San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said he's "happy" with the organization and believes there won't be any issues once the sides start discussing a contract extension.

"I have a lot of faith that when the time comes, it will be smooth," Bosa told Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group on Monday.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection is entering the fourth season of his $33.6 million rookie contract, and the Niners already picked up his fifth-year option for 2023.

Bosa won the 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award on the strength of nine sacks after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in that season's draft.

The Ohio State product was limited to two appearances in 2020 before suffering a torn ACL, but he quickly returned to form last year, ranking fourth in the NFL with 15.5 sacks while playing all 17 games.

Last week, 49ers general manager John Lynch stated they're planning to address the 24-year-old edge-rusher's contract situation in 2023.

"His time's coming," Lynch said.

Bosa noted he understands lucrative contracts like the one he's put himself in line to earn often take time to hammer out.

"I know it's one of the hardest negotiation units up there with Paraag [Marathe, the 49ers' executive vice president of football operations] and all those guys," he told Inman. "But I think when they know your value."

The Florida native added he was “lucky” to end up in San Francisco with Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.

"I'm just happy, because this organization is so great. They give you all the resources you need," Bosa said. "They listen to my input. Obviously, you have to get some respect in the building before you can give input, but I have a great relationship with Kyle and John, so it's all good."

If Bosa posts high-end numbers again in 2022, he'll put himself in position to become one of the highest-paid edge-rushers in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt currently has the highest average contract value at $28 million, and it takes $23.5 million to crack the top five, per Spotrac.

The Niners are scheduled to open the regular season Sept. 11 when they visit Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.

Deebo Samuel's three-year, $73.5 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers includes $58.1 million in guaranteed money but also contains some solid incentives should the team continue to utilize him as a running back.

ESPN's Adam Schefter shared the details:

Deebo Samuel will receive $650,000 per year for each year he has 380 or more rushing yards.

Samuel also will earn $150,000 if he scores three rushing TDs in any one year.

He maxes out at $650,000 per year and 1.95 million over the life of his new contract.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2022

Because the 49ers were beset by injuries at the running back position last season—and because Samuel is so dynamic with the ball in his hands—the Niners often used him in a backfield role.

It worked—the 26-year-old Samuel rushed 59 times for 365 yards and eight scores, and the Niners advanced all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

Add in his 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns, and Samuel was one of the most game-changing playmakers in football last year.

But that new role also didn't seem to sit well with Samuel. In April, after Samuel reportedly requested a trade, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show that Samuel wasn't interested in playing both wideout and running back:

Deebo's trade request became public just after we hung up with @TomPelissero in our first hour so we had to call him back to explain what went wrong in San Francisco:#NFL #NFLDraft#FTTB pic.twitter.com/lveW0WP1fD

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 20, 2022

It sounds like there's multiple layers to this. But certainly one of them is Deebo Samuel wants to be a receiver and not a receiver/running back. His rushing attempts were significantly up last season from where they've been in the past. We all know that he's a really, really physical player, but there probably are some concerns here about longevity. The counterpoint to that, of course, is that part of the reason that Deebo Samuel is so valuable is because he's versatile. ... But in the big picture, it sounds like the role is part of the reason that Deebo wants to play somewhere else, where he may just be a true wide receiver and potentially tack on some years to his career.

The Niners didn't trade Samuel, however, and the two sides were able to patch up the relationship and work toward a lucrative extension.

Now, if the Niners continue to use Samuel in that dual-threat role, he'll have some financial incentives potentially coming.

After San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel reportedly received a three-year, $71.6 million contract extension Sunday, Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown took a shot at his former team on social media.

Brown, who received a four-year, $100 million extension when he was traded from the Tennessee Titans to Philadelphia, dismissed the notion that he was the problem in Tennessee:

https://twitter.com/1kalwaysopen_/status/1553902784587698179

Brown likely felt the urge to say something because he's faced waves of criticism from disgruntled Titans fans online throughout the 2022 offseason. Prior to being traded on the night of the NFL draft, Brown expressed his frustration with Tennessee fans who called him out for skipping the team's offseason workouts while awaiting a new contract.

Even after his departure from the Titans, Brown has not held back in addressing fans who troll him online. He declared himself to be "the best receiver to play for [the] franchise" last month while responding to a disparaging tweet.

Brown established himself as one of the best young receivers in the NFL, recording over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons in the league. A chest injury limited him to 13 games in 2021, and he finished with 63 catches for 869 yards and five touchdowns. The Titans, who had the best record in the AFC at 12-5, were 11-2 in the games Brown played.

