The 49ers add 2 edge rushers on opening day of free agency, AP sources say

Updated Mar. 11, 2024 9:55 p.m. ET

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers targeted edge rushers at the start of free agency, agreeing to two-year deals with Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.

Two people familiar with the deals confirmed on Monday that both players will sign the contracts when the new league year starts on Wednesday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contracts haven't be signed.

Floyd's deal is worth $20 million with $12 million guaranteed and Gross-Matos' contract is worth $18 million, the people said.

Finding pass rushers to play across from Nick Bosa was a high priority for San Francisco with Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory all set to become free agents this week. The Niners are also planning to release defensive tackle Arik Armstead in a cost-cutting move later this week.

The 31-year-old Floyd matched a career high with 10 1/2 sacks last season for Buffalo. Floyd has 58 sacks in 121 games for Chicago, the Rams and Bills.

The move to add Floyd reunites him with one of his former coaches, Brandon Staley, who was hired as a defensive assistant by San Francisco earlier this offseason.

Staley was an assistant in Chicago for two years with Floyd and defensive coordinator for the Rams in 2020 when Floyd had one of his most productive seasons with 10 1/2 sacks.

The 26-year-old Gross-Matos was a second-round pick by Carolina in 2020. He had career highs of 4 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for loss despite playing only 12 games last season. He has 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 55 career games.

San Francisco also gave restricted free agent receiver Jauan Jennings a second-round tender that is worth $4.89 million for 2024. Jennings can still negotiate with other teams, but the Niners can match any offer or get a second-round pick as compensation.

Jennings was a seventh-round pick in 2020. Jennings had 19 catches for 265 yards and a TD in the 2023 regular season. He added 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in three playoff games. Jennings caught and threw a TD pass in the Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.

Jennings has 78 catches for 963 yards and seven TDs in 45 games.

The Niners also agreed to a deal to bring back quarterback Brandon Allen, according to his agent, Kyle Strongin.

Allen was San Francisco's third-string quarterback last season but didn't see any action. With backup Sam Darnold set to become a free agent, the Niners wanted to retain at least one familiar backup to Brock Purdy.

Allen has made nine starts in 15 career games for Denver and Cincinnati.

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