SANTA CLARA — Other teams are pouncing on the 49ers’ free agents on Day 1 of NFL free agency. Well, at least one team during today’s start of the negotiation window.
The Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC’s three-time reigning champion, are poaching running back Elijah Mitchell and offensive tackle Jaylon Moore, NFL Network reported.
Moore, after 12 starts in four years as the 49ers’ swing tackle, was the first to agree with the Chiefs. He secured a two-year, $30 million deal with $21.24 million guaranteed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported. Mitchell’s deal is worth up to $3.5 million, according to multiple reports.
Monday marked when the start in which free agency offers became legal, signaling the 49ers’ first chance to replenish their roster after a 6-11, last-place effort ended their NFC reign. So far, no players have been linked to them.
Arguably the greatest mystery 49ers fans want solved is whether Joey Bosa will join younger brother Nick on the defensive line, although the elder Bosa has been on the market since getting released Thursday by the Los Angeles Chargers.
As for in-house drama, the 49ers have yet to reach agreements that would keep a slew of starters from becoming unrestricted free agents, those being linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Charvarius Ward, guard Aaron Banks and safety Talanoa Hufanga, the latter of whom is nearing a deal with Denver, ESPN reported.
The majority of deals can not become official until the new league year begins Wednesday at 1 p.m., unless it involves a player who is re-signing with a team or has been released prior to free agency. That is also when trades can become official, including Deebo Samuel’s from the 49ers to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick.
NO MORE MOORE
Jaylon Moore’s fourth and final season with the 49ers served as a fruitful springboard into free agency. Moore has spent most of his career as a fill-in starter for left tackle Trent Williams, who missed the final seven games last season but is expected to return next season.
Moore started five games last season before a quadriceps injury sent him onto the injured reserve list on Christmas. He was a 2021 fifth-round draft pick who started 12 of the 55 games he played for the 49ers.
Moore presumably will serve as the blindside protector of Patrick Mahomes, who beat the 49ers for two of his three Super Bowl wins.
The 49ers’ offensive line lacks depth at tackle behind Williams and right tackle Colton McKivitz, and that unit could also lose left guard Aaron Banks, who is slated to test free agency for the first time. With Moore and Williams on injured reserve, the 49ers’ left tackle for their season finale was Charlie Heck, a rushed-in addition who is now a free agent.
MITCHELL’S FAREWELL
Elijah Mitchell led the 49ers with 963 yards his rookie year as a 2021 sixth-round draft pick. Then injuries derailed his tenure, costing him 18 games from 2022-23 and all of last season; a hamstring injury in the preseason sent him onto injury reserve.
The 49ers have yet to announce whether Jordan Mason, Christian McCaffrey’s top backup, will draw a $5.3 million tender as a restricted free agent.
DALMAN JOINS BROWNS
Drew Dalman, the son of former 49ers center Chris Dalman, is joining the Chicago Bears for a three-year, $42 million deal with $28 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported. Dalman played the past four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, taking over as the starting center the past three years after Alex Mack’s departure for the 49ers.
KINLAW BACK TO DC
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw scored a three-year, $45 million deal with Washington, where he’ll reunite with general manager Adam Peters.
Kinlaw is getting $30 million guaranteed, which is twice more than he made in four seasons with the 49ers as their 2020 top draft pick. He played last season with the New York Jets on a $7.3 million deal. Kinlaw spent part of his youth homeless in Washington D.C.
DEFENSIVE END POOL
Joey Bosa’s asking price could climb the more defensive ends exit the market, and a lot have found riches elsewhere.
His former teammate, Khalil Mack, is staying with the Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal, NFL Network reported. Haason Reddick, he who wrecked Brock Purdy’s elbow in the 2022 season’s NFC Championship Game, is heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year, $14 million contract, ESPN’s Schefter reported.
Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) and Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders), Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Bills) agreed to contract extensions prior to this free agency window.
LINEBACKER MOVES
Greenlaw’s future is at the forefront of many 49ers Faithful’s minds, and the linebacker market has been a doozy, which also could factor into extension talks with Fred Warner, who has two years remaining with unguaranteed salaries at $17.5 million.
Starters who opted to re-sign rather than test the market are Zach Baun (Eagles; three years, $51 million), Nick Bolton (Chiefs; three years, $45 million), Jamien Sherwood (Jets; three years, $45 million), Ernest Jones (Seahawks; three years, $33 million), Derrick Barnes (Lions; three years, $25.5 million), Bobby Wagner (Commanders; one year, $7.5 million), Lavonte David (Bucs; one year, $10 million) and Terrell Bernard (Bills; four years, $50 million).
QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL
Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers’ quarterback from 2017-2022, has agreed to remain in a backup role with the Los Angeles Rams, who recently gave a raise to retain Matthew Stafford as their starter. Garoppolo is staying put on a one-year deal, NFL Network reported.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE MARKET
Forget about D.J. Jones reuniting on the 49ers under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Jones agreed to stay with the Denver Broncos on a three-year, $39 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, ESPN’s Schefter reported.
Jonathan Allen, an eight-year veteran defensive tackle released by Washington, is visiting Minnesota according to several outlets. Allen was reportedly involved in trade talks with the 49ers in the deal that sent Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, but ultimately was released.
The 49ers are allowing Javon Hargrave to explore his options as a free agent and he’s not expected to return. Maliek Collins, a 17-game starter, is expected to be released if the 49ers can’t receive a late-round draft pick via trade. That leaves Jordan Elliott, Evan Anderson and Kalia Davis on the roster at a position of need that is supposed to be one of the strongest positions in the NFL Draft.
A new name surfaced when the Atlanta Falcons released Grady Jarrett, a 10-year veteran with 36 ½ sacks and two Pro Bowls to his name. Jarrett, whose second and third seasons in Atlanta corresponded with Shanahan’s term as Falcons offensive coordinator, played in 17 games last season and had 2 ½ sacks.
Check back for more on this developing story as more deals are brokered.