Now with the Eagles, Brown is expected to have a similar impact on a team hoping to compete for a division title. The 25-year-old should see a ton of volume as the top target of young quarterback Jalen Hurts, and he should open up opportunities for second-year wideout DeVonta Smith.

Deebo Samuel finally got his wish.

Months after expressing frustration over his contract situation, the 2021 first-team All-Pro wide receiver was rewarded with an extension from the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Samuel received a three-year deal worth $71.6 million with $58.1 million guaranteed. Rapoport noted that the extension could reach a maximum of $73.5 million.

This was not easy. From a trade request to totally rebuilding the relationship. But agent Tory Dandy and #49ers brass deal with it all. In the end, no trade. Samuel gets paid. And everything works out. https://t.co/uG4JTVyGkm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2022

Samuel's deal will be added to San Francisco's adjusted salary cap which Spotrac noted was $212.5 million for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old joins a lengthy list of wide receivers to receive massive deals this offseason. Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin and DK Metcalf are among those who earned substantial paydays in recent months.

Samuel is one of the most versatile weapons in the NFL. Last season, he finished with 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns while adding 365 rushing yards and eight more scores, which set an NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a receiver.

In three NFL seasons, Samuel has recorded 167 receptions for 2,598 yards and 10 touchdowns with 550 rushing yards and 11 scores. He's appeared in 38 games, missing one in 2019 and 2021 and nine in 2020.

When Samuel was disgruntled with his contract, he requested a trade from the 49ers. The team fielded offers for him during the NFL draft but never received a package enticing enough to part ways with the star wideout. Samuel reported to training camp last week but chose not to participate in practice while he awaited a new deal.

Now that he's gotten his wish, Samuel is expected to make a huge impact once again for San Francisco. The 49ers are turning to second-year quarterback Trey Lance as their full-time starter, so he will undoubtedly lean on Samuel as his go-to target this season.

The San Francisco 49ers weren't about to let Deebo Samuel go elsewhere after his incredible 2021 season.

The franchise and the wide receiver reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension on Sunday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The #49ers and star weapon Deebo Samuel worked for months and get it done. He lands a huge deal — 3 year extension worth $73.5M max and $71.55M total. The guarantee is $58.1M. He’ll be 29 years old entering the last year of his deal with the potential for another massive one.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2022

The 2022 season was set to be the final year of his rookie contract, but Rapoport reported in January that "both sides are interested in looking at a potential blockbuster deal this offseason."

He noted San Francisco is "among the most proactive teams when it comes to contract extensions" and could look to pay Samuel around $20 million per year.

Yet things appeared to take a drastic turn in April when ESPN's Jeff Darlington reported Samuel told the 49ers he wanted to be traded.

Rapoport added more context to the situation, noting Samuel had "been unwilling to engage" in San Francisco's attempt to offer him a long-term deal. Rapoport reported that "money is not at the root of the issues" and noted Samuel has some "issues with how he's used."

While it once seemed like the two sides would be unable to come to an agreement before a potential trade, that changed with Sunday's developments, which keeps him with the only NFL team he has ever suited up for.

The 49ers selected the South Carolina product with a second-round pick in 2019, and he made an immediate impact with 802 receiving yards, three touchdown catches and three touchdown runs as a rookie.

Samuel appeared primed for a breakout effort in 2020 with some experience under his belt, but injuries limited him to just seven games in his second season. That made him a major question mark coming into the 2021 campaign for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations.

All he did was establish himself as one of the best playmakers in the entire league.

The result was his first career Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro nod as he played wide receiver and running back on the way to 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns to go with 59 carries for 365 yards and eight touchdowns.

He posted an NFL-best 18.2 yards per catch and even threw a touchdown pass.

Samuel is electrifying with the ball in his hands, and that didn't stop in the playoffs when he went over 100 all-purpose yards with a touchdown in the win over the Dallas Cowboys. He had a monster conversion with a run on 3rd-and-7 to set up Robbie Gould's winning field goal in the final moments of the victory over the Green Bay Packers as well.

He also scored a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

While it remains to be seen exactly how he will be used, the newly signed receiver is just 26 years old and has a bright future ahead of him after finding his spot as an all-purpose weapon in an offense that knows how to scheme him open and into space.

The 49ers ensured the next part of that future will happen with them.

The San Francisco 49ers have committed to Trey Lance as their quarterback moving forward, and Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to either be traded or released in the coming weeks.

