The San Francisco 49ers must make judgments on 21 approaching free agents, including who to keep and who to let go. Due to salary cap constraints and different player values, priority is critical. The 49ers should not re-sign these four free agents:
1. Defensive End Allowing Chase Young to walk is an easy decision among prospective free agents. While the 49ers have often benefited from midseason deals for defensive lineman, Young’s time with the organization was not successful. Despite his early promise, Young’s play deteriorated over the season, rendering him unproductive. Furthermore, his lack of effort became apparent, rendering him a substandard contributor.
Chase Young’s influence on the field has been limited, as he is ineffective in both run defense and pass rush. With the probability of Young requesting a contract that exceeds the 49ers’ financial capabilities, a one-year deal worth roughly $8 million may be within his expectations. However, unless he dramatically cuts his wage demands, the 49ers should consider parting ways with him.
Tashaun Gipson, the 49ers’ free safety, should be replaced by a younger player. While Gipson has been a steady defensive player and a valuable free agent addition, his age, 34 when the 2024 season begins, signals it is time for the organization to move on. Providing playing time to a player who is
However, given Talanoa Hufanga’s readiness, the scenario gets more complex. If Hufanga is willing to jump into a starting role with Ji’Ayir Brown, Gipson’s exit becomes more likely. However, if there are concerns about Hufanga’s preparation by the start of the regular season, the 49ers may consider keeping Gipson on temporarily until Hufanga is ready to take over. Nonetheless, the 49ers may choose to rely on internal possibilities to fill the vacancy until Hufanga is deemed ready, which might drive Gipson to explore other opportunities.
Randy Gregory, like Chase Young, did not meet expectations during his time with the 49ers following a midseason move. While Gregory originally showed potential and made a notable impact in the first few games, his effectiveness declined throughout
Despite Randy Gregory’s promise and the resources available to him, including as studying with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek and playing alongside Nick Bosa, he failed to dramatically improve his performance for the 49ers. While he made some significant plays as a depth player, his overall performance fell short of expectations. Given his minimal influence and probable availability at a lower cost, the 49ers may decide to focus their resources elsewhere.
Logan Ryan’s signing by the 49ers could have been influenced by situations such as Talanoa Hufanga’s injury, indicating a preference for seasoned veteran players in secondary. While Ryan’s stint with the squad was adequate, filling responsibilities at safety and in the slot, there comes a point when the reliance on senior players.
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