing Talanoa Hufanga to the Broncos in free agency, the 49ers already have their replacement on the roster in Malik Mustapha. But more depth was and is needed, hence the addition of Grant. In four seasons in Atlanta, he started 33 games with most of those coming in 2022 and 2023. He had 275 tackles, three interceptions and four forced fumbles in 67 total games.
For the 49ers, his immediate role figures to involve plenty of special teams — he averaged 267 special teams snaps per season in Atlanta — while working as a backup to Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown.
What’s the risk: While the 49ers had been planning for Hufanga’s departure, it remains to be seen whether they have enough at the position to improve from last year. Brown struggled through something of a sophomore slump and while Mustapha flashed plenty of potential, he struggled with injury issues. Grant isn’t likely a long-term fix but he has been healthy and available throughout his career. Regardless, the Niners need to continue addressing this position.
Luke Gifford, LB
Gifford agreed to a one-year deal with 49ers.
What it means: The 49ers had the worst special teams unit in the league last year after that group played a significant role in their Super Bowl LVIII loss. And while San Francisco hasn’t been actively adding much in early days of the negotiating window, it does seem to be prioritizing fixing special teams at long last. Gifford was fifth in the NFL last season with 14 special teams tackles and his 49 special teams tackles since entering the league in 2019 is tied for ninth. Gifford also played a career-high 196 snaps on defense in 2024, posting 35 tackles and an interception.
What’s the risk: Much like with the addition of safety Richie Grant, this is a move geared toward special teams and not bolstering a defense that has lost a lot of key players in the past couple of days. Dre Greenlaw‘s departure to Denver might be the most difficult of the losses for the Niners and nobody is expecting Gifford to be that player. But the Niners must continue to address this position given how important it is to have a reliable running mate next to Fred Warner.
Kevin Givens, DT
Givens re-signed on a one-year deal.
What it means: There have been few certainties on the 49ers defensive line in recent years but one name continues to find its way on to the depth chart: Givens. The Niners discovered Givens as an undrafted free agent in 2019, earned a roster spot and has stuck around ever since. In that time, he has played in 65 games with 91 tackles, 8 sacks, three passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Givens is a solid, if unspectacular part of the defensive line and figures to continue providing depth as the 49ers renovate the defensive front yet again.
What’s the risk: The 49ers’ efforts to get their defensive line back to 2019 levels of dominance have continued to come up short, which means no position group on the team needs more attention than this one. Retaining Givens should only be the first in a flurry of moves that brings two new starters on the interior following the releases of Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Don’t be surprised if a defensive tackle is the team’s top target with the No. 11 pick in April’s draft.