It's unclear where Garoppolo will end up, but three teams have emerged with the best betting odds to land the quarterback, per DraftKings Sportsbook:

• Seattle Seahawks: +275
• Miami Dolphins: +330
• Houston Texans: +400

It should come as no surprise that the Seahawks are viewed as the betting favorite to land the veteran signal-caller.

After trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason, the Seahawks have some instability at quarterback. Drew Lock and Geno Smith are battling for the QB1 position in training camp, but Garoppolo would be a better option than either player.

Lock appeared in 24 games across three seasons for the Broncos, but he was inconsistent, completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 4,740 yards and 25 touchdowns against 20 interceptions.

Meanwhile, Smith hasn't been a full-time starter since his second year in the league in 2014 with the New York Jets. In 30 games over his first two seasons, he completed 57.5 percent of his passes for 5,571 yards and 25 touchdowns against 34 interceptions.

Since then, Smith has served as a backup for the Jets, New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers, in addition to the Seahawks.

The Dolphins present an interesting landing spot for Garoppolo. Tua Tagovailoa is the team's starter, and Teddy Bridgewater is on board as the backup. However, there is some connection, as Miami's new head coach, Mike McDaniel, worked for the 49ers since 2017 and served as the team's offensive coordinator in 2021.

Should Miami acquire Garoppolo, he would presumably be a replacement for Tagovailoa, not for Bridgewater as a backup. That makes the Dolphins appear not as likely of a landing spot because the franchise has expressed commitment to Tagovailoa.

The 2020 fifth overall pick completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,653 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 13 games last season. He also rushed for 128 yards and three scores.

As for Houston, the Texans started 2021 third-round pick Davis Mills last season while Deshaun Watson sat out in pursuit of a trade. Mills played better than expected, too, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

It appears the Texans are comfortable heading into the 2022 season with Mills under center, allowing him to continue to develop. However, Garoppolo could easily step in and start, hence why Houston is listed as a betting favorite.

Garoppolo, a 2014 second-round pick, spent the first three-and-a-half seasons of his career with the New England Patriots before being traded to the 49ers during the 2017 campaign.

The 30-year-old has struggled with injuries since arriving in San Francisco and has only played two full seasons with the Red and Gold.

During the 2019 season, Garoppolo completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,978 yards and 27 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in 16 games. He led San Francisco to a 13-3 record and a berth in the Super Bowl.

His second full season came in 2021. He completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards and 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 15 games. The 49ers went 9-6 in those games, and he led the team to the NFC Championship Game.

So, while there are questions about Garoppolo, especially after he underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, there's no question he's better than some of the quarterbacks set to start in 2022.

---

Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY).

AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday that the organization and All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel are in contract negotiations.

According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, Shanahan remarked: "I know they're grinding through it. Nothing has been done yet, but I know they're working hard on it."

Shanahan also downplayed the narrative that Samuel's role on offense has impacted contract negotiations, per PFT's Mike Florio:

“Nope,” Shanahan said. “I was wondering about these press conferences. Now it just clicked. Welcome back. No, guys, Deebo and I talk a lot. We’re good. And we understand our role. I know there’s a lot of noise for five months and tweets and a lot of people are repeating what someone said and repeating and repeating and repeating. There’s a lot of negotiations going on. There’s a lot of money involved. It’s a big business deal, but besides everything else, we’re good.”

Samuel, who is coming off a career year that saw him earn first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2022.

ESPN's Jeff Darlington reported in April that Samuel had requested a trade out of San Francisco, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport followed up with a report that Samuel was unhappy with his usage:

From NFL Now: For more than a week, the #49ers have been dealing with a major issue in their WRs room, as Deebo Samuel requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/PDuN2TsjHz

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2022

The manner in which Shanahan utilized Samuel last season made him one of the most productive offensive weapons in the NFL, and it also helped the Niners reach the NFC Championship Game.

Samuel set career highs across the board last season with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns, as well as 365 yards and eight more scores on the ground.

The San Francisco offense essentially ran through the 26-year-old wideout, which is likely why the Niners are doing everything they can to sign him to a long-term deal.

While Samuel is present at training camp, David Lombardi of The Athletic described him this week as a "hold-in" since he is doing work on the side and not taking part in practices.

Samuel was essentially quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's best friend on the field last season, as he often took short passes and turned them into dynamic plays, which is why he led the league with 18.2 yards per catch while finishing second in yards after catch.

The Niners have made it clear that they are transitioning from Garoppolo to second-year man Trey Lance as the starting quarterback in 2022, and Samuel could be even more important with Lance under center.

