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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 worst free-agent signings in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 1: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after being injured in the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 1, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 1: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after being injured in the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 1, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 08: Stanford Routt #26 the Oakland Raiders makes an interception against Antonio Bryant #81 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of an NFL game at Monster Park on October 8, 2006 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 08: Stanford Routt #26 the Oakland Raiders makes an interception against Antonio Bryant #81 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of an NFL game at Monster Park on October 8, 2006 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Wide Receiver Antonio Bryant

Signed in 2006 to a four-year, $14 million contract

Unlike Tully Banta-Cain, wide receiver Antonio Bryant never had a good season for the 49ers.

At least not off the field.

On it, Bryant was productive at first. He managed back-to-back 100-plus-yard games to kick off 2006, suggesting this NFL free agency signing was a smart one. After that, though, Bryant recorded 50-plus yards just three times.

In total, Bryant had 733 yards on 40 catches and three touchdowns his lone year in San Francisco.

But what makes Bryant’s brief tenure with the Niners even more of a bust were the various off-field and locker-room incidents. There were reports he was showing up late for team meetings. And, of course, there was that November 2006 arrest for reckless driving, driving under the influence and resisting arrest.

Yeah, not a good idea.

The 49ers cut ties with Bryant after just one season into his four-year deal, although the talented-yet-troubled wideout did manage to put together a 1,200-yard season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008 after spending most of the previous year trying to get back into the league.

Still, a major free-agent bust for San Francisco.