Lance is a dual-threat quarterback who adds another dimension to the San Francisco offense, and there is no telling what he can do in tandem with Samuel, especially with Shanahan at the controls.

The 49ers will likely have to pay Samuel big money to ensure he is in the lineup for Week 1 of the regular season, though, especially since the likes of Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown, D.J. Moore and DK Metcalf have all received new contracts recently.

Shanahan's comments suggest that Samuel and the Niners may be moving in a positive direction, although they only have a little over a month to get something done before the 2022 season commences.

The words everyone needed to hear finally came out of Kyle Shanahan's mouth.

Everyone already knew the San Francisco 49ers were transitioning from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance as starting quarterback. But confirmation is the first step toward moving on, and the franchise's head coach uttered the obvious for the first time.

"We have moved on to Trey," Shanahan told reporters Tuesday. "We think Jimmy would have been traded if the surgery didn't happen. He needed to do it; there's no ill will there at all. It's good to see that he is healthy, but now it's about seeing how all this will end up.

"We'll always think about Jimmy. He knows we have a team to think about too. We'll work together to find the best thing for that."

With the proclamation, the Niners can officially go about severing ties with their starter of the last four-and-a-half seasons. The organization granted permission for Garoppolo's representation to seek a trade last week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The two sides had to wait because the quarterback chose to have surgery on his throwing shoulder in March. As Shanahan noted, the correction was necessary. Now that Garoppolo is getting up to speed after starting to throw earlier this month, he is an attractive option for multiple teams.

Financially, Garoppolo's deal has a $24.2 million base salary this year.

If San Francisco releases the quarterback before the start of the regular season, the team saves $25.6 million toward this year's salary cap, which can be rolled over to next year or used as part of other contract negotiations. The 49ers aren't forced to make this move since they can still afford both quarterbacks, which gives them leverage in a potential trade scenario, but not much.

A suitor can propose a trade with the intention of renegotiating Garoppolo's deal to lessen that 2022 figure to fit under the salary cap and possibly give the quarterback some guaranteed money since none is left on his contract.

Garoppolo will draw interest from all over the league as a strong veteran backup option if released. But these three landing spots are best-suited for the 30-year-old veteran to immediately step in and serve as the starter this fall.

Houston Texans

A connection to the Houston Texans is glaringly obvious because Nick Caserio is the team's general manager. Caserio previously served as the New England Patriots director of player personnel and helped evaluate and then select Garoppolo in the second round of the 2014 draft.

Houston is also without a set option behind center.

The team said all the right things this offseason about Davis Mills and giving him a fair shot. To be fair, the 2021 third-round pick played well above expectations when thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie. He showed composure in the pocket, made tough throws and improved as the season progressed. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis posted the best accuracy percentage among the '21 crop of quarterbacks.

"Mills just doesn’t have enough help around him, but I do like him and his coaches, and he knows how to play the position," a source told PFF's Doug Kyed.

The supporting cast hasn't gotten much better this year, though the Texans did improve their offensive interior to help with overall protection.

Houston's pursuit of Garoppolo comes down to one factor: Do the Texans believe they can compete sooner rather than later? Those on the outside can easily argue they're one of the league's worst teams. Mills presents some potential, but Garoppolo can be a steadying presence for a franchise still in transition.

Seattle Seahawks

"Pump the brakes. The 49ers aren't going to trade a starting quarterback to another team in the division."

If that's your first reaction, ask yourself the following question: Is San Francisco afraid to face the quarterback it chose to dump after drafting his replacement a year ago?

Think of this as a possible Donovan McNabb-to-Washington scenario.

Yes, Garoppolo is a proven starter. At his best, he's a mid-tier signal-caller. For the Seattle Seahawks, who feature Geno Smith and Drew Lock as their top two options, that's a significant upgrade. For the 49ers, they shouldn't feel threatened by a Garoppolo-led Seahawks squad.

Seattle can also slow-play this situation like others around the league. Because the Seahawks already have Smith as the temporary QB1—a veteran they are comfortable with, as he has been in the system for three years—they can wait to see if San Francisco releases Garoppolo and then sign him relatively cheaply as a free agent.

The real question in Seattle doesn't have anything to do with Garoppolo at all. Is the franchise going to fully embrace a rebuild and aim for a top pick in next year's draft, or will head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider try to win now after trading Russell Wilson?

If the latter is the answer, Garoppolo is the team's best opportunity to compete in the short term.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons may have the league's worst roster. If not, it's pretty darn close. The moment they chose to trade Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts and eat the largest dead cap hit in NFL history, the direction of the franchise wasn't in question.

Atlanta isn't tanking, per se. But it could easily end up with next year's No. 1 overall pick.

Marcus Mariota and third-round rookie Desmond Ridder don't inspire much hope for a quick resurgence. Maybe Mariota will finally find the magic that made him the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2015 after returning to Arthur Smith's offense or Ridder will get his shot and surprise with his performance. Neither scenario seems too likely, though.

Last season, the Falcons remained competitive primarily because of Ryan. The veteran still played relatively well despite a suspect supporting cast, and the squad somehow managed seven wins.

The additions of Bryan Edwards via trade and eighth overall draft pick Drake London make the skill positions more tantalizing with standout tight end Kyle Pitts.

Those targets should intrigue Garoppolo and make Atlanta an interesting landing spot, even if the Falcons are still trying to establish an identity.

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel established himself as one of the best at his position last season, and he's hoping to get paid as such.

Samuel has reported to training camp but is not practicing while he awaits a new deal. San Francisco is reportedly optimistic that a deal will get done soon, but it likely didn't help matters that he watched yet another one of his counterparts get paid before him Thursday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Seattle Seahawks signed wideout DK Metcalf to a three-year extension worth $72 million with $58.2 million guaranteed. He reportedly received a $30 million signing bonus, which is the highest ever for a wide receiver.

Metcalf's deal makes him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league and puts him in company with the many wideouts to earn major paydays this offseason.

WR deals this offseason include:
▫️Davante Adams: 5-yrs, $142M
▫️Tyreek Hill: 4-yrs, $120M
▫️A.J. Brown: 4-yrs, $100M
▫️Stefon Diggs: 4-yrs, $96M
▫️Cooper Kupp: 3-yrs, $80.1M
▫️Terry McLaurin: 3-yrs, $71M
▫️D.J. Moore: 3-yrs, $61.884M
▫️Mike Williams/Chris Godwin: 3-yrs, $60M

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 28, 2022

So what does Metcalf's deal mean for Samuel? Both of them were second-round picks in 2019 with Samuel being selected at No. 36, 18 picks before Metcalf. They both have made similar impacts in their first three seasons, as Metcalf was named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and earned second-team All-Pro honors that year, while Samuel garnered a Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro honors last season.

While Metcalf's receiving production exceeds Samuel's, the latter has a versatility that is unmatched. San Francisco uses Samuel in a variety of ways, making him one of the more dangerous weapons in the NFL. He has 11 career rushing touchdowns, recording eight in 2021.

Based on Samuel's value and usage as a receiver-running back hybrid, negotiations for an extension can be tricky. The 26-year-old also has an extensive injury history, having never played a full season in his first three years.

It can be expected that Samuel's extension will compare favorably to Metcalf's, but San Francisco likely will include some protection for itself in a new deal. Samuel will likely receive similar guaranteed money and a similar average annual value, with possibly another year added to the deal. An extension in the range of four years and $100 million could be enough to entice Samuel to sign.

San Francisco should hope to get a deal done soon. The team is turning to second-year quarterback Trey Lance as its starter this season, so he will need all the weapons he can get. The 49ers will have their first padded practice Monday, so having Samuel present and happy with a new deal will go a long way toward San Francisco's preparations for the upcoming year.

Defensive lineman Dee Ford is no longer a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFC West team announced Wednesday that it had released Ford. He played the past three seasons with the 49ers after they acquired him from the Kansas City Chiefs via trade in March 2019.

The Auburn product never lived up to expectations in San Francisco in large part because of injury concerns.

He was a Pro Bowler with the Chiefs in his final season when he tallied 55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and a league-best seven forced fumbles but never reached that level in the NFC. While Ford posted a solid 6.5 sacks in 11 games in 2019, he appeared in just one contest in 2020 and six games this past year.

The 31-year-old managed three sacks in those six games in 2021, but it was a far cry from when he was at his best in Kansas City.

Ford has two seasons with double-digit sack totals in his career but will likely always be associated with an infamous play that contributed to the end of the Chiefs' 2018 campaign.

Kansas City appeared to all but clinch an AFC Championship Game victory over the New England Patriots when Tom Brady threw an interception in the final minute with his side trailing by four, but Ford lined up in the neutral zone to start the play.

The Chiefs missed out on a chance to play in the Super Bowl when they eventually lost in overtime and, in a cruel twist of fate, defeated Ford's 49ers with the Lombardi Trophy at stake the following season.

Ford is still looking for that elusive Super Bowl victory and will have to do so on a different team than San Francisco following his release